diff --git a/besu/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/controller/QbftBesuControllerBuilder.java b/besu/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/controller/QbftBesuControllerBuilder.java
index 747949aac12..57a4ee16426 100644
--- a/besu/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/controller/QbftBesuControllerBuilder.java
+++ b/besu/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/controller/QbftBesuControllerBuilder.java
@@ -411,8 +411,9 @@ private static MinedBlockObserver blockLogger(
     return block ->
         LOG.info(
             String.format(
-                "%s #%,d / %d tx / %d pending / %,d (%01.1f%%) gas / (%s)",
+                "%s %s #%,d / %d tx / %d pending / %,d (%01.1f%%) gas / (%s)",
                 block.getHeader().getCoinbase().equals(localAddress) ? "Produced" : "Imported",
+                block.getBody().getTransactions().size() == 0 ? "empty block" : "block",
                 block.getHeader().getNumber(),
                 block.getBody().getTransactions().size(),
                 transactionPool.count(),
diff --git a/besu/src/test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/cli/CommandTestAbstract.java b/besu/src/test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/cli/CommandTestAbstract.java
index deef4f648ca..f8e39c80831 100644
--- a/besu/src/test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/cli/CommandTestAbstract.java
+++ b/besu/src/test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/cli/CommandTestAbstract.java
@@ -139,15 +139,18 @@ public abstract class CommandTestAbstract {
   private static final Logger TEST_LOGGER = LoggerFactory.getLogger(CommandTestAbstract.class);
 
   protected static final int POA_BLOCK_PERIOD_SECONDS = 5;
+  protected static final int POA_EMPTY_BLOCK_PERIOD_SECONDS = 50;
   protected static final JsonObject VALID_GENESIS_QBFT_POST_LONDON =
       (new JsonObject())
           .put(
               "config",
               new JsonObject()
                   .put("londonBlock", 0)
+                  .put("qbft", new JsonObject().put("blockperiodseconds", POA_BLOCK_PERIOD_SECONDS))
                   .put(
                       "qbft",
-                      new JsonObject().put("blockperiodseconds", POA_BLOCK_PERIOD_SECONDS)));
+                      new JsonObject()
+                          .put("emptyblockperiodseconds", POA_EMPTY_BLOCK_PERIOD_SECONDS)));
   protected static final JsonObject VALID_GENESIS_IBFT2_POST_LONDON =
       (new JsonObject())
           .put(
diff --git a/besu/src/test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/cli/options/MiningOptionsTest.java b/besu/src/test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/cli/options/MiningOptionsTest.java
index 55777e16d42..77ae7fd965d 100644
--- a/besu/src/test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/cli/options/MiningOptionsTest.java
+++ b/besu/src/test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/cli/options/MiningOptionsTest.java
@@ -307,7 +307,7 @@ public void posBlockCreationMaxTimeOption() {
   @Test
   public void posBlockCreationMaxTimeOutOfAllowedRange() {
     internalTestFailure(
-        "--Xpos-block-creation-max-time must be positive and ≤ 12000",
+        "--Xpos-block-creation-max-time must be positive and less or equal 12000",
         "--Xpos-block-creation-max-time",
         "17000");
   }
diff --git a/config/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/config/BftConfigOptions.java b/config/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/config/BftConfigOptions.java
index c94752b598d..a30c54cab1e 100644
--- a/config/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/config/BftConfigOptions.java
+++ b/config/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/config/BftConfigOptions.java
@@ -37,6 +37,13 @@ public interface BftConfigOptions {
    */
   int getBlockPeriodSeconds();
 
+  /**
+   * Gets empty block period seconds.
+   *
+   * @return the empty block period seconds
+   */
+  int getEmptyBlockPeriodSeconds();
+
   /**
    * Gets request timeout seconds.
    *
diff --git a/config/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/config/BftFork.java b/config/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/config/BftFork.java
index 30f8e1c5d5b..95ef7fd2400 100644
--- a/config/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/config/BftFork.java
+++ b/config/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/config/BftFork.java
@@ -40,6 +40,9 @@ public class BftFork implements Fork {
   /** The constant BLOCK_PERIOD_SECONDS_KEY. */
   public static final String BLOCK_PERIOD_SECONDS_KEY = "blockperiodseconds";
 
