Utilization of Consumer Appliances in Smart Grid Services for Coordination with Renewable Energy Sources

The chapter presents an innovative model for increasing consumer participation in smart grid electricity markets. The goal of the research is twofold. Firstly, we aim to develop business models that offer a potential solution to the unpredictable output of solar and wind power plants. The model assumes consumers’ positive attitudes toward green energy and allows them to take an active role in lessening the unpredictability of renewables by offering their household devices in smart grid services. Secondly, we aim to design an IoT infrastructure for the realization of the proposed model based on smart plugs working within a blockchain environment. The software component is extended with a collaborative blockchain-based loyalty scheme with the goal of allowing further consumer incentives. The proposed model has been evaluated through a pilot study of consumer’ attitudes and expected acceptance of in the context of a smart grid in Serbia.