IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v16y2023i17p6147-d1223871.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Blockchain-Based Applications for Smart Grids: An Umbrella Review

Author

Listed:
  • Wenbing Zhao

    (Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA)

  • Quan Qi

    (College of Information Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China)

  • Jiong Zhou

    (School of Public Policy and Administration, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710129, China)

  • Xiong Luo

    (School of Computer and Communication Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China)

Abstract

This article presents an umbrella review of blockchain-based smart grid applications. By umbrella review, we mean that our review is based on systematic reviews of this topic. We aim to synthesize the findings from these systematic reviews and gain deeper insights into this discipline. After studying the systematic reviews, we find it imperative to provide a concise and authoritative description of blockchain technology because many technical inaccuracies permeate many of these papers. This umbrella review is guided by five research questions. The first research question concerns the types of blockchain-based smart grid applications. Existing systematic reviews rarely used a systematic method to classify these applications. To address this issue, we propose a taxonomy of these applications, first by differentiating them based on whether the application is focusing on functional or non-functional aspects of smart grid operations, and then by the specific functions or perspectives that the application aims to implement or enhance. The second research question concerns the roles that blockchain technology plays in smart grid applications. We synthesize the findings by identifying the most prominent benefits that blockchain technology could bring to these applications. We also take the opportunity to point out several common technical mistakes that pervade the blockchain literature, such as equating all forms of blockchains to data immutability. The third research question concerns the guidelines for deciding whether a blockchain-based solution would be useful to address the needs of smart grids. We synthesize the findings by proposing benefit-based guidelines. The fourth research question concerns the maturity levels of blockchain-based smart grid applications. We differentiate between academic-led and industry-led projects. We propose a five-level scale to evaluate the maturity levels. The ranking of the industry-led projects is performed through our own investigation. Our investigation shows that more than half of the industry-led projects mentioned in the systematic reviews are no longer active. Furthermore, although there are numerous news reports and a large number of academic papers published on blockchain-based smart grid applications, very few have been successfully embraced by the industry. The fifth research question concerns the open research issues in the development of blockchain-based smart grid applications. We synthesize the findings and provide our own analysis.

Suggested Citation

  • Wenbing Zhao & Quan Qi & Jiong Zhou & Xiong Luo, 2023. "Blockchain-Based Applications for Smart Grids: An Umbrella Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-35, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:17:p:6147-:d:1223871
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/17/6147/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/17/6147/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jianguo Ding & Attia Qammar & Zhimin Zhang & Ahmad Karim & Huansheng Ning, 2022. "Cyber Threats to Smart Grids: Review, Taxonomy, Potential Solutions, and Future Directions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-37, September.
    2. Sławomir Bielecki & Tadeusz Skoczkowski & Lidia Sobczak & Marcin Wołowicz, 2022. "Electricity Usage Settlement System Based on a Cryptocurrency Instrument," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-35, September.
    3. Vidya Krishnan Mololoth & Saguna Saguna & Christer Åhlund, 2023. "Blockchain and Machine Learning for Future Smart Grids: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-39, January.
    4. Hamzah Khan & Tariq Masood, 2022. "Impact of Blockchain Technology on Smart Grids," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-27, September.
    5. Bhargav Appasani & Sunil Kumar Mishra & Amitkumar V. Jha & Santosh Kumar Mishra & Florentina Magda Enescu & Ioan Sorin Sorlei & Fernando Georgel Bîrleanu & Noureddine Takorabet & Phatiphat Thounthong , 2022. "Blockchain-Enabled Smart Grid Applications: Architecture, Challenges, and Solutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-33, July.
    6. Tanus Bikram Malla & Abhinav Bhattarai & Amrit Parajuli & Ashish Shrestha & Bhupendra Bimal Chhetri & Kamal Chapagain, 2022. "Status, Challenges and Future Directions of Blockchain Technology in Power System: A State of Art Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-26, November.
    7. Alessandra Chiarini & Lorenzo Compagnucci, 2022. "Blockchain, Data Protection and P2P Energy Trading: A Review on Legal and Economic Challenges," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-20, December.
    8. Manuel Casquiço & Bruno Mataloto & Joao C. Ferreira & Vitor Monteiro & Joao L. Afonso & Jose A. Afonso, 2021. "Blockchain and Internet of Things for Electrical Energy Decentralization: A Review and System Architecture," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-26, December.
    9. Filipe Bandeiras & Álvaro Gomes & Mário Gomes & Paulo Coelho, 2023. "Exploring Energy Trading Markets in Smart Grid and Microgrid Systems and Their Implications for Sustainability in Smart Cities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-41, January.
    10. Evgenia Kapassa & Marinos Themistocleous, 2022. "Blockchain Technology Applied in IoV Demand Response Management: A Systematic Literature Review," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-19, April.
    11. David Moher & Alessandro Liberati & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Douglas G Altman & The PRISMA Group, 2009. "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-6, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Tehseen Mazhar & Hafiz Muhammad Irfan & Sunawar Khan & Inayatul Haq & Inam Ullah & Muhammad Iqbal & Habib Hamam, 2023. "Analysis of Cyber Security Attacks and Its Solutions for the Smart grid Using Machine Learning and Blockchain Methods," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-37, February.
    2. Daniel Sousa-Dias & Daniel Amyot & Ashkan Rahimi-Kian & John Mylopoulos, 2023. "A Review of Cybersecurity Concerns for Transactive Energy Markets," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-32, June.
    3. Sagar Hossain & Md. Rokonuzzaman & Kazi Sajedur Rahman & A. K. M. Ahasan Habib & Wen-Shan Tan & Md Mahmud & Shahariar Chowdhury & Sittiporn Channumsin, 2023. "Grid-Vehicle-Grid (G2V2G) Efficient Power Transmission: An Overview of Concept, Operations, Benefits, Concerns, and Future Challenges," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-24, March.
    4. Vitor Monteiro & Joao L. Afonso, 2023. "The Future of Electrical Power Grids: A Direction Rooted in Power Electronics," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-10, June.
    5. Amitkumar V. Jha & Bhargav Appasani & Deepak Kumar Gupta & Bharati S. Ainapure & Nicu Bizon, 2023. "A Blockchain-Enabled Approach for Enhancing Synchrophasor Measurement in Smart Grid 3.0," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-20, October.
    6. Mikołaj Gwiazdowicz & Marek Natkaniec, 2023. "Feature Selection and Model Evaluation for Threat Detection in Smart Grids," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-25, June.
    7. İlkay Unay-Gailhard & Mark A. Brennen, 2022. "How digital communications contribute to shaping the career paths of youth: a review study focused on farming as a career option," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 39(4), pages 1491-1508, December.
    8. Mahin Ghafari & Vali Baigi & Zahra Cheraghi & Amin Doosti-Irani, 2016. "The Prevalence of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Iranian Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(6), pages 1-10, June.
    9. Elizabeth T Cafiero-Fonseca & Andrew Stawasz & Sydney T Johnson & Reiko Sato & David E Bloom, 2017. "The full benefits of adult pneumococcal vaccination: A systematic review," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(10), pages 1-23, October.
    10. Santos Urbina & Sofía Villatoro & Jesús Salinas, 2021. "Self-Regulated Learning and Technology-Enhanced Learning Environments in Higher Education: A Scoping Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-12, June.
    11. Oded Berger-Tal & Alison L Greggor & Biljana Macura & Carrie Ann Adams & Arden Blumenthal & Amos Bouskila & Ulrika Candolin & Carolina Doran & Esteban Fernández-Juricic & Kiyoko M Gotanda & Catherine , 2019. "Systematic reviews and maps as tools for applying behavioral ecology to management and policy," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 30(1), pages 1-8.
    12. Nadine Desrochers & Adèle Paul‐Hus & Jen Pecoskie, 2017. "Five decades of gratitude: A meta‐synthesis of acknowledgments research," Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 68(12), pages 2821-2833, December.
    13. Maryono, Maryono & Killoes, Aditya Marendra & Adhikari, Rajendra & Abdul Aziz, Ammar, 2024. "Agriculture development through multi-stakeholder partnerships in developing countries: A systematic literature review," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 213(C).
    14. Alene Sze Jing Yong & Yi Heng Lim & Mark Wing Loong Cheong & Ednin Hamzah & Siew Li Teoh, 2022. "Willingness-to-pay for cancer treatment and outcome: a systematic review," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 23(6), pages 1037-1057, August.
    15. Xue-Ying Xu & Hong Kong & Rui-Xiang Song & Yu-Han Zhai & Xiao-Fei Wu & Wen-Si Ai & Hong-Bo Liu, 2014. "The Effectiveness of Noninvasive Biomarkers to Predict Hepatitis B-Related Significant Fibrosis and Cirrhosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Test Accuracy," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(6), pages 1-16, June.
    16. Vicente Miñana-Signes & Manuel Monfort-Pañego & Javier Valiente, 2021. "Teaching Back Health in the School Setting: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-18, January.
    17. Agnieszka A. Tubis & Katarzyna Grzybowska, 2022. "In Search of Industry 4.0 and Logistics 4.0 in Small-Medium Enterprises—A State of the Art Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-26, November.
    18. Obsa Urgessa Ayana & Jima Degaga, 2022. "Effects of rural electrification on household welfare: a meta-regression analysis," International Review of Economics, Springer;Happiness Economics and Interpersonal Relations (HEIRS), vol. 69(2), pages 209-261, June.
    19. Caloffi, Annalisa & Colovic, Ana & Rizzoli, Valentina & Rossi, Federica, 2023. "Innovation intermediaries' types and functions: A computational analysis of the literature," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    20. García-Poole, Chloe & Byrne, Sonia & Rodrigo, María José, 2019. "How do communities intervene with adolescents at psychosocial risk? A systematic review of positive development programs," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 194-209.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:17:p:6147-:d:1223871. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.