UCL
University College London (UCL), a top-10 globally ranked university, has published a significant new research paper on the varying environmental impacts of different distributed ledger technologies (DLT). The paper examined the energy consumption of second-generation consensus models such as Proof-of-Stake, which promise to provide more favourable energy consumption characteristics than their Proof-of-Work predecessors. Researcher’s at UCL’s Centre for Blockchain Technologies (UCL CBT) quantified and compared the energy demands of six second-generation systems: Algorand, Cardano, Ethereum 2.0, Hedera Hashgraph, Polkadot, and Tezos. The full paper can be found here .
The research paper found that Hedera Hashgraph had the lowest overall energy consumption of the systems studied. Dr. Paolo Tasca, Executive Director at UCL CBT, said: “At this point, the benefits of Proof-of-Stake are well-recognised and understood in the blockchain space. However, through this research we have found that not all Proof-of-Stake networks are created equally. This is something that both investors and adopters need to be wary of when selecting their network of choice. While it’s fantastic to see that Ethereum 2.0 will be Proof-of-Stake, looking at these results it’s clear that we need to remain vigilant of its potential environmental impact.”
The research was conducted by UCL CBT by formalizing a basic mathematical consumption model for validator-based Sybil attack resistance schemes. This model allows quantifying the energy consumption per transaction based on common input variables, such as the number of validators and the throughput characteristics of the system analysed.
Ultimately, the study found that the energy needs of the varying consensus protocols was dependent on the number of active validators. The UCL researchers warned that distributed ledger technology (DLT) networks need to be wary of the effect of different design choices in their architecture over energy consumption, as well as of the quality of the hardware used by the node operators. The research concluded that DLT networks must remain focused on environmental friendliness as scale increases.
Dr. Tasca concluded: “The findings of this study are a fantastic starting point for improving existing DLT design options, as well as developing new consensus protocols while keeping sustainability front of mind. We found that, through applying contemporary throughput and validator counts, Hedera Hashgraph has the most favourable energy consumption characteristics.”
For more information, download the full report at: http://blockchain.cs.ucl.ac.uk/blockchain-energy-consumption/
About University College London
Founded in 1826 in the heart of London, UCL is London's leading multidisciplinary university, with more than 13,000 staff and 42,000 students from 150 different countries. Ranked 8th in the world by QS World University Rankings in 2022, University College London is amongst the best universities in the world. It was the first university in England to welcome students of any religion and the first to welcome women on equal terms with men. UCL's founding principles of academic excellence and research aimed at addressing real-world problems continue to inform its ethos to this day through focusing its research endeavours on the Grand Challenges of Global Health, Sustainable Cities, Cultural Understanding, Human Wellbeing, Transformative Technology, and Justice & Equality. UCL’s dedication to world-class research, education and innovation is recognised through its globally recognised ranking. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework, UCL was the top-rated university in the UK for research strength.
About the UCL Centre for Blockchain Technologies (UCL CBT)
UCL CBT is the world’s largest research centre on blockchain technologies by number of associates. Founded in 2015 by Prof. Paolo Tasca and Prof. Tomaso Aste, its mission is to research the effects of Distributed Ledger Technologies and Blockchain into our socio-economic systems and to promote the safe and organic development and adoption of Blockchain-based platforms.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210908005169/en/
Social Media:
About Business Wire
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Uzbekistan, the Engine of Central Asia: GDP Above USD 145 Billion and Exports Rising to USD 33.4 Billion – Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Italy26.1.2026 14:31:00 CET | Press release