+  /** The constant EMPTY_BLOCK_PERIOD_SECONDS_KEY. */
+  public static final String EMPTY_BLOCK_PERIOD_SECONDS_KEY = "emptyblockperiodseconds";
+
   /** The constant BLOCK_REWARD_KEY. */
   public static final String BLOCK_REWARD_KEY = "blockreward";
 
@@ -82,6 +85,16 @@ public OptionalInt getBlockPeriodSeconds() {
     return JsonUtil.getPositiveInt(forkConfigRoot, BLOCK_PERIOD_SECONDS_KEY);
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Gets empty block period seconds.
+   *
+   * @return the empty block period seconds
+   */
+  public OptionalInt getEmptyBlockPeriodSeconds() {
+    // It can be 0 to disable custom empty block periods
+    return JsonUtil.getInt(forkConfigRoot, EMPTY_BLOCK_PERIOD_SECONDS_KEY);
+  }
+
   /**
    * Gets block reward wei.
    *
diff --git a/config/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/config/JsonBftConfigOptions.java b/config/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/config/JsonBftConfigOptions.java
index a3791a6e584..5e688bd5b00 100644
--- a/config/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/config/JsonBftConfigOptions.java
+++ b/config/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/config/JsonBftConfigOptions.java
@@ -34,6 +34,8 @@ public class JsonBftConfigOptions implements BftConfigOptions {
 
   private static final long DEFAULT_EPOCH_LENGTH = 30_000;
   private static final int DEFAULT_BLOCK_PERIOD_SECONDS = 1;
+  private static final int DEFAULT_EMPTY_BLOCK_PERIOD_SECONDS = 0;
+  // 0 keeps working as before, increase to activate it
   private static final int DEFAULT_ROUND_EXPIRY_SECONDS = 1;
   // In a healthy network this can be very small. This default limit will allow for suitable
   // protection for on a typical 20 node validator network with multiple rounds
@@ -66,6 +68,12 @@ public int getBlockPeriodSeconds() {
         bftConfigRoot, "blockperiodseconds", DEFAULT_BLOCK_PERIOD_SECONDS);
   }
 
+  @Override
+  public int getEmptyBlockPeriodSeconds() {
+    return JsonUtil.getInt(
+            bftConfigRoot, "emptyblockperiodseconds", DEFAULT_EMPTY_BLOCK_PERIOD_SECONDS);
+  }
+
   @Override
   public int getRequestTimeoutSeconds() {
     return JsonUtil.getInt(bftConfigRoot, "requesttimeoutseconds", DEFAULT_ROUND_EXPIRY_SECONDS);
@@ -133,6 +141,9 @@ public Map<String, Object> asMap() {
     if (bftConfigRoot.has("blockperiodseconds")) {
       builder.put("blockPeriodSeconds", getBlockPeriodSeconds());
     }
+    if (bftConfigRoot.has("emptyblockperiodseconds")) {
+      builder.put("emptyblockperiodseconds", getEmptyBlockPeriodSeconds());
+    }
     if (bftConfigRoot.has("requesttimeoutseconds")) {
       builder.put("requestTimeoutSeconds", getRequestTimeoutSeconds());
     }
diff --git a/config/src/test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/config/JsonBftConfigOptionsTest.java b/config/src/test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/config/JsonBftConfigOptionsTest.java
index 5f530cebb5b..1150aea3058 100644
--- a/config/src/test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/config/JsonBftConfigOptionsTest.java
+++ b/config/src/test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/config/JsonBftConfigOptionsTest.java
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 import static java.util.Collections.emptyMap;
 import static java.util.Collections.singletonMap;
 import static org.assertj.core.api.Assertions.assertThat;
+import static org.assertj.core.api.Assertions.assertThatCode;
 import static org.assertj.core.api.Assertions.assertThatThrownBy;
 
 import org.hyperledger.besu.datatypes.Address;
@@ -30,6 +31,7 @@ public class JsonBftConfigOptionsTest {
 
   private static final int EXPECTED_DEFAULT_EPOCH_LENGTH = 30_000;
   private static final int EXPECTED_DEFAULT_BLOCK_PERIOD = 1;
+  private static final int EXPECTED_EMPTY_DEFAULT_BLOCK_PERIOD = 0;
   private static final int EXPECTED_DEFAULT_REQUEST_TIMEOUT = 1;
   private static final int EXPECTED_DEFAULT_GOSSIPED_HISTORY_LIMIT = 1000;
   private static final int EXPECTED_DEFAULT_MESSAGE_QUEUE_LIMIT = 1000;
@@ -61,18 +63,37 @@ public void shouldGetBlockPeriodFromConfig() {
     assertThat(config.getBlockPeriodSeconds()).isEqualTo(5);
   }
 
