Application: PowerGrid Network

[kunal-drall]

Project Abstract

This is a follow-up grant application. PowerGrid Network has successfully completed two Polkadot Fast Grants milestones ($10,000 total) and is now applying for continued funding to build a production-ready DePIN platform.
Previous Grant: Polkadot Fast Grants - PowerGrid Network
PowerGrid Network is a decentralized Virtual Power Plant (VPP) solution built on the Polkadot blockchain to address the escalating global energy crisis. With a projected 200 GW electricity shortfall in the U.S. by 2030 and billions required to build traditional infrastructure, PowerGrid offers a radically scalable alternative: transforming homes into a coordinated, AI-optimized energy network.
Our platform integrates smart devices—like thermostats, EV chargers, and appliances—via IoT and AI-driven recommendations to reduce energy usage during peak demand without sacrificing user comfort. Participants are rewarded with $PWGD tokens for contributing to grid stability, creating a compelling financial incentive for adoption. Unlike centralized VPPs, PowerGrid’s DePIN-based model uses blockchain for transparency, programmable rewards, and community governance, ensuring trust and rapid network growth.
By focusing initially on smart plug integration and targeting high-demand regions with progressive energy policies, PowerGrid aims to become the foundation for a new energy paradigm: community-powered, clean, and economically sustainable.

Grant level

• Level 1: Up to $10,000, 2 approvals
• Level 2: Up to $30,000, 3 approvals
• Level 3: Unlimited, 5 approvals (for >$100k: Web3 Foundation Council approval)

Application Checklist

• The application template has been copied and aptly renamed (project_name.md).
• I have read the application guidelines.
• Payment details have been provided (Polkadot AssetHub (USDC & DOT) address in the application and bank details via email, if applicable).
• I understand that an agreed upon percentage of each milestone will be paid in vested DOT, to the Polkadot address listed in the application.
• I am aware that, in order to receive a grant, I (and the entity I represent) have to successfully complete a KYC/KYB check.
• The software delivered for this grant will be released under an open-source license specified in the application.
• The initial PR contains only one commit (squash and force-push if needed).
• The grant will only be announced once the first milestone has been accepted (see the announcement guidelines).
• I prefer the discussion of this application to take place in a private Element/Matrix channel. My username is: @_______:matrix.org (change the homeserver if you use a different one)

[diogo-w3f]

@kunal-drall Thanks for the grant application. Do you have any real clients or interested users in the PowerGrid network? I see that you have a history of developing software projects, did any of them become a real business? I understand that developing and continuing to develop can be fun, but what about actually launching these products? Could you tell me more about that?

[kunal-drall]

Real Client Interest & User Validation

Current Interest:

• 30 interested users from a technical fair at a local university where we reached out to students and faculty members to introduce them to PowerGrid Network.
• Waitlist launched to capture interest from technical community and early adopters
• Users are primarily from the technical/maker community interested in IoT + blockchain intersection

Beta Testing Plans:
PowerGrid Network is positioned as an actual product, not just a research project. After this grant completion (if accepted), we're planning the first beta testing phase with interested users and expanding from there.

Current State - Honest Assessment:

• Working end-to-end system: Real TP-Link Tapo P110 smart plugs → Python oracle service → Polkadot blockchain → automated token rewards
• All infrastructure operational and tested
• Focus is on building functional product first, user acquisition second

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Past Project History & Product Launches

Previous Projects:
While I have experience developing software projects, PowerGrid Network represents my first serious attempt at building a commercial product with sustainable business model. Previous projects were primarily:

• Educational/learning projects
• Open-source contributions
• Technical demonstrations

Why PowerGrid Network is Different:
This project has:

1. Real funding ($10,000 from Web3 Foundation - 2 milestones delivered)
2. Working hardware integration (not vaporware)
3. Clear business model (utility partnerships + platform fees)
4. Verifiable progress (GitHub commits, milestone deliveries, test results)
5. Market need (energy grid challenges are real and growing)

Commitment to Launch:
PowerGrid Network will be an actual deployed product because:

• We've proven technical feasibility end-to-end
• We have initial user interest to validate with beta
• The energy sector need is real and urgent
• We're pursuing multiple funding sources to ensure sustainability beyond grants
• Beta testing phase scheduled immediately post-grant completion

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Development vs. Launch Philosophy

Your Question is Valid: Many developers enjoy building but struggle with launching and commercializing.

Our Approach:

1. Build functional MVP first (in progress)
2. Validate with small beta group ← Next phase (30+ interested users ready)
3. Iterate based on real feedback
4. Scale progressively (10 users → 100 users → 1000+ users)
5. Sustainable business model (utility partnerships, not just token speculation)

Tangible Launch Commitment:

• Beta program planned to kicks off Q3 2026
• Utility partnership discussions in progress (informal stage)
• Landing page and documentation being prepared for public launch
• Mobile app development planned to make onboarding seamless

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Why This Will Actually Launch

Not vaporware because:

• Hardware integration already working
• Users exist and are waiting (30+ from university demonstration)
• Business model is clear (not dependent on token speculation)
• Team has delivered on commitments (2 milestones completed on time)
• Problem is real (utilities need demand response solutions)

We're building for launch, not perpetual development.

[keeganquigley]

Hi @kunal-drall just curious if you've already tried to get funding from PEAQ's grant program, the defacto DePIN parachain? That may be a better route imo.

[kunal-drall]

Hey @keeganquigley, thanks for the suggestion! Right now we’re laser-focused on shipping our MVP and launching the beta phase with real users and hardware.
PEAQ is absolutely on our radar - we’re planning to integrate during this phase and will be reaching out for support as we scale beyond our initial Web3 Foundation milestones. Makes total sense as a DePIN-native chain.
First priority: proven product in users’ hands. Then ecosystem expansion.

[keeganquigley]

Thanks @kunal-drall for your answer. I have marked the application as ready for review and will ping the committee for comment. However, I personally don't think this grant meets most of our new guidelines, therefore personally I will have to vote nay. This is because the deliverables seem mainly beneficial only to the product, and I'm not sure how this would be able to provide tangible demand for DOT.

[kunal-drall]

Thanks for the transparency, @keeganquigley . Let me address the new guidelines (published October 2025) with facts:

Re: DePIN Vertical Alignment

The new guidelines explicitly list "DePIN/IoT Solutions — projects with concrete, marketable products that bridge physical and digital worlds" as a priority vertical. We have working hardware integration (TP-Link smart plugs tested locally) and functional smart contracts. Our 2 completed milestones demonstrate we're building "concrete, marketable products," not vaporware.

Re: DOT Token Economy

The guidelines state they want "Projects that create tangible demand and usage for the DOT token" and "Solutions that strengthen the Polkadot ecosystem's economic foundation."

Honest reality check: We're currently on local testnet. This grant funds:

• Deployment to substrate contracts node (can be tested locally)
• Building the interface to onboard beta users
• Each grid event will require DOT for transaction fees

The DOT demand is future-oriented but architected - once we deploy to testnet/mainnet and onboard real users participating in grid events, every participation creates on-chain transactions requiring DOT.

Re: "Dogfooding" & Ecosystem Benefits

Guidelines emphasize "Projects that can be actively used and tested by Web3 Foundation, Parity, your team, and the broader ecosystem" and "Tools and applications that solve problems we face ourselves."

Our open-source SDK and documentation will enable other DePIN builders. We're creating reusable patterns for IoT-blockchain integration that benefit the broader ecosystem.

What We Need to Strengthen:

• Path to financial independence (12-24 months per guidelines)
• Clearer user acquisition strategy beyond "build it and they'll come"
• More concrete evidence of utility partnerships

Happy to discuss how we can better align with these specific criteria.

References:

• W3F New Grant Guidelines (Medium)
• W3F Grants Program (GitHub)
• Polkadot DePIN Use Cases