DePIN

arweave

WeatherXM

FOAM

The M3tering protocol indeed fits some characteristics of a Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN), such as decentralization and physical infrastructure. But it raises some questions when it comes to whether it operates as a true "network" in the same sense as other DePIN projects such as /arweave, /weatherxm or /foam.

Depin Dev hosting /m3ter-heads & building M3tering protocol on Gnosis.
Spread the word; P2P energy is now as real as P2P money
https://m3tering.whynotswitch.com

Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

In contrast, the M3tering protocol, while decentralized, seems to primarily involve localized transactions between energy providers and consumers (offtakers). Each provider-offtaker relationship is relatively independent of others within the network, lacking the broader collective service dynamic seen in other DePINs. This setup creates a series of bilateral interactions, not necessarily a true network where all participants benefit from the combined infrastructure.

To evolve into a full-fledged DePIN, the protocol could develop a system where energy produced by multiple providers is pooled and distributed across multiple offtakers, possibly through a "decentralized grid". This would create open marketplaces where energy providers compete or collaborate to offer their services and make it more of a shared infrastructure, where energy supply from different sources becomes interchangeable and supports the entire network

While the M3tering protocol is undoubtedly a protocol for decentralizing physical infrastructure, it might be more interesting to think of it as a protocol for tokenizing power purchase agreements (PPAs) which are backed by energy generating assets in the real world.

In fewer words, one could say that "In its current form, M3tering can be thought of as an  RWA protocol".

A network is typically defined not just by having participants, but by the interconnectivity and mutual dependencies among them, creating a system where each node (or participant) derives value from its links to others. 

In DePINs like Helium, Filecoin, or Render, the physical infrastructure (e.g., network hotspots or storage) serves a broader ecosystem, with each node contributing to a collective service available to all participants. For instance, in Helium, hotspots contribute to a shared wireless network, and in Filecoin, storage providers contribute to a global data storage marketplace.