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Blockchain is a decentralized, digital, and distributed ledger which allows transparent and secure information sharing among the peer-to-peer network. It eliminates the need for a centralized trusted party and, though it was introduced as the backbone technology for cryptocurrencies but has proved to be a promising and revolutionary technology for almost all global industries. The application of blockchain technology in the energy sector proposes a paradigm of solutions to problems of different levels of complexity in the traditional energy ecosystem. Extensive research has been proposed to exploit the inherent benefits of blockchain technology for the integration of distributed energy sources and facilitate peer-to-peer energy trading. This paper proposes a blockchain-based architecture to facilitate secure and decentralized energy trading generated from renewable energy sources. The solution utilizes the Ethereum blockchain and Smart Contracts for energy trading among the members of a small community without any trusted third entity and adopts features to achieve data integrity and confidentiality, and user identity privacy.
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A global digital identity for all: the next evolution
This paper chronicles the emergence of digital identity as a legal concept, how digital identity has grown in importance at the national level over the past decades and is now poised to become even more important internationally. This work builds on existing scholarship, to consider the next evolution of digital identity from what is now essentially a national concept into a global, legal concept. The examination looks to the likely emergence of a global digital identity for individuals in the near future and asks how that could be achieved. The authors examine the use of blockchain technology as a possible foundation of a global digital identity, along with the necessary development of existing international law on individual rights to support a global digital identity for all. Blockchain is viewed as relatively more secure and it enables individuals to have more control over how their identity information is managed and used. Blockchain’s traceability pro vides advantages for government and the private sector in man aging and verifying identity. It aids the integrity of identity information and related transactions. However, it is important to note that, while blockchain has advantages, its relative immutability can lead to the creation and use of false digital identities that cannot be easily detected or corrected. As this paper discusses, this aspect can undermine the integrity and reliability of digital identity nationally and internationally. Given that blockchain tech nology is fallible, the authors argue that international law has a vital role now and in the future in recognizing the right to digital identity and establishing norms of conduct.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2131515
- PAR ID:
- 10470212
- Editor(s):
- Judith Clifton, Marcos Fernandez-Gutierrez
- Publisher / Repository:
- Taylor & Francis
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Policy Design and Practice
- Edition / Version:
- 1
- Volume:
- 1
- Issue:
- 13
- ISSN:
- 2574129
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 1-13
- Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
- Digital identity, evolution, blockchain, accountability, security
- Format(s):
- Medium: X Size: 521 KB Other: pdf A
- Size(s):
- 521 KB
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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