2011 - Earthquake and tsunami in Japan: A magnitude 9.0 earthquake strikes the northeast coast of Japan, triggering a devastating tsunami that causes severe damage and loss of lives, as well as the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
The disaster resulted in the release of large amounts of radiation into the environment, leading to the evacuation of thousands of people from the area near the nuclear plant and leaving many communities devastated.
The disaster also had lasting economic and social effects in Japan, including job losses and disruptions to industrial production. It also posed economic challenges related to compensating victims and recovering damaged infrastructure.
"Power Central" rings a bell?
Electricity, the foundation of the Digital Age, still operates with a business model invented in the late 19th century: The world's first power plant was designed and built by Thomas A. Edison and began operating on September 4, 1882. Perhaps it's time to find something more suitable for this era.
The centralization of electricity generation not only brings problems in terms of vulnerability to disasters and attacks, but also leads us all to assume that the only way to sustain civilization is with that archaic way of thinking; changing this mindset is vital to changing the way we generate energy: one of the main causes of global warming.
In nature, energy is distributed in a decentralized and generous manner: All the energy that flora and fauna use to live comes from the sun. Just like all the energy that the seas and the wind use to move.
Decentralized generation: 22 thousand times more powerful.
The total amount of energy that reaches the Earth is at least 22 thousand times what all power plants in the world produce every day. To harness it, we simply need to be smarter. Energy manifests itself around you in a thousand ways, and today there is technology to harness each of them.
The techniques for generating electricity have multiplied, not only are there traditional photovoltaic cells and wind turbines that everyone identifies as the only options for renewable energy, here are little-known methods for producing electricity in a decentralized way, and only a little push is needed in their research and development so that they can be implemented commercially:
Phytoelectricity - Are there plants around you? Phytoelectric generation involves the use of living plants to generate electricity through natural biochemical processes, such as photosynthesis and respiration. If you do a Google search, you have to put it in quotes because otherwise it will take you to Photoelectricity.
Stirling Engines - Is there light and shade around you? Then you could generate power with a Stirling engine! A device that converts temperature differences into mechanical energy and therefore easily into electrical energy.
Syngas - Does your community generates trash? Organic matter can be converted into syngas, thus avoiding the extraction of hydrocarbons. Syngas can easily use the current natural gas infrastructure, and it can also be used to obtain hydrogen.
Local Hydrogen - Are there clouds or a bit of moisture around you? Water can be condensed and separated into its components locally. We all know the potential of hydrogen to drive the economy of the future - what has stopped its development is the centralizing mindset (Storage and distribution).
Web3 and Decentralized Energy Markets.
Having tackled the Decentralized energy generation How does web3 help?
A decentralized energy market based on blockchain (web3) functions as a digital platform that allows users to buy, sell, and trade electricity directly with each other, without the need for traditional intermediaries such as electric companies.
Here's a basic description of how this type of market works:
1. Registration on the platform: Users, who can be renewable energy producers, end consumers, or any entity with the capacity to generate or consume electricity, register on the decentralized platform.
2. Generation of energy and registration on the blockchain (web3): Energy producers generate electricity, either from renewable sources such as solar or wind, or other sources, and register the energy production on the blockchain (web3). This action can be validated through smart contracts, which automate the process and guarantee the transparency and security of transactions.
3. Transactions between users: Users can buy and sell electricity directly with each other through the platform. For example, a solar energy producer can sell the excess electricity they generate to a nearby consumer, or a consumer with excess energy stored in their energy storage devices (such as batteries) can sell that energy to another user who needs it.
4. Payment and settlement: Transactions are carried out using cryptocurrencies or tokens specific to the platform, which are transferred securely through the blockchain (web3). Smart contracts can automate the payment and settlement process, ensuring that transactions are carried out reliably and without the need for traditional intermediaries.
5. Monitoring and management: The platform provides tools for users to track their energy consumption and production, as well as to manage their transactions and cryptocurrency balances.
In summary, a decentralized energy market based on blockchain (web3) harnesses blockchain (web3) technology and smart contracts to enable direct and secure transactions of electricity between users, without the need for traditional intermediaries.
This can lead to greater efficiency, transparency, and autonomy in the energy system, as well as greater integration of renewable energy sources and energy storage technologies.
I hope you enjoyed this crazy dissertation and it sparks ideas in you to create projects, groups, or clubs around your passions!!! Let's chat!!!
Armando Rosales
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