Decentralized energy systems and blockchain technology: Implications for alleviating energy poverty

The significant potential of Blockchain Technology (BT) to prevent energy poverty is rooted in its decentralized nature and robust security features. This review, strengthened by an extensive bibliometric analysis and topic modeling techniques, uses particular case studies to emphasize the capacity of blockchain to enhance decentralized energy systems and mitigate energy insecurity. The bibliometric analysis quantitatively surveys the dominant research topics, leading contributors, and most active institutions in this field, thereby enriching our comprehension of the existing research environment. Existing research tends to disregard the ethical, legal, and social consequences of applying BT in the energy sector, a research gap that our analysis also brings to light. To circumvent these obstacles and maximize the benefits of blockchain, it is crucial to develop supportive policy structures and Public -Private Partnerships (PPPs). Moreover, carrying out empirical studies focusing on privacy, security, and legal aspects to evaluate the efficacy of blockchain-based interventions in alleviating energy poverty is critical. This study provides insights and suggestions about the possibilities and limitations of BT in tackling energy poverty and sustainable transitions and adds significant value for future research and policy formulation.