[Grant Proposal Preview] Plug for Green
Project Name: Plug for Green
Company: Arkreen
Website: arkreen.com
Testnet/App: PGP App Portal
Contact: Discord
Social Media: X
Executive Summary
Plug for Green (PGP) is a decentralized application developed by Arkreen that leverages blockchain and IoT technology to enable personal carbon neutrality at scale. By using Smart Plugs to track electricity consumption and green tokens to offset emissions, users are rewarded for sustainable actions through a gamified “Impact-to-Earn” model. The program addresses a major gap in the carbon offset space: accessible, user-friendly tools for individuals, not just enterprises, to take climate action. PGP integrates with the VeBetterDAO (VBD) ecosystem to bring verifiable energy data on-chain and foster a new wave of community-driven environmental engagement.
Team Info
| Role | Name | Background | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Founder | Leo Lin | IoT, Blockchain, and digital security expert. Leader in DePIN and ReFi innovation. | @linyao01 |
| Tech Lead | Rene Decar | 5+ years Web3 product development. 10+ years in mobile security and payments. | - |
| Strategic Lead | Merlin Ostermann | 8 years in Web3 community building. Experienced in IoT, DePIN, Renewable Energy Gamification and token economics. | @Merlin_M_O |
Project Overview
Problem
Global carbon neutrality requires individual participation, but most offset tools today are enterprise-focused, expensive, and hard to use.
Solution
PGP enables individuals to offset their home energy use through Smart Plugs and ART tokens, making sustainability affordable and transparent.
How It Works
- Install a Smart Plug to monitor electricity use
- Offset that use with tokenized renewable energy (ART tokens)
- Earn rewards for participation and verified impact
Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Accessible Offsetting | Low-cost, individual carbon offsetting via public blockchain |
| Dual Mining Rewards | Earn rewards for tracking and offsetting energy use |
| DePIN Integration | Connects energy data to blockchain for transparency and scale |
| VBD Synergy | Aligns with VeBetterDAO for green infrastructure support |
X2E Model
- Impact to Earn: Rewards for offsetting usage with green assets
- Play to Impact: Points scale with sustainability impact
- Dual Mining: Offset DePIN and GPU energy usage for additional rewards
- Community-Driven: Green tokens issued by real-world solar participants in emerging markets
SDG Alignment
PGP directly supports multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals:
- SDG 7: Smart Plug and ART token support clean energy adoption
- SDG 13: Enables measurable carbon reductions
- SDG 9: Builds innovative infrastructure with blockchain and IoT
- SDG 12: Encourages efficient household electricity use
- SDG 17: Fosters global collaboration through green asset trade
Projected Impact (2025–2026)
- Offset 1 million kWh (~500 tons CO₂)
- Deploy 10,000 Smart Plugs
- Engage 5,000 new users
10,000 plugs = CO₂ savings comparable to planting 80,000 trees
Ecosystem Benefits
- Users: Offset energy, earn rewards, track usage transparently
- DApps: Access green data and integrate DePIN functionality
- VeBetterDAO: Expand adoption and support measurable sustainability
Competitive Edge
| Area | Differentiator |
|---|---|
| Affordability | Lower-cost than enterprise offsetting tools |
| Tech Stack | Combines IoT with blockchain for real-time data |
| Global Model | Connects high-consumption users with green suppliers |
| Dual Mining | Appeals to both climate-conscious and GPU users |
Target Market
- Households in the US, Japan, EU
- EV Owners
- DePIN & IoT Blockchain Projects
- ESG-conscious Enterprises and Governments
Revenue Model
- Smart Plug Hardware Sales
- Green Asset Transaction Fees
- Enterprise Subscriptions
Roadmap
Q3–Q4 2025
- Deploy 1,000 Smart Plugs in 50+ countries
- Form 5 DePIN project partnerships
Q1–Q2 2026
- Launch 10 enterprise offset programs
- Improve algorithm to boost user engagement by 20%
2027 and Beyond
- Deploy 10,000 Smart Plugs
- Offset 10M kWh (~5,000 tons CO₂)
- Establish green standards with OECD/UNEP
Grant Details
| Milestone | Description | Funding (USD) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront | 5,000 | Immediate | |
| 1 | Initial development & VeWorld + B3TR integration; app launch on VBD; reach 2,000 users | 5,000 | 2 months from upfront |
| 2 | 10,000 users, 4,000 MAU, 100 Smart Plug sales | 10,000 | 4 months from upfront |
| 3 | 20,000 users, 10,000 MAU, 5 DePIN partners, new plug model | 10,000 | 6 months from upfront |
Token Allocation Plan
- 80% User Rewards
- 10% Operational Costs
- 10% Team Incentives
Security Measures
- Smart Contract Audit
- Anti-farming via progressive unlock and reward scaling
- Token and wallet security protocols
Foundation Remarks
Arkreen’s Plug for Green (PGP) initiative represents a compelling step toward realizing VeChain’s vision of a sustainable, incentivized Web3 future. With a proven track record (200,000 solar nodes, and over 120 million kWh tokenized), Arkreen brings maturity, community traction, and a credible infrastructure to the VBD ecosystem. Their decentralized approach to energy monitoring and carbon offsetting aligns well with our mission to drive environmental impact through transparent, user-powered solutions.
PGP’s X2Earn model adds a powerful behavioral incentive for sustainability, while its unique dual-side mechanism – enabling both supply (solar tokenization) and demand (offset purchases via gamified smart plug usage) – adds valuable composability to DePIN-based applications. We’re particularly encouraged by the project’s existing partnerships, its non-greenwashing ethos, and its potential to bring a large community of climate-conscious users into VeChain’s ecosystem.
At the same time, we recognize that early hardware-based onboarding presents usability hurdles. To maximize alignment and long-term value, we encourage tangible use of B3TR as a functional reward token. Strategic mechanisms for retaining and engaging VeChain users will be key to unlocking the full potential of this. And so, while the DePIN landscape remains a challenging frontier, we see Arkreen as a credible, mission-aligned innovator deserving of support.