+  @Test
+  public void shouldGetEmptyBlockPeriodFromConfig() {
+    final BftConfigOptions config = fromConfigOptions(singletonMap("emptyblockperiodseconds", 60));
+    assertThat(config.getEmptyBlockPeriodSeconds()).isEqualTo(60);
+  }
+
   @Test
   public void shouldFallbackToDefaultBlockPeriod() {
     final BftConfigOptions config = fromConfigOptions(emptyMap());
     assertThat(config.getBlockPeriodSeconds()).isEqualTo(EXPECTED_DEFAULT_BLOCK_PERIOD);
   }
 
+  @Test
+  public void shouldFallbackToEmptyDefaultBlockPeriod() {
+    final BftConfigOptions config = fromConfigOptions(emptyMap());
+    assertThat(config.getEmptyBlockPeriodSeconds()).isEqualTo(EXPECTED_EMPTY_DEFAULT_BLOCK_PERIOD);
+  }
+
   @Test
   public void shouldGetDefaultBlockPeriodFromDefaultConfig() {
     assertThat(JsonBftConfigOptions.DEFAULT.getBlockPeriodSeconds())
         .isEqualTo(EXPECTED_DEFAULT_BLOCK_PERIOD);
   }
 
+  @Test
+  public void shouldGetDefaultEmptyBlockPeriodFromDefaultConfig() {
+
+    assertThat(JsonBftConfigOptions.DEFAULT.getEmptyBlockPeriodSeconds())
+            .isEqualTo(EXPECTED_EMPTY_DEFAULT_BLOCK_PERIOD);
+  }
+
   @Test
   public void shouldThrowOnNonPositiveBlockPeriod() {
     final BftConfigOptions config = fromConfigOptions(singletonMap("blockperiodseconds", -1));
@@ -80,6 +101,13 @@ public void shouldThrowOnNonPositiveBlockPeriod() {
         .isInstanceOf(IllegalArgumentException.class);
   }
 
+  @Test
+  public void shouldNotThrowOnNonPositiveEmptyBlockPeriod() {
+    // can be 0 to be compatible with older versions
+    final BftConfigOptions config = fromConfigOptions(singletonMap("emptyblockperiodseconds", 0));
+    assertThatCode(() -> config.getEmptyBlockPeriodSeconds()).doesNotThrowAnyException();
+  }
+
   @Test
   public void shouldGetRequestTimeoutFromConfig() {
     final BftConfigOptions config = fromConfigOptions(singletonMap("requesttimeoutseconds", 5));
diff --git a/consensus/common/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/common/bft/BlockTimer.java b/consensus/common/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/common/bft/BlockTimer.java
index 5649b69e8f1..5f2b609d167 100644
--- a/consensus/common/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/common/bft/BlockTimer.java
+++ b/consensus/common/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/common/bft/BlockTimer.java
@@ -24,14 +24,20 @@
 import java.util.concurrent.ScheduledFuture;
 import java.util.concurrent.TimeUnit;
 
+import org.slf4j.Logger;
+import org.slf4j.LoggerFactory;
+
 /** Class for starting and keeping organised block timers */
 public class BlockTimer {
 
+  private static final Logger LOG = LoggerFactory.getLogger(BlockTimer.class);
   private final ForksSchedule<? extends BftConfigOptions> forksSchedule;
   private final BftExecutors bftExecutors;
   private Optional<ScheduledFuture<?>> currentTimerTask;
   private final BftEventQueue queue;
   private final Clock clock;
+  private long blockPeriodSeconds;
+  private long emptyBlockPeriodSeconds;
 
   /**
    * Construct a BlockTimer with primed executor service ready to start timers
@@ -51,6 +57,8 @@ public BlockTimer(
     this.bftExecutors = bftExecutors;
     this.currentTimerTask = Optional.empty();
     this.clock = clock;
+    this.blockPeriodSeconds = forksSchedule.getFork(0).getValue().getBlockPeriodSeconds();
+    this.emptyBlockPeriodSeconds = forksSchedule.getFork(0).getValue().getEmptyBlockPeriodSeconds();
   }
 
