a16z Crypto Backs Daylight's Decentralized Energy Protocol

a16z Crypto, a venture capital fund known for its investments in crypto and web3 startups, has announced a significant investment in Daylight, a company focused on decentralizing energy management through distributed energy resources (DERs). This move comes as part of a broader trend towards the deployment of DERs like solar panels, batteries, and smart thermostats, which are seen as critical to modernizing the energy grid.

Daylight's Decentralized Protocol

Daylight is developing a decentralized protocol designed to enable developers to program the energy grid using DERs. Initially, the company plans to sell DER data to traditional energy companies, helping them optimize grid management. Over time, Daylight aims to allow anyone to build a virtual power plant with access to DER information and control over their deployment.

A virtual power plant aggregates energy resources to act as a source of energy for the grid, addressing the collective action problem posed by individually owned DERs. By enabling homeowners and businesses to capture and sell data from their energy devices, Daylight's protocol seeks to create a more responsive and efficient energy grid.

Innovative Use Cases

Daylight envisions various use cases for its protocol. For instance, a home equipped with a solar panel, an electric vehicle, and a smart thermostat could generate, store, and discharge energy as needed. The data produced by these devices can be sold to energy companies to improve grid management. Additionally, homes and buildings could pool their energy resources, auctioning them to virtual power plant operators through Daylight's decentralized marketplace.

This setup allows for a competitive market where homeowners and businesses can delegate their energy assets to the highest bidder in real time. It also enables the purchase of excess power from Daylight-connected devices, potentially lowering energy costs across the grid.

Leadership and Expertise

Daylight is led by co-founder and CEO Jason Badeaux, who has extensive experience in the energy sector and a keen interest in crypto. He is joined by co-founders Udit Patel, who has expertise in operating New York's grid, and Evan Caron, a power trader with a background in cutting-edge energy innovation. Together, they bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, supported by a team of energy grid operators, smart contract engineers, and domain experts.

a16z Crypto's Vision

a16z Crypto's investment in Daylight is part of its broader strategy to support innovative solutions in the crypto and web3 space. By backing Daylight, a16z aims to contribute to the modernization and decentralization of the American energy grid, leveraging blockchain technology to enhance grid management and efficiency.

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