Systems and methods for advanced energy settlements, network-based messaging, and applications supporting the same on a blockchain platform

A method for financial settlement of transactions within an electric power grid network, comprising:

• providing a multiplicity of active grid elements constructed and configured for electric connection and network-based communication over a blockchain-based platform, and at least one distributed computing device in network communication with the multiplicity of active grid elements;
• providing at least one server communicatively connected to the electric power grid network configured to control the participation of the multiplicity of active grid elements in the electric power grid network based on predictive energy consumption data for the multiplicity of active grid elements;
• the multiplicity of active grid elements registering with the electric power grid network for actively participating within the electric power grid network;
• at least one active grid element generating and executing a digital contract for at least one transaction with at least one peer active grid element;
• the at least one active grid element and the at least one peer active grid element generating messages that comprise energy related data, and wherein the energy related data are based on measurement and verification;
• and
• validating and recording the energy related data on a distributed ledger with a time stamp and a geodetic reference;
• wherein the data packets are stored and coded into blocks on a blockchain on a node, each block including a timestamp and a geodetic reference for each data packet denoting when and where the data packet is generated;
• the data packet includes energy related data associated with corresponding grid elements and their intended active functioning within the electric power grid;
• wherein a smart contract is generated between market participants;
• and
• wherein the smart contract automatically executes itself when market participants meet all the contract terms. and a transaction between a first and second market participant are completed and recorded on the blockchain.