# DIVE - Digital Identities as Trust Anchors in the Energy System

> 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.

**Sector:** Tertiary sector · **Industry:** Energy utilities · **Organisation:** Deutsche Energie-Agentur (dena), Energy Web, Fraunhofer FIT · **Maturity level:** Pilot

Canonical URL: https://www.sapientblock.com/en/use-cases/deutsche-energie-agentur-energiezaehler-digital-identifizieren

## 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.

## Benefits

- Significant cost savings through automation of registration and certification processes for energy plants.
- More transparent proof of origin enables consumers to make more informed decisions when choosing electricity tariffs.
- 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.
- Relief from repetitive administrative tasks enables focus on strategic and analytical activities.

## Challenges

- High initial investments in blockchain infrastructure and training are required for successful implementation.
- 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.
- 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.

## Sources

- [DIVE – Digitale Identitäten als Vertrauensanker im Energiesystem](https://www.dena.de/projekte/dive-digitale-identitaeten-als-vertrauensanker-im-energiesystem/)
- [DIVE-Abschlussberichtsreihe: Digitale Identitäten im Energiesektor](https://future-energy-lab.de/news/dive-abschlussberichtsreihe-digitale-identitaeten-im-energiesektor/)
- [DIVE Anwendungsfälle](https://www.dena.de/fileadmin/dena/Publikationen/PDFs/2025/DIVE_03_Anwendungsfaelle.pdf)