For all who missed it, here is a transcript of the Power Ledger Tech Team ‘Ask Me Anything’ on September 25, 2017Panagiotis, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:00:24 PM]:
Any plans expanding with other forms of green energy such as wind and geothermal energy?
N M, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:03:23 PM]:
Hi, Nuno here. Yes.. It Power Ledger works with any type of energy, the source doesn't matter as long as it can be meteredBrendan Lee, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:02:14 PM]:
Can you please explain the mechanism by which sparkz are created and valued? My understanding is that their value is pegged to a local currency, but also linked to POWR tokens. Does this mean that one POWR token will generate N SPARKZ where N is the value of 1 POWR / minimum divisible currency?
N M, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:08:14 PM]:
The price of POWR is market driven the SPARKZ price is based on certain criteria to be determined by the application hosts.Rawa, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:03:34 PM]:
Hi, can u tell me the token NAME, SYMBOL, DECIMAL and address so I can add it to MEW
N M, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:04:10 PM]:
PowerLedger, POWR, 6, 0x595832f8fc6bf59c85c527fec3740a1b7a361269Mark San, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:04:19 PM]:
What tech stack has been used for the platform?
Garry Hasler, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:18:13 PM]:
Currrently its mainly php with mongo DB.Cameron, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:04:41 PM]:
Q for AMA. Will you have a mechanism for moderating the cost of POWR? That is, will the cost of a POWR bond be completely determined by supply and demand for the token - or will you have some kind of 'safety valve' to protect POWR bondholders from the volatility of the token?
N M, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:06:33 PM]:
If I understood correctly, we will use the secondary token called SPARKZ for thatBrendan Lee, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:09:25 PM]:
QTY of SPARKZ does not necessarily equal QTY of POWR though right? If I understand correct, issuance of SPARKZ will be linked to local currency right?
N M, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:10:14 PM]:
Precisely.Brendan Lee, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:10:43 PM]:
So SPARKZ in different markets will have different values
Garry Hasler, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:11:30 PM]:
Yes, the lowest unit of currency for that country.
Brendan Lee, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:11:41 PM]:
ok
Pickle Rick, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:11:44 PM]:
In regards to what vitalik said at tech crunch. What if ethereum upgrade doesnt happen like its supposed to? Is it purely a delay of transactions on powerledger?
Marc Griffths, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:12:28 PM]:
We will use a consortium Ethereum chain until proof-of-stake is availableNiels, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:13:43 PM]:
Q: Is the powerledger team going to talk to the mainstream users to find out user wishes and prototype the ideas?
N M, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:14:50 PM]:
User feedback's is a big priority at Power Ledger
Marc Griffths, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:15:32 PM]:
Our mission is to democratise power, so yes the wishes of the people are very important to us. Input and ideas very welcome
Jemma Green, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:23:39 PM]:
Absolutely. We are doing surveys and engaging with the market. Eg https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1m6TNGOJ4U_2ombKcqqsiTIQvnvL0TMHYbnXs6drWod8/viewform?edit_requested=true#responsesBrendan Lee, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:14:30 PM]:
If someone is selling via powerledger into a market operating on the NEM in Australia, will the power ledger transactions be over the top of the normal metered connection? How is the power ledger sale electricity removed from the regular metering? Do you have to install a secondary meter, or is it done via some sort of API with the retailer?
Jemma Green, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:26:33 PM]:
It can be done 1 of 3 ways, either integrated into your usual electricity bill, separate to on our platform, or your retailer may do all of the bill on our platformPanagiotis, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:16:58 PM]:
Any future plans to store energy and sell it when it has demand?
Jemma Green, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:22:37 PM]:
Yes we are already doing this at our project at WGVsyotos, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:17:11 PM]:
OK, so the POWR token can not be added to MEW as of now, correct?
N M, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:17:54 PM]:
It's advisable to add the token to the wallet closer to distributionGuilherme B, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:18:03 PM (9/26/17, 2:18:23 PM)]:
Powerledger seeks to expand outside of Australia. How can it combine both innovative tech with IP protection to ensure that other companies around the world won't just copy it's idea and use it in their respective markets?
Brendan Lee, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:19:16 PM]:
How do you guys meter the energy when users are connected to an existing energy market? You have to sell the energy as its generated correct? How instantaneous is that sale process? Millisecond? Second? Minute?
N M, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:20:18 PM]:
Not necessarily, we know what was consumed and exported, the sale can happen later at any time.Mark San, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:19:25 PM]:
How does the platform connect to the smart meters
Jemma Green, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:21:59 PM]:
Via wifi or cable internetGarry Hasler, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:21:49 PM]:
We work closely with some major smart meter manufacturers which allow us to access meter information securely and discretely.Brendan Lee, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:20:38 PM]:
Ok so you use the network meter?
Jemma Green, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:21:43 PM]:
YesPanagiotis, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:20:53 PM]:
How the electricity will be deliver? Will it be a cost over the electricity network?
Jemma Green, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:21:35 PM]:
Electricity moves across the existing network. Using meters we measure and record that on the blockchain which becomes the transactionCameron, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:22:03 PM]:
Okay, that seems fair enough. So the size of the bond needed in POWR might change size as the price of the token fluctuates?
N M, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:23:34 PM]:
Its flexible, different conditions for different application hostsMark San, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:23:51 PM]:
Can you speak about the type of security involved with data coming from the smart meters into your platform
Marc Griffths, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:24:41 PM]:
For the transfer, we use SSLGuilherme B, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:23:55 PM]:
Power Ledger wants to operate internationally - What guarantees does it have that other countries won't simply use their idea and beat them to market in these other markets?
What protections can we expect from PL to ensure that they can expand? Is it more in keeping their technology secret and in being able to do things that other's can't copy at the moment or is there going to be an intellectual property protective aspect as well?
Jemma Green, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:25:04 PM]:
We are already working with companies internationally. We obviously take measures to protect our IP. It's a big market so we welcome other entrants.Panagiotis, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:25:35 PM]:
If I am a producer and I dont have the ability to store it, and there is no demand for buying it ? What happens in this situation?
Panagiotis, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:29:23 PM]:
If the project goes well in Australia, in which countries you look after to expand?
Jemma Green, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:30:06 PM]:
India, USA, EuropePanagiotis, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:31:47 PM]:
Do you believe in India people are ready and have the resourses to use a P2P energy system?
Marc Griffths, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:33:03 PM]:
Yes, it's even more applicable in India because existing grid infrastructure is limited. I believe microgrids will be huge in IndiaMark San, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:28:08 PM]:
What is the process for utilities to create their own platform using sparks*
Marc Griffths, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:30:01 PM]:
Application hosts lock sufficient POWR tokens to generate Sparkz for their usersMark San, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:30:26 PM]:
But what is involved in creating their own system
Mark San, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:30:54 PM]:
Do they go through the PL platform? Do they create their own chain
Marc Griffths, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:31:14 PM]:
They'll use the Power Ledger platform, and the same chain as all Power Ledger usersBrendan Lee, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:32:21 PM]:
So as a user in a home connected to the NEM, I would need to subscribe to a retailer who has integrated Powerledger. If I was in an appartment block that had communal solar/storage, would there be a separate Powerledger meter in each appartment?
Mark San, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:34:40 PM]:
What types of issues is origin energy looking at with their trial?
Marc Griffths, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:39:54 PM]:
The trial will test the scalability of the platform with a large customer base. They will also perform analytics on the data we provide, such as the results of our trading engineDinesh Cooray, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:40:51 PM]:
If Origin Energy ends up integrating, does that mean anyone with Origin account eventually be able to trade energy?
Jemma Green, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:41:10 PM]:
Hopefully!Marc Griffths, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:43:39 PM]:
Yes this is a huge advantage of our approach and a differentiator to our competitors. Large scale peer to peer trading will come much faster this way and require less resourcesJ X, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:41:47 PM]:
Looking forward to! I’m a origin energy customer.
Dinesh Cooray, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:42:36 PM]:
Very promising, I hope this becomes a success and we can get more utility providers to connect
James, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:31:59 PM]:
Hello, firstly love the idea and plan to get some tokens. What impact will power prices have on the sparkz coin?
Meagan, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:37:56 PM]:
None, as Sparks are pegged to the local currency, meaning it doesn't fluctuate.James, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:38:56 PM]:
I see thanks Megan, so what's the benefits of owning the POWR token?
Meagan, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:39:23 PM]:
Great question! This document explains just that: https://powerledger.io/media/Power-Ledger-Platform-Token-Interactions.pdfN M, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:39:37 PM]:
The POWR token has many use cases such as renting or owning renewable assetsDinesh Cooray, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:44:12 PM]:
If I generate energy with wind (currently looking at options to go with my solar), how would power ledger know what source energy is generated from? Asking cos of solar energy limitation now
Marc Griffths, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:45:34 PM]:
Presently all sources would be at the same rate for a given moment
N M, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:46:19 PM]:
The source of the energy although important is irrelevant. 1kw is always equal to 1kw, no matter the source.
Marc Griffths, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:47:00 PM]:
You can generate sparkz from your wind energy alsoBrendan Lee, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:46:35 PM]:
Ok, but can you set a price based on a particular time of the day? And how long is a 'moment'? (i.e. minimum trackable unit of energy?)
Marc Griffths, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:47:42 PM]:
Yes prices can be set on a scheduleBrendan Lee, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:56:34 PM]:
Can the price be set dynamically based on some other inputs (e.g. NEM spot price?_
N M, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:59:31 PM (9/26/17, 2:59:47 PM)]:
For now the Sparkz price is pegged to the local currency, assets will also have the possibility to be traded in the future allowing for some more flexibilityMarc Griffths, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:58:56 PM]:
Not at present, but in the future will be more dynamicMark San, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:59:04 PM]:
Do users need to have a smart meter to only 'buy' electricity using the platform?
Marc Griffths, [Sep 26, 2017, 3:00:50 PM]:
Yes smart meter required for all trading, including to buyBrendan Lee, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:59:11 PM]:
Cool
Brendan Lee, [Sep 26, 2017, 3:01:46 PM]:
Question on the smart meter, how smart does it need to be? I am in QLD and have a digital meter, but fairly sure it's not 'Smart'. I am fairly certain this is the case for 95% of people
Does this mean a new meter installation is required?
Marc Griffths, [Sep 26, 2017, 3:02:40 PM]:
Nope, we will get your readings from your retailerKung Fu Panda, [Sep 26, 2017, 3:02:45 PM]:
With power of choice coming in December 1st everyone will have a smart meter soon enough
Steve, [Sep 26, 2017, 3:03:11 PM]:
I've got my fingers crossed for you guys!
Marc Griffths, [Sep 26, 2017, 3:03:46 PM]:
The platform also supports trading without a retailer in countries where this is legal... in this case your own smart meter would be required
N M, [Sep 26, 2017, 3:08:05 PM (9/26/17, 3:08:39 PM)]:
A smart meter ensures the validity, security and privacy of the collected data, it also facilitates the data collectionPickle Rick, [Sep 26, 2017, 2:58:45 PM]:
Does an individual with origin energy (lets say partnership goes ahead) need to purchase powr coins to do peer 2 peer trading?
N M, [Sep 26, 2017, 3:11:02 PM (9/26/17, 3:11:43 PM)]:
At the moment you would need to buy sparkz from the application host, although it is in our plans to have a powr to sparkz exchange for the user
Brendan Lee, [Sep 26, 2017, 3:04:56 PM]:
Ok so is the platform completely remote to the customer site? i.e. no hardware in each home? Does that also mean you have to reconcile the billing each time the meter is read? How can you determine what time given energy was generated/sold/purchased?
Marc Griffths, [Sep 26, 2017, 3:11:04 PM]:
We would need readings for short specific time intervals
Brendan Lee, [Sep 26, 2017, 3:12:35 PM]:
So retailer would need to provide data with N minute incremental readings. N then becomes the minimum billable time period on the blockchain
Marc Griffths, [Sep 26, 2017, 3:14:13 PM]:
Yes correct
Brendan Lee, [Sep 26, 2017, 3:14:53 PM]:
thank you
Brendan Lee, [Sep 26, 2017, 3:01:44 PM]:
Question on the smart meter, how smart does it need to be? I am in QLD and have a digital meter, but fairly sure it's not 'Smart'. I am fairly certain this is the case for 95% of people
Does this mean a new meter installation is required?
Marc Griffths, [Sep 26, 2017, 3:02:38 PM]:
Nope, we will get your readings from your retailer
Marc Griffths, [Sep 26, 2017, 3:03:44 PM]:
The platform also supports trading without a retailer in countries where this is legal... in this case your own smart meter would be required
Pickle Rick, [Sep 26, 2017, 3:04:30 PM]:
Will extreme network conditions (frequency/voltage events) affect the blockchain at all?
Bill, [Sep 26, 2017, 3:04:32 PM]:
origin or such incumbents provide infrastructure for other smaller / localized application hosts?
Brendan Lee, [Sep 26, 2017, 3:04:54 PM]:
Ok so is the platform completely remote to the customer site? i.e. no hardware in each home? Does that also mean you have to reconcile the billing each time the meter is read? How can you determine what time given energy was generated/sold/purchased?
Mark San, [Sep 26, 2017, 3:05:18 PM]:
Why is a smart meter required to purchase electricity from the PL platform, wouldn't the utility companies be providing the energy back
N M, [Sep 26, 2017, 3:08:03 PM (9/26/17, 3:08:39 PM)]:
A smart meter ensures the validity, security and privacy of the collected data, it also facilitates the data collection
Mark San, [Sep 26, 2017, 3:09:27 PM]:
N i see thanks
Meagan, [Sep 26, 2017, 3:09:55 PM]:
No, the platform is mom and pop friendly. Sparkz are bought with fiat as well.
N M, [Sep 26, 2017, 3:11:00 PM (9/26/17, 3:11:43 PM)]:
At the moment you would need to buy sparkz from the application host, although it is in our plans to have a powr to sparkz exchange for the user
Marc Griffths, [Sep 26, 2017, 3:11:02 PM]:
We would need readings for short specific time intervals
Brendan Lee, [Sep 26, 2017, 3:12:33 PM]:
So retailer would need to provide data with N minute incremental readings. N then becomes the minimum billable time period on the blockchain
Marc Griffths, [Sep 26, 2017, 3:14:11 PM]:
Yes correct
Brendan Lee, [Sep 26, 2017, 3:14:51 PM]:
thank you
Meagan, [Sep 26, 2017, 3:16:50 PM]:
HUGE thank you to the Tech Guys who popped in!!! THE AMA IS OVER!