Surveying the Energy Efficiency and Applicability of Blockchain Platforms for the Internet of Things

Numerous smart applications have been made possible by recent advancements in edge computing and the Internet of Things (IoT). Smart cities, smart homes, smart grids, and intelligent healthcare are examples of related industries. They join edge and sensor devices together in the process of generating big data and controlling objects. Blockchain technology is well-known for addressing security concerns, trust issues, and data privacy in IoT networks. This is because blockchain’s decentralized nature and immutable records can guarantee IoT data integrity against unauthorized changes. However, limited energy and processing resources of IoT devices are generally insufficient to support many blockchain protocols. In this paper, we survey key features, energy efficiency, and applicability of selected blockchain platforms for the IoT. Compared to existing surveys in the field of blockchain and IoT integration, which focus on the security advantages of incorporating blockchain technologies in IoT networks, we focus on the energy efficiency and compatibility aspects to improve the performance of IoT networks.