Self Sovereign Identity (SSI) in the energy sectorThe energy landscape is being transformed as decentralised assets like electric vehicles and other flexible devices are increasingly adopted by consumers. These assets have the potential to provide a significant amount of flexibility to the electricity grid. Allowing them to securely interact with the grid is of key importance. One approach to digital identities, Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI), carries the ability to facilitate the integration of flexible assets into the system whilst reducing data and security-related concerns. SSI allows each entity to be verified, so enabling a secure and efficient energy transition.
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SSI, a tool for the futureThe solutionSelf-Sovereign Identity (SSI) is an innovative solution that offers digital identities to both humans and assets, ensuring their secure and efficient identification and verification as part of a dynamic, decentralised environment.For what purposeAs we move away from relying on traditional power plants for our energy, an increasing amount of decentralised sources of energy (such as solar panels, batteries and electric vehicles) needs to be integrated into our electricity systems. These sources need to be accurately identified and verified as they are connected to the system. Energy suppliers, utility companies and consumers will need to share reliable and verifiable information – from technical specifications through to contracts and charging tariffs – about these new sources, in order to maintain the system´s stability and efficiency.
How does SSI affect me?Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) is a transformative approach to digital identification which empowers both individuals and entities. As our world becomes increasingly interconnected, the need for secure, transparent, and user-controlled identification methods is clear. Whether you're a consumer, an energy aggregator, or a product manufacturer, SSI has the potential to reshape your interactions with players from across the sector, granting you both convenience and security. The sections that follow provide more information about the relevance of SSI in line with your unique position in the sector.
As a consumerAs the electricity system shifts from one in which production follows consumption to one in which consumption follows production, consumers will be able to be rewarded for helping to maintain the grid’s stability, including through the provision of flexibility. Consumers will need practical tools for managing who should have access to their information and managing their consent choices with respect to different energy sector participants. SSI provides an excellent way of meeting these needs.
As an energy aggregatorSSI will give aggregators access to asset registries, allowing to have a secure and up-to-date database of information about the assets they manage. Their onboarding of new customers will be greatly facilitated thanks to the in-built consent management features of SSI.
As a product manufacturerOriginal Equipment Manufacturers, such as manufacturers of electric vehicles, will be able to offer complementary services through their products. These could include energy services, car rentals and integrated vehicle registration, all of which could lead to new sources of revenue.
Try out our demoOur demo will show you how easy it is to register an electric vehicle as part of a flexibility pool through the use of SSI. Providing flexibility in this way will help you enhance the stability of the electricity grid, and will earn you a well-deserved reward.
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What could SSI be used for?
Metering Data AccessDirect access to metering data is available in high-voltage systems. In order to access detailed data from across low-voltage power systems (including from single assets), a comprehensive permission management system is needed.
Asset registriesPower systems have centralised asset registries. The increasing number of decentralised assets in low-voltage markets means there is a need for scalable asset management solutions.
Contract ServicesWith regards to contractual procedures, SSI addresses scaling and verification challenges by reducing costs through the enabling of digital signatures and identity confirmation. Using SSI simplifies the process of sharing energy data by streamlining consent procedures and granting users greater control over how they can share and store their information.
Want to know more?Elia firmly believes that this technology will provide valuable assistance in the enabling of the energy transition. We are delighted to present our whitepaper, detailing how this technology will revolutionize the requirements of the electrical grid, openly and without any obligations. Additionally, we are pleased to share the code of our collaborative creation with EnergyWeb – the exchange protocol – as a token of our commitment to this cause.
WhitepaperSSI in the energy sector whitepaperElia Group sees SSI as a way to automate and optimise processes both in high-voltage and low-voltage markets, particularly in terms of customer and asset onboarding. This paper describes the use cases related to this new technology.
Go to whitepaper
Source codeVC-API implementationAlong with EnergyWeb, we at Elia Group have developed an open-source implementation of the VC-API exchange protocol. This implementation is designed to streamline the integration of SSI technologies by employing standardised concepts which are known to a wide range of companies.
Go to Github
Contact usAs an owner of two transmission system operators, we are excited about the potential benefits that SSI can deliver to the energy sector and society as a whole. We are eager to share the lessons we have learned and best practice in order to promote flexibility and progress. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us – our team would be glad to help!
