The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory located in Washington, is exploring blockchain application in the management of next-generation power grids, CoinDesk reported.

Carl Imhoff, a manager at the PNNL, made the announcement last week before the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. He said that the research lab applying advanced science and technology cyber resilience concepts as it explores new power system paradigms that are inherently resilient and adaptive.

“With regard to the grid, blockchain could be a part of grid modernization efforts, encourage distributed power generation and storage systems, and help secure emerging market constructs,” Imhoff said.

He also said that the research lab is currently working with DOE and industry partners to determine the optimal use of such resilient data concepts as blockchain in emerging market constructs such as transactive energy.

Earlier this year, the DOE revealed that it was exploring new approaches to leverage blockchain or distributed ledger technology for the realization of robust fossil energy-based systems and was seeking proposals on the potential technical and economic advantages of the technology.

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