Ross Edwards

My research focuses on the intersection of sustainable finance, blockchain technology, renewable energy systems and socio-economic dynamics.

I study the sustainability of crypto ecosystems with a focus on their energy consumption and environmental impacts. My work explores how integrating renewable energy systems can reduce the carbon footprint of digital currencies and support enhancements of grid stability and energy efficiency from utilising crypto mining, contributing to a more sustainable digital economy.

I explore through a macro lens how the adoption and diffusion of digital currencies influence wealth distribution, financial inclusion, and economic stability. This work is situated at the nexus of economics, finance, and renewable energy systems, and aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of both the sustainable aspects of blockchain and its broader societal impacts.

A core component of my research examines how blockchain innovations can serve as a disruptive force in traditional finance and energy demand response, potentially democratizing access to financial services while also presenting regulatory and environmental challenges. For instance, I investigate the energy consumption and carbon footprint associated with cryptocurrency mining operations, building on methodologies outlined by Krause and Tolaymat (2018) in their work on quantifying the environmental costs of mining.

By offering insights into the environmental, economic and social ramifications of cryptocurrency adoption, I aim to inform both scholarly debate and practical policy-making, particularly in contexts where digital financial innovations intersect with issues of inequality and sustainable development.

Role

Post-Graduate Researcher at School of Mechancial and Aerospace Engineering, Queens University Belfast.

Academic attainment

PhD Mechanical Engineering, Queens University Belfast (in progress),

Thesis title: Sustainable Crypto Ecosystems: The Interplay Of Blockchain Technology and Energy-Efficient Digital Transactions For Economic. Development

MSc International Business, University of Ulster, Magee.

BSc Business with Accounting, Ulster University, Coleraine.

• Sustainable Finance
• Cryptocurrency
• Renewable Energy Systems
• Energy Efficiency and Demaand Response Solutions

Speaker at the 8th Sustainable Impact Investment International Conference 2025. University College Dublin

Presentation: Transforming Cryptocurrency Ssutaianbility: Leveraging Wind Curtailment Energy with Layer 2 Technologies in Ireland