Energy as a Currency

The Johan Cruijff ArenA is one of the leaders when it comes to innovation. Therefore, it is
constantly looking at new solutions and technologies in these times of continuous changes in the world (ArenA Innovation Center). In response, the Johan Cruijff ArenA has responsed and developed into a Living Lab where ideas and technologies can grow and contribute to building an innovative & smart urban area in Amsterdam Southeast. The stadium is the beating heart of the Amsterdam Southeast district, which has developed into a platform for energy transition, smart mobility, sustainability and inclusive society.

The energy transition requires that green, sustainable and circular energy generation must be the dominant source to deliver businesses and the citizens in the Aamsterdam Southeast the power needed. This will also impact the way energy will play a role in the new sustainable and inclusive economy in societies. To explore new economic models in a sustainable and inclusive society, the Johan Cruijff ArenA wants to look at progressive initiatives to understand the key parameters to realize positive impact with local innovative energy exchange platform concept on prosperity in future society.

Energy is an essential utility in our daily lives and and economic value within our daily lives. But can we assign a attribute to energy so it can be used as a means exchange value?

In today's society citizens have to buy energy they need for their household. Geopolitical issue can have severe impact on the affordability of energy. And prices for the utilities are also prone energy company's business performance, albeit regulated toa certain extent by regulations and directives.

But if we change the paradigm of the value of energy as a utlity only and see it as a constant value like a monirtary unit, energy is used as a means of payment, currency in economic transactions.

The first step has already been taken by the Johan Cruijff ArenA with the initiative to provide a return service provided for giving up energy (Korpershoek, 2018). However, little is still known about this topic and the technological possibilities there are in the field of energy as a means of payment are. Therefore, this research asks the following main question:
"Is the concept of energy as a currency viable in sustainable and inclusive econmy? What if we can see a battery as a 'bank' to store value, to deposit energy from EV's as a payment for services, and to withdraw the deposited energy by another citizen through the local smart grid in Amsterdam Southeast to make ends meet, similar to the food banks helpen out our citizens in need?" 

This example of innovative energy transaction concept makes it possible to accelerate the energy transition in the city by attributing transactional value to energy units equalizing the problem of as a means for value exchange in a local economy. The concept princeples are researched and technical solution will come available. The ArenA has the vison and ambition to make the sports and entertainment business more sustainable and inclusive for the city of Amsterdam and its districts with its team, assetts, partners and stakeholders. And possibly amplify the positive impact on prosperity for the citizens of its neighbourhood.