BUSINESS CONCEPT #320 - LOCAL ENERGY TRADING PLATFORM (P2P)
A blockchain-based digital marketplace allowing households with solar panels to sell excess power directly to neighbours.
Executive Summary
This platform is a decentralized energy marketplace that enables Northland residents to trade excess solar power within their own neighborhoods. It serves whānau who want lower energy bills and energy-producing households looking for a fair return on their investment without the "middle-man" of a national retailer.
The Problem & Solution
The Problem: The current "Colonial Grid" is a linear, centralized system where energy value is extracted from the region by offshore-owned retailers. Households with solar panels are often paid pennies for the energy they export, while their neighbours are charged high rates for that same power.
The Solution: We are building a "Mesh Network" of distributed sovereignty. Our blockchain platform allows households to sell energy directly to their neighbours at a mutually beneficial price, bypassing the national grid retailer and keeping wealth in the region.
Target Market
Solar-Equipped Households: Early adopters who have invested in solar and batteries and want a better ROI than traditional buy-back schemes.
Low-Income Whānau: Renters or households without solar who want access to cheaper, locally-produced renewable energy.
Community Facilities & Marae: Hubs with large solar arrays that can act as "anchors" for the local energy market.
Unique Value Proposition (UVP)
We offer "Energy Whanaungatanga." Unlike national retailers that treat energy as a cold commodity, our platform facilitates a relational economy. We provide the technical "Universal Constructor" tools to ensure energy sovereignty, allowing communities to "island" themselves and remain resilient during national grid failures.
Revenue Model
Transaction Fees: A small, transparent percentage fee per kilowatt-hour (kWh) traded on the platform.
Platform Subscription: A low monthly "Sovereign Access" fee for households and businesses to manage their P2P trades.
Hardware Integration: Providing IoT (Internet of Things) smart meters and blockchain nodes for secure energy tracking.
Marketing & Channels
Community "Solar Gardens": Partnering with Marae and community groups to demonstrate the platform in action.
Local Governance Trusts: Working with Iwi trust boards to roll out the platform as part of regional infrastructure resilience.
30-60-90 Day Milestones
30 Days: Complete the functional prototype of the blockchain ledger for secure energy logging.
60 Days: Launch a 10-household pilot project in a localized "Mesh" area to test P2P transaction flow.
90 Days: Open the platform for wider regional enrollment and secure a partnership with a local lines company for grid-access compliance.
Mauri Score Assessment
Te Taiao (Environment): +1. Maximises the use of local renewable energy, reducing the thermodynamic waste associated with long-distance transmission.
Te Ahurea (Culture): +1. Re-establishes the principle of the "Economic Pā" by ensuring resources are shared within the community rather than exported for profit.
Te Tangata (Social): +2. Empowers neighbours to support each other, directly reducing energy poverty and strengthening local Whanaungatanga.
Te Pūtea (Economic): +2. Stops capital flight to national retailers, ensuring the financial value of our regional energy stays in local pockets.
