Renewable energy sources from the perspective of blockchain integration: From theory to application

Renewable Energy (RE) decentralisation has become a means towards energy sustainability due to the revolution in blockchain technology. RE sources have undergone remarkable growth as a result of the privatisation of the energy industry and the boost in incentives and policy initiatives on energy. As supply and demand are affected by a sudden change in weather conditions, a new set of challenges in how electricity systems are managed and operated have emerged. Therefore, a level of flexibility measures for safety and stability is required. Blockchain as an emerging technology is regarded as an essential technological landscape affecting nearly every transaction done over the internet. However, its role in RE is still unclear. Therefore, this study comprehensively explores the theory of blockchain and its status in the RE space. The review revealed that the integration of blockchain technology into RE has received significant attention over the years, which is an indication that existing blockchain research on energy is more focused on RE, as a way of addressing the many challenges in its evolution process, and providing sustainable solutions to replace energy from fossil fuels.