A Novel Blockchain-Based Stochastic Framework for Energy Hub Management in Smart Grids Considering Energy Miners

In recent years, the rapid expansion of blockchain technology has led to a rise in miners' energy consumption, creating considerable challenges for maintaining the stability of smart grids (SGs). Blockchain technology can enhance the data security and protect the critical information, but integrating it into power systems requires new mechanisms to address operational challenges. Hence, this study proposes an Energy Hub (EH)–based blockchain energy management framework to mitigate miner-induced overloads and also improve the overall system reliability. The proposed framework enables secure data handling and provides a parallel and flexible solution to supply the energy of miners through multi-carrier energy conversion, and also reduces dependence on conventional generation units. An intelligent priority selection algorithm is developed to determine the optimal placement of the EH within the SG, and also ensuring efficient operation and minimizing unnecessary loading on the SGs. To consider for the stochastic nature of load and generation, the Unscented Transform (UT) is used to capture uncertainties, which can enable more accurate and robust operational decisions. Simulation results are indicated that the suggested approach reduces generator operating costs by approximately 44% and production by roughly 14%. As a result, the framework enhances SG stability, decreases excessive energy consumption by miners, and improves both the economic performance and blockchain-based security of the SG.