Ethereum's Energy Intensity Placed Near Lower End of PoS Blockchains

A recent Cambridge University study has shed light on Ethereum's energy intensity after its transition to proof-of-stake (PoS) in September 2022. According to the report, Ethereum uses approximately 7.87 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity annually, placing it near the lower end of energy intensity among major PoS blockchains.

The Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance estimated that Ethereum's energy intensity is roughly 33 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per $1 million of market value, which is the second-lowest figure among the PoS networks assessed. Solana used the most electricity, at about 13.48 GWh per year.

The study also found that Ethereum's energy consumption was reduced by approximately 99.96% after the merge from proof-of-work (PoW) to PoS. The researchers estimated an average power draw of about 105 watts per node, with around 8,522 discoverable full nodes on the network.

The majority of Ethereum's remaining emissions are now driven mainly by the electricity grids supplying its nodes. The study estimated that about 56.4% of the network's electricity mix came from renewable and nuclear sources, compared with 43.6% from fossil fuels.