With a GDP exceeding USD 145 billion, exports of USD 33.4 billion up 23 percent, and gold reserves surpassing USD 60 billion, Uzbekistan enters 2026 with solid and steadily strengthening macroeconomic indicators. The Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Italy claims that the climate of confidence, reaffirmed in the State of the Nation Address delivered on 26 December by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, is reflected in international trade data: total foreign investment has reached USD 43.1 billion, equal to 31.9 percent of GDP. This trajectory has also contributed to an improvement in the country’s sovereign rating, upgraded to BB by the leading international rating agencies. For the current year, the Government forecasts economic growth of 6.6 percent, with GDP estimated at USD 167 billion. A total of 782 new industrial and infrastructure projects will be launched, with an overall value of USD 52 billion, including 228 large production facilities as early as next year. The focus will
Lucend, Formerly Coolgradient, Raises $3.3M to Bring Transparent AI to Data Centers to Increase Uptime and Reliability While Maximizing Efficiency26.1.2026 14:00:00 CET | Press release
Lucend Seed round led by Remarkable Ventures Climate (RVC) to bring Transparent AI insights to data center operators in the U.S. increasing operational efficiency by 40% Lucend today announced that it is bringing its transparent data center optimization to the U.S. market, helping enterprises illuminate complex operational environments and empowering data center operators, innovation officers, and sustainability officers with the intelligence they need to act with trust, accuracy, and confidence. Lucend’s Transparent AI platform connects to existing infrastructure, no new hardware required, to transform static systems into adaptive, self-learning environments. The software takes existing sensor data to see connections across 300 billion sensor readings. Lucend’s AI analyzes billions of data points daily and provides prescriptive recommendations. The intelligence that Lucend’s platform delivers “shows its work,” empowering operators and delivering verifiable impact across enterprise env
Novaliq Receives FDA IND Clearance to Advance NOV05 in a Phase II Clinical Trial in Non-infectious Anterior Uveitis26.1.2026 14:00:00 CET | Press release
Study could lead to first-ever topical steroid-free treatment for the inner eye disease non-infectious anterior uveitis (NIAU) The study builds on ocular pharmacokinetic models demonstrating delivery after topical application and on animal models of experimental uveitis demonstrating pharmacological effects Novaliq is expanding with this proof-of-concept study into retina and inner-eye diseases as targeted topical delivery of EyeSol®-based drugs allowing to develop breakthrough therapies Novaliq, a biopharmaceutical company focusing on first- and best-in-class ocular therapeutics based on its unique water-free EyeSol® drug category, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared its Investigational New Drug (IND) application for NOV05, the company’s first IND for treating inner-eye diseases. NOV05, tacrolimus ophthalmic solution in EyeSol®, is a unique, steroid-free topical anti-inflammatory treatment. The IND clearance enables initiation of the EYETAC Pha
IQM Quantum Computers Appoints Jan Goetz as Sole CEO to Lead Next Phase of Global Growth26.1.2026 10:15:00 CET | Press release
Jan Goetz becomes sole CEO, while Søren Hein is appointed Chief Operating Officer and Deputy CEO. Former Co-CEO Mikko Välimäki transitions out of his commercial role and remains as an advisor until 31 March 2026. This new leadership structure is designed to strengthen IQM's global strategic direction, planning and execution. IQM Quantum Computers, a global leader in full-stack superconducting quantum computers, today announced a transition from its Co-CEO structure to a single Chief Executive Officer model. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260126737805/en/ From left to right: Jan Goetz (Co-founder & CEO) and Søren Hein (Chief Operating Officer and Deputy CEO) Co-founder and current Co-CEO Dr Jan Goetz becomes sole CEO effective since January 1st, following a resolution passed by the IQM board. In addition, Dr Søren Hein has been appointed Chief Operating Officer and Deputy CEO. As part of the transition, Mikko
Aesyra Demonstrates Significant Sleep Bruxism Reduction in Clinical Study26.1.2026 09:00:00 CET | Press release
Aesyra SA, a Swiss medtech company developing innovative digital therapeutics for dental and sleep-related disorders, today announced the successful completion of its clinical investigation evaluating the efficacy and safety of AesyBite™ Active, an intelligent oral appliance designed to treat and prevent sleep bruxism through biofeedback. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260126533019/en/ AesyBite Custom smart nightguard by Aesyra SA. The clinical investigation demonstrated that AesyBite™ Active achieved a statistically significant and clinically meaningful reduction in sleep bruxism activity, exceeding the predefined performance target. Strong and robust clinical outcomes In the study (Identifier: NCT06153810), involving 26 adult patients with confirmed sleep bruxism, activation of the AesyBite Active biofeedback system resulted in a 60.6% reduction in total sleep bruxism duration per hour compared to baseline
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom