Blockchain-Based Decentralized Digitalization of the Prominent Geothermal District Heating System Services

The digitalization of mainstream services in critical energy infrastructures and major industrial processes has become increasingly essential and has accelerated in recent years. Among various district heating options, geothermal-sourced district heating networks offer a cleaner pathway toward a low-carbon future, especially when compared to systems based on coal-fired boilers, natural gas, waste heat recovery, waste-to-energy, biomass, or oil-fired boilers, all of which produce significant emissions. In the context of emerging 4th and 5th generation (4G and 5G) heating systems, decentralized digitalization plays a central role, and blockchain technology holds significant potential to support this transformation. This study explores key services within geothermal-sourced district heating networks that can be primarily digitalized using blockchain-based platforms. The study also provides valuable insights for the smart contracts, functions, and stakeholder/user authorization tailored to these services.