Blockchain-Enabled Techniques for Energy Internet of Things: A Review

The Internet of Things (IoT) technology involved in applications such as microgrids, new energy vehicles, smart charging piles, smart home and other intelligent equipment with function of energy prosumer is called the Energy Internet of Things (EIoT), which aims to create a better environment to manage energy data as well as to enhance efficiency of the information exchange. EIoT has become a vital role in the energy field. However, a challenge facing the widespread adoption of EIoT is the issue of data leakage caused by nontransparent and untrusted energy market. Blockchain technology has the characteristics of decentralization, traceability, and no need for a third-party trust mechanism. It can be synergistic and complementary with EIoT to improve its security. This paper aims to study the integration of blockchain and EIoT. We present the typical applications of blockchain in the EIoT field from the three technical dimensions of smart contract, consensus protocol, and cross-chain communication. In addition, we summarize the performance evaluation methods of the blockchain-based EIoT scheme. Furthermore, we discuss the challenges associated with blockchain technology in the field of EIoT, and also presented the state-of-the-art research works addressing these challenges.