   /** Cancels the current running round timer if there is one */
@@ -76,16 +84,36 @@ public synchronized boolean isRunning() {
    */
   public synchronized void startTimer(
       final ConsensusRoundIdentifier round, final BlockHeader chainHeadHeader) {
-    cancelTimer();
-
-    final long now = clock.millis();
 
     // absolute time when the timer is supposed to expire
-    final int blockPeriodSeconds =
+    final int currentBlockPeriodSeconds =
         forksSchedule.getFork(round.getSequenceNumber()).getValue().getBlockPeriodSeconds();
-    final long minimumTimeBetweenBlocksMillis = blockPeriodSeconds * 1000L;
+    final long minimumTimeBetweenBlocksMillis = currentBlockPeriodSeconds * 1000L;
     final long expiryTime = chainHeadHeader.getTimestamp() * 1_000 + minimumTimeBetweenBlocksMillis;
 
+    setBlockTimes(round, false);
+
+    startTimer(round, expiryTime);
+  }
+
+  public synchronized void startEmptyBlockTimer(
+          final ConsensusRoundIdentifier round, final BlockHeader chainHeadHeader) {
+
+    // absolute time when the timer is supposed to expire
+    final int currentBlockPeriodSeconds =
+            forksSchedule.getFork(round.getSequenceNumber()).getValue().getEmptyBlockPeriodSeconds();
+    final long minimumTimeBetweenBlocksMillis = currentBlockPeriodSeconds * 1000L;
+    final long expiryTime = chainHeadHeader.getTimestamp() * 1_000 + minimumTimeBetweenBlocksMillis;
+
+    setBlockTimes(round, true);
+
+    startTimer(round, expiryTime);
+  }
+
+  private synchronized void startTimer(final ConsensusRoundIdentifier round, final long expiryTime) {
+    cancelTimer();
+    final long now = clock.millis();
+
     if (expiryTime > now) {
       final long delay = expiryTime - now;
 
@@ -98,4 +126,27 @@ public synchronized void startTimer(
       queue.add(new BlockTimerExpiry(round));
     }
   }
+
+  private synchronized void setBlockTimes(final ConsensusRoundIdentifier round, final boolean isEmpty) {
+    final BftConfigOptions currentConfigOptions =  forksSchedule.getFork(round.getSequenceNumber()).getValue();
+    this.blockPeriodSeconds = currentConfigOptions.getBlockPeriodSeconds();
+    this.emptyBlockPeriodSeconds = currentConfigOptions.getEmptyBlockPeriodSeconds();
+
+    long currentBlockPeriodSeconds = isEmpty && this.emptyBlockPeriodSeconds > 0
+            ? this.emptyBlockPeriodSeconds
+            : this.blockPeriodSeconds;
+
+    LOG.debug(
+            "NEW CURRENTBLOCKPERIODSECONDS SET TO {}:  {}"
+            , isEmpty?"EMPTYBLOCKPERIODSECONDS":"BLOCKPERIODSECONDS"
+            , currentBlockPeriodSeconds);
+  }
+
+  public synchronized long getBlockPeriodSeconds(){
+    return blockPeriodSeconds;
+  }
+
+  public synchronized long getEmptyBlockPeriodSeconds(){
+    return emptyBlockPeriodSeconds;
+  }
 }
diff --git a/consensus/common/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/common/bft/MutableBftConfigOptions.java b/consensus/common/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/common/bft/MutableBftConfigOptions.java
index ee8f546bd77..205a4231afb 100644
--- a/consensus/common/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/common/bft/MutableBftConfigOptions.java
+++ b/consensus/common/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/common/bft/MutableBftConfigOptions.java
@@ -24,13 +24,19 @@
 import java.util.Map;
 import java.util.Optional;
 
