DIVE - Digital Identities as Trust Anchors in the Energy System
Sector: Tertiary sector · Industry: Energy utilities · Organisation: Deutsche Energie-Agentur (dena), Energy Web, Fraunhofer FIT · Maturity level: Pilot
DIVE is a completed pilot project that developed and successfully tested digital machine identities for energy assets based on the KILT blockchain. The project enables energy generation facilities to autonomously identify themselves and automatically process operations such as green certificate registration or supplier changes. By utilizing Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) technology, double marketing can be prevented and granular certificates of origin can be automatically created.
Documentation status
- Project status: Pilot
- Evidence: Evidence high
- Editorial review: Ufuk Avci, 15 April 2026
Description
The dena Future Energy Lab launched DIVE (June 2023 – December 2024) as a follow-up project to the Blockchain Machine Identity Ledger (BMIL). Core concept: Every energy plant — from solar roofs to home storage to e-charging stations — receives a digital identity based on SSI (Self-Sovereign Identity), anchored in a blockchain-based register. This enables automated, trustworthy switching between use cases such as self-consumption, flexibility markets or energy sharing.
The dena Future Energy Lab launched DIVE with the consortium: FfE Munich, Energy Web (KILT Protocol), OLI Systems, Fraunhofer FIT, fieldfisher (legal advice), 50Hertz, TenneT, TransnetBW, EnBW, Charging Radar, Numbat Energy among others. The energy system of the future consists of millions of small plants — each must be uniquely identifiable so that it can automatically switch between use cases. DIVE piloted three concrete use cases: (1) Fine-grained green electricity certificates — proof of origin of electricity on an hourly rather than annual basis. (2) Participation of small plants in flexibility markets — grid operators can verify whether a plant really exists and is available. (3) Fast supplier switching at e-charging stations. Basis: Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) — the same principle as the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI). DIVE used smart meter gateways, energy management systems, verifiable credentials and a blockchain-based register. Result according to final report: The system works practically — registration in the register, registration of granular green electricity certificates, switching between use cases and avoidance of double marketing could be implemented digitally and automatically.
Perspectives
B2B — organisations perspective
Grid operators, energy suppliers and flexibility market operators can verify via the DIVE infrastructure whether a plant really exists, what capacity it has and whether it is available — without manual processes or a central identity provider.
B2C — consumers perspective
Prosumers with solar roof systems or home storage can receive fine-grained green electricity certificates for their generated power — hour-accurate proof of origin instead of general annual certificates. This significantly increases the value of their feed-in.
Employees perspective
Employees are relieved from manual registration and certification processes as these are automated by smart contracts. At the same time, new jobs arise in blockchain management and digital identity administration for energy systems.
Benefits
General
- Automated creation and management of green electricity certificates reduces manual errors and administrative effort.
- Avoidance of double marketing through unique digital identities of energy plants.
- Increased transparency and traceability of energy origin strengthens trust in green electricity certificates.
B2B — organisations
- Significant cost savings through automation of registration and certification processes for energy plants.
B2C — consumers
- More transparent proof of origin enables consumers to make more informed decisions when choosing electricity tariffs.
Employees
- Relief from repetitive administrative tasks enables focus on strategic and analytical activities.
Challenges
General
- Regulatory uncertainties exist as the law is not yet fully adapted to decentralized blockchain systems.
- Integration into existing legacy systems and market structures requires complex technical adjustments.
B2B — organisations
- High initial investments in blockchain infrastructure and training are required for successful implementation.
Employees
- New technical skills in blockchain and digital identities must be acquired.
Technology foundation
DIVE uses the KILT blockchain as a public-permissionless blockchain basis for a decentralized identity register with Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) technology. This technology is particularly suitable as it enables energy plants to manage their own digital identity and conduct trustworthy transactions without a central control point.
Implementation examples
DIVE pilot project for digital energy plant identities
The consortium wanted to prove the feasibility of digital machine identities for automating energy market processes. The aim was to reduce manual administrative processes and simplify the integration of decentralised energy systems.
The dena consortium successfully developed and tested digital identities for real energy installations, including prosumer households.
The DIVE consortium, led by the German Energy Agency, implemented a comprehensive system of digital identities for energy installations based on the KILT Blockchain. Real energy generation plants were equipped with digital identities and tested in various use cases, including automated guarantees of origin, supplier switching, and flexibility offers. The project successfully demonstrated the practical applicability of SSI technology in the energy sector and published a five-part final report series.
Double marketing of green electricity certificates was prevented by unique digital identities. Complex manual registration and certification processes were replaced by automated smart contract-based solutions.
Tags
Digital identity, Green electricity certificates, Smart contracts, Energy trading, Automation