In order to launch consumer-to-consumer solar power trading on a trial basis, BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) has entered into an agreement with Australia’s Power Ledger, a global leader in block-chain technology.

With this, BRPL has become the first discom in the country to use Power Ledger’s block chain based platform for peer-to-peer (P2P) solar trading.  “Consumers with rooftop solar infrastructure can sell their excess solar energy to their neighbours even if they don’t have rooftop solar, using energy trading platform.  Thus, even consumers who don’t have roof-top solar will benefit by purchasing cheaper and cleaner electricity, compared to the slab-rate of the discom, which as consumer would otherwise have to pay,” the official said.

A senior discom official said that the pilot project will initially be carried-out amidst the existing and ‘selected group of gated community’ (CGHS) solar consumers in Dwarka who generate around 5-6 MW of solar-power. These consumers will be able to trade solar power their neighboring apartments and buildings using this platform rather than letting it spill-back to the grid, he said.

Amal Sinha, BRPL CEO said that the BSES has been embracing emerging technologies, especially in the space of demand side management and renewable.

“This partnership is yet another testimonial to these efforts. With the exponential growth in our economy and production, the ability to generate clean energy and utilise it across India without the need for a fully centralised grid is critical,” he added.

Sinha further said that realising the importance of distributed generation, we have already built an extensive renewables infrastructure, and this trial with Power Ledger will help us fully utilise that energy. “Basis the outcome, BRPL and Power Ledger will expand the trial to include block chain enabled solutions for group net metering, ‘virtual net metering’, electronic vehicles charging and virtual power plant applications in the near future,” he added. 

Meanwhile, Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd. (Tata Power-DDL) claimed that it has rolled out a pilot project with Zoomcar in a phased manner under which initially 12 electronic vehicles will be used for company’s operations and maintenance activities in North Delhi.