Cambridge Blockchain Network Sustainability Index

The Cambridge Blockchain Network Sustainability Index estimates electricity use attributable to Ethereum's consensus layer, not its pre-Merge proof-of-work period, which the graph does not cover. Estimates start on 12 December 2021, the first date Beacon Node count data was available, although the Beacon Chain launched on 1 December 2020. A network monitoring tool upgrade effective 6 March 2023 revealed significantly more Beacon Nodes, causing a noticeable uptick in estimated electricity usage from that date. Figures apply a 7-day moving average to smooth short-term node count volatility.