Case Study: Smartflow
A deep dive on Smartflow by Energy Web
Smartflow enables enterprises to configure worker nodes — a new technology developed by Energy Web. These nodes comprise distributed computing networks that securely execute sensitive business operations impacting multiple companies. Worker nodes themselves are decentralized nodes controlled by companies or individuals who have staked Energy Web tokens in order to become trusted worker node operators. All nodes are anchored to the Energy Web X parachain, itself a Parachain on the Polkadot network.
This technology was originally developed to solve a paradox that hinders advanced renewable energy tracking solutions like renewable matching and green electric vehicle charging: credibility relies on accurate, publicly verifiable results (e.g., proof that digital representations of renewables are not double-counted). But inputs from separate organizations, such as granular renewable energy production and electricity demand data, are commercially sensitive and need to remain private. Complex commercial, legal, and technical requirements often make it challenging for a single actor to unilaterally access and process all requisite data. The ability to establish a shared source of truth from segregated, individual information sources has been an ongoing challenge in multilateral settings; the challenge is even greater for energy market participants seeking to exchange and process granular data in order to procure services from distributed energy resources.
Smartflow solves these challenges by enabling enterprises to configure, launch, and maintain distributed computing networks that ingest data from external sources, execute custom workflows based on business logic, and vote on results in order to establish consensus and trustworthy results without revealing or modifying the underlying data. Worker Nodes apply proven and tested concepts and components from blockchain technology in a novel, enterprise-friendly architecture to provide all stakeholders with cryptographic proof that mutually-agreed rules and and processes are followed correctly, ensure computational outputs from business processes are correct, trustworthy, and preserve the privacy and integrity of underlying data for auditing purposes.
In addition to Smartflow being used as a generic configuration tool for any enterprise by Energy Web customers, the following are examples of existing worker node networks configured using Smartflow:
- Worker nodes supporting the Maritime Shipping registry supported by the Maersk McKinney Moller center for Zero Carbon Shipping
- Worker nodes are also supporting a recently released solution for green electric vehicle charging on Energy Web X, Autogreencharge
- A network of nodes powering the Sustainable Aviation Fuel registry in partnership with the Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance
- A network of worker nodes is currently powering the Digital Spine solution supporting multiple grid decarbonization projects
How Smartflow and Worker Nodes Work: Worker nodes can be implemented in any development framework, including node.js, python, and rust. Each worker node is programmed to execute a specific conditional logic workflow based on a predefined dataset (i.e. source and schema) and event trigger (e.g. a regular time interval, or a specific external event). Workers are given read-only access to one or more external data sources via API or message broker. When the workflow “event” is triggered, the workers initiate a round of calculation and voting (worker nodes can be configured to either poll an external data source at regular intervals, or “listen” to an external source for a specific trigger).
In the calculation step, each worker node independently executes the same conditional logic based on the data it received during the trigger. Then, each worker submits its results (i.e. output of the logic workflow) to the smart contract, which collates the worker nodes’ votes into a unique voting round and keeps track of each round to maintain continuity. The smart contract defines a voting threshold (typically a simple majority, such as 2 of 3, or 4 of 7, etc.) that must be reached in order to establish consensus on the results of each voting round. Each voting round is defined by a voting ID, the number of unique votes (from worker nodes), and a consensus result. If the threshold is reached (i.e. a majority of nodes independently reach the same conclusion and submit identical results to the vote), then the voting round is closed and the result is hashed on the Energy Web X Parachain; this creates a connected tree of results that can be queried and validated for auditing purposes. If consensus is not reached in the voting round, the entire process from event trigger through voting is repeated; if a second round fails, a custom workflow is executed (this can include alerts, failover to other nodes, or acceptance of results from a plurality of workers).
In addition to collating the voting results, the smart contract is configured to issue rewards for workers in the pool based on performance criteria. A base reward can be issued simply for workers being available in the pool, and additional rewards can be issued based on metrics such as consistency (i.e. availability for all voting rounds), accuracy (i.e. being part of the winning consensus), and speed (i.e. being fastest to submit voting results following the event trigger). Workers presenting faulty results are penalized, so the only profitable strategy for a worker is to provide honest, accurate results. This mechanism ensures that the outcome of the process, the consensus reached, can be trusted by everyone, even without knowing all the input data.
This entire process is now abstracted away via Smartflow which enables enterprises to configure their own Worker Node networks in a no-code environment. Please see smartflow.org for additional information.
The infographics below summarize the value proposition of Smartflow. The first graphic shows how solutions are typically configured by enterprises without Smartflow before showing what the new process can be leveraging worker nodes and Smartflow.
Without Smartflow:
With Smartflow:
Industry testimonials:
“As long-time Energy Web supporters, we are excited by the decentralized approach to multi-party computation provided by SmartFlow. It is a digital tool that provides a new kind of trust layer in business relations based on shared information. We are eager to discover how it can be integrated into our processes, and what kind of value it can create,” said Etienne Gehain, New Digital Solutions Director at Engie.
“Energy Web’s collaboration with Deutsche Telekom shows that Web 3 technology can be an important tool in the fight against climate change,” says Dirk Röder, Head of Deutsche Telekom’s Blockchain Solutions Center. “Deutsche Telekom is not only securing the energy grid, but also accelerating progress towards climate targets while promoting renewable energies.”
On Smartflow’s embedded self-sovereign identity solution: “To ensure network security and stability, the integration of renewable energy sources into our energy systems will require household and industrial flexibility to be activated. SSI will be an important tool for creating a registry of decentralised and flexible assets that will allow us to monitor the state of the network and steer these decentralised assets.” Kris Laermans, Innovation at Elia Group
Jasper Verwaal, Digital Assets Manager at Deloitte recently provided the following insights on Energy Web X’s architecture, solutions, and worker nodes: “The architecture Energy Web has already built around asset management, exchanging data, and green proofs…can be seen as public infrastructure. The more standardization that’s in place, the easier it is to adopt common methodologies.” He continued, “Many enterprises find it challenging to put data on-chain. But we hope that Energy Web X will contribute to making it easier to decide what data lives on-chain and what data off-chain.”
Sahas Katta, CEO at Smartcar, the leading connected car API platform and Autogreencharge partner, said “This partnership will empower EV drivers with the knowledge and confidence to maximize the sustainability of their EV charging experience. With Smartcar, Energy Web can seamlessly integrate across diverse vehicle brands, giving more EV drivers access to accurate insights into charging transparency and renewable energy options,” in reference to the new Autogreencharge solution powered by Smartflow, worker nodes, and Energy Web X.
Bryan Fisher, Managing Director at the clean energy nonprofit RMI commenting on the SAFc registry deployed on Energy Web X supported by worker nodes, “The SAFc Registry is the culmination of RMI’s ongoing work to catalyze the sustainable aviation fuel market. By creating a throughline from corporate consumers to fuel producers, we can expand investment in SAF infrastructure and increase supply of low-carbon fuels. Voluntary uptake is critical to scaling a burgeoning market, and we hope this registry can serve as an example for other sectors in the future.”
Frederik Jacobsen, project manager at the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping commenting on the Maritime registry on Energy Web X supported by Smartflow worker nodes: “The collaboration with ZEMBA further strengthens the development of a global Maritime Book and Claim System and underlines how important such a system will be to overcome obstacles to accelerate the adoption of low-emissions fuels at scale.”
“We’re very interested in driving trust and transparency across the supply chain, which is why we’re so excited to join the Energy Web ecosystem,” said Thatcher Young, CEO of CarbonEnfo. “In addition to supporting the public blockchain, we see tremendous value in leveraging the Energy Web technology stack to advance our own application development.”
