Australian startup Power Ledger announces another blockchain-based energy trading project in Japan

Australian energy trading startup Power Ledger has partnered with Sharing Energy, a Japan-based company focused on the installation and provision of solar energy, to drive renewable energy trading in Japan.

Under the partnership, Sharing Energy will be able to leverage Power Ledger’s blockchain-powered platform to track renewable energy consumption from 100 pre-identified Sharing customers across Kansai, Chubu and Kyushu regions.

From the initial 100 rooftops, the project is expected to grow to more than 55,000 rooftops by the end of 2020.

This, however, is not the first project of Power Ledger in Japan. Last year, the company partnered with Kansai Electric Power Co. (KEPCO) to test peer-to-peer (P2P) renewable energy trading in the country.

Power Ledger chairman and co-founder Dr. Jemma Green said that the partnership with Sharing Energy shows how its blockchain technology can make visions of implementing scalable, renewable energy solutions a reality for partners and communities around the world.

“We are proud of the work we are doing in Japan, and the strides we are making in democratizing energy across the globe. Especially given the increased effort by leading companies like Sharing Energy to embrace a new era of renewable energy,” said Green.

Initially, Power Ledger will provide near real-time usage data to Sharing Energy. From November, Sharing Energy would be able to use Power Ledger’s P2P platform to facilitate trading between sellers and buyers using real-time data from existing smart meters.

The project will help verify the feasibility and scalability of P2P energy trading in Japan and allow Sharing Energy to effectively utilize clean, renewable energy within social systems. In addition, Sharing Energy would also be able to conduct research on energy transactions via Power Ledger’s blockchain-powered platform.

“As our country is reevaluating how people and businesses buy and sell energy, we are fortunate to be working with an established leader like Power Ledger,” said Emiko Koga, president of Sharing Energy. “And we look forward to positively impacting the Japanese energy market alongside them and supporting their commitment to provide clean energy that is affordable and available to all.”

To read about other blockchain-based P2P energy trading initiatives click here.