THREAD: Tired of sifting hype from reality about blockchain & energy? So were we. So @DLatAC, @madisoncfreeman, @fiege_max, & I created the largest, freely-available dataset of global blockchain ventures & dug into the data in our NEW @CFR_org report: cfr.org/report/applyin…
The least radical blockchain applications (think enhanced wholesale markets; NOT replacing centralized grid w P2P) are most likely to succeed & have meaningful impact by helping system operators manage increasingly complex grid. Our quick take on @Axios: axios.com/in-energy-sect…
But in blockchain's up-is-down world, the largest share of startups aim to upend incumbents and massively decentralize the electric power system. That's unlikely to work or add much value. So focus on the smaller slices of the pie, esp ventures working w/ incumbents & regulators 
Our dataset covers blockchain ventures on every continent except Antarctica. It's not the only one—eg, @GTMResearch has an excellent database, but it's behind a paywall. We made ours public so you can use it! We need more systematic research on what blockchain can and cannot do
On top of the number crunching, we dove deep into case studies of three well-publicized blockchain ventures: @LO3energy @ElectronDLT @gridplus_energy. We found plenty of promise but also plenty of hype. Read our report's hard-nosed take on each—here's a summary of what we found:
Blockchain isn't a silver bullet. But it might be one of a suite of digital technologies that collectively transforms the electric power sector and maybe even slows climate change. For a holistic digital vision, read our new book "Digital Decarbonization"!
So—what should policymakers do? Our recommendations are modest. Priority 1 is education: they ought to invest in understanding blockchain (this is self-serving, but read our report!). 2—Support development of technical standards. 3—Create regulatory sandboxes to test innovations
We're grateful to @MichelsonEvan @SloanFoundation for supporting this project, which is part of our broader push to understand the landscape of clean energy innovation and help policymakers identify the most impactful and feasible interventions