+import org.slf4j.Logger;
+import org.slf4j.LoggerFactory;
+
 /**
  * A mutable {@link BftConfigOptions} that is used for building config for transitions in the {@link
  * ForksSchedule}*.
  */
 public class MutableBftConfigOptions implements BftConfigOptions {
+
+  private static final Logger LOG = LoggerFactory.getLogger(MutableBftConfigOptions.class);
   private long epochLength;
   private int blockPeriodSeconds;
+  private int emptyBlockPeriodSeconds;
   private int requestTimeoutSeconds;
   private int gossipedHistoryLimit;
   private int messageQueueLimit;
@@ -48,6 +54,7 @@ public class MutableBftConfigOptions implements BftConfigOptions {
   public MutableBftConfigOptions(final BftConfigOptions bftConfigOptions) {
     this.epochLength = bftConfigOptions.getEpochLength();
     this.blockPeriodSeconds = bftConfigOptions.getBlockPeriodSeconds();
+    this.emptyBlockPeriodSeconds = bftConfigOptions.getEmptyBlockPeriodSeconds();
     this.requestTimeoutSeconds = bftConfigOptions.getRequestTimeoutSeconds();
     this.gossipedHistoryLimit = bftConfigOptions.getGossipedHistoryLimit();
     this.messageQueueLimit = bftConfigOptions.getMessageQueueLimit();
@@ -65,9 +72,16 @@ public long getEpochLength() {
 
   @Override
   public int getBlockPeriodSeconds() {
+    LOG.debug("GET BLOCKPERIODSECONDS: " + blockPeriodSeconds);
     return blockPeriodSeconds;
   }
 
+  @Override
+  public int getEmptyBlockPeriodSeconds() {
+    LOG.debug("GET EMPTYBLOCKPERIODSECONDS: " + emptyBlockPeriodSeconds);
+    return emptyBlockPeriodSeconds;
+  }
+
   @Override
   public int getRequestTimeoutSeconds() {
     return requestTimeoutSeconds;
@@ -128,9 +142,20 @@ public void setEpochLength(final long epochLength) {
    * @param blockPeriodSeconds the block period seconds
    */
   public void setBlockPeriodSeconds(final int blockPeriodSeconds) {
+    LOG.info("SET BLOCKPERIODSECONDS: " + blockPeriodSeconds);
     this.blockPeriodSeconds = blockPeriodSeconds;
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Sets empty block period seconds.
+   *
+   * @param emptyBlockPeriodSeconds the empty block period seconds
+   */
+  public void setEmptyBlockPeriodSeconds(final int emptyBlockPeriodSeconds) {
+    LOG.info("SET EMPTYBLOCKPERIODSECONDS: " + emptyBlockPeriodSeconds);
+    this.emptyBlockPeriodSeconds = emptyBlockPeriodSeconds;
+  }
+
   /**
    * Sets request timeout seconds.
    *
diff --git a/consensus/common/src/test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/common/ForksScheduleFactoryTest.java b/consensus/common/src/test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/common/ForksScheduleFactoryTest.java
index 0d10c67f21b..fb50c2684b1 100644
--- a/consensus/common/src/test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/common/ForksScheduleFactoryTest.java
+++ b/consensus/common/src/test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/common/ForksScheduleFactoryTest.java
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ public class ForksScheduleFactoryTest {
   @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
   public void throwsErrorIfHasForkForGenesisBlock() {
     final BftConfigOptions genesisConfigOptions = JsonBftConfigOptions.DEFAULT;
-    final BftFork fork = createFork(0, 10);
+    final BftFork fork = createFork(0, 10, 30);
     final SpecCreator<BftConfigOptions, BftFork> specCreator = Mockito.mock(SpecCreator.class);
 
     assertThatThrownBy(
@@ -49,9 +49,9 @@ public void throwsErrorIfHasForkForGenesisBlock() {
   @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
   public void throwsErrorIfHasForksWithDuplicateBlock() {
     final BftConfigOptions genesisConfigOptions = JsonBftConfigOptions.DEFAULT;
-    final BftFork fork1 = createFork(1, 10);
-    final BftFork fork2 = createFork(1, 20);
-    final BftFork fork3 = createFork(2, 30);
+    final BftFork fork1 = createFork(1, 10, 30);
+    final BftFork fork2 = createFork(1, 20, 60);
+    final BftFork fork3 = createFork(2, 30, 90);
     final SpecCreator<BftConfigOptions, BftFork> specCreator = Mockito.mock(SpecCreator.class);
 
     assertThatThrownBy(
@@ -82,18 +82,20 @@ public void createsScheduleUsingSpecCreator() {
     assertThat(schedule.getFork(2)).isEqualTo(new ForkSpec<>(2, configOptions2));
   }
 
-  private MutableBftConfigOptions createBftConfigOptions(final int blockPeriodSeconds) {
+  private MutableBftConfigOptions createBftConfigOptions(final int blockPeriodSeconds, final int emptyBlockPeriodSeconds) {
     final MutableBftConfigOptions bftConfigOptions =
         new MutableBftConfigOptions(JsonBftConfigOptions.DEFAULT);
     bftConfigOptions.setBlockPeriodSeconds(blockPeriodSeconds);
+    bftConfigOptions.setEmptyBlockPeriodSeconds(emptyBlockPeriodSeconds);
     return bftConfigOptions;
   }
 
-  private BftFork createFork(final long block, final long blockPeriodSeconds) {
+  private BftFork createFork(final long block, final long blockPeriodSeconds, final long emptyBlockPeriodSeconds) {
     return new BftFork(
         JsonUtil.objectNodeFromMap(
             Map.of(
                 BftFork.FORK_BLOCK_KEY, block,
-                BftFork.BLOCK_PERIOD_SECONDS_KEY, blockPeriodSeconds)));
+                    BftFork.BLOCK_PERIOD_SECONDS_KEY, blockPeriodSeconds,
+                    BftFork.EMPTY_BLOCK_PERIOD_SECONDS_KEY, emptyBlockPeriodSeconds)));
   }
 }
diff --git a/consensus/common/src/test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/common/bft/BlockTimerTest.java b/consensus/common/src/test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/common/bft/BlockTimerTest.java
index 23026148114..7f474cf2854 100644
--- a/consensus/common/src/test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/common/bft/BlockTimerTest.java
+++ b/consensus/common/src/test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/common/bft/BlockTimerTest.java
@@ -63,6 +63,13 @@ public void initialise() {
 
   @Test
   public void cancelTimerCancelsWhenNoTimer() {
+    final int MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_BLOCKS_SECONDS = 15;
+    final int MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_EMPTY_BLOCKS_SECONDS = 60;
+
+    when(mockForksSchedule.getFork(anyLong()))
+            .thenReturn(new ForkSpec<>(0, createBftFork(MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_BLOCKS_SECONDS, MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_EMPTY_BLOCKS_SECONDS)));
+
+
     final BlockTimer timer = new BlockTimer(mockQueue, mockForksSchedule, bftExecutors, mockClock);
     // Starts with nothing running
     assertThat(timer.isRunning()).isFalse();
@@ -75,12 +82,13 @@ public void cancelTimerCancelsWhenNoTimer() {
   @Test
   public void startTimerSchedulesCorrectlyWhenExpiryIsInTheFuture() {
     final int MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_BLOCKS_SECONDS = 15;
+    final int MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_EMPTY_BLOCKS_SECONDS = 60;
     final long NOW_MILLIS = 505_000L;
     final long BLOCK_TIME_STAMP = 500L;
     final long EXPECTED_DELAY = 10_000L;
 
     when(mockForksSchedule.getFork(anyLong()))
-        .thenReturn(new ForkSpec<>(0, createBftFork(MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_BLOCKS_SECONDS)));
+            .thenReturn(new ForkSpec<>(0, createBftFork(MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_BLOCKS_SECONDS, MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_EMPTY_BLOCKS_SECONDS)));
 
     final BlockTimer timer = new BlockTimer(mockQueue, mockForksSchedule, bftExecutors, mockClock);
 
@@ -104,12 +112,13 @@ public void startTimerSchedulesCorrectlyWhenExpiryIsInTheFuture() {
   @Test
   public void aBlockTimerExpiryEventIsAddedToTheQueueOnExpiry() throws InterruptedException {
     final int MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_BLOCKS_SECONDS = 1;
+    final int MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_EMPTY_BLOCKS_SECONDS = 10;
     final long NOW_MILLIS = 300_500L;
     final long BLOCK_TIME_STAMP = 300;
     final long EXPECTED_DELAY = 500;
 
     when(mockForksSchedule.getFork(anyLong()))
-        .thenReturn(new ForkSpec<>(0, createBftFork(MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_BLOCKS_SECONDS)));
+            .thenReturn(new ForkSpec<>(0, createBftFork(MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_BLOCKS_SECONDS, MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_EMPTY_BLOCKS_SECONDS)));
     when(mockClock.millis()).thenReturn(NOW_MILLIS);
 
     final BlockHeader header =
@@ -149,11 +158,12 @@ public void aBlockTimerExpiryEventIsAddedToTheQueueOnExpiry() throws Interrupted
   @Test
   public void eventIsImmediatelyAddedToTheQueueIfAbsoluteExpiryIsEqualToNow() {
     final int MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_BLOCKS_SