Energy Efficiency

Energy Efficiency and Performance

The architecture leverages Proof of Space (PoSp) for minimal energy use and lightweight ZKP verification to drastically reduce on‑chain computation—combining sustainability with high performance.

This is a stark contrast to Proof‑of‑Work (PoW) systems, which can consume around 1MW per terahash per second (TH/s), as seen in Bitcoin’s network. Thus, PoSp reduces energy use by about 99% compared to PoW, making it a far more sustainable choice.

Additionally, Zero‑Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) contribute to sustainability by minimizing on‑chain computation. ZKPs’ lightweight verification—taking roughly 2 milliseconds per proof—reduces the computational load, cutting CO2 emissions by an estimated 80% compared to non‑ZK systems like pre‑merge Ethereum, which relied on energy‑intensive PoW.

Note: We must acknowledge, however, that ZK proof generation is computationally intensive. Our complete energy model accounts for this, with current estimates indicating that proof generation for complex AI tasks requires approximately 0.5–2 kWh per proof, depending on circuit complexity. Even with these costs included, our system remains substantially more energy‑efficient than pure PoW approaches, as proof generation occurs off‑chain and can leverage renewable energy sources or optimized hardware accelerators. Future improvements in ZK proving technology, including specialized ASICs and optimized circuit design, are expected to further reduce these energy requirements by an estimated 50–70% over the next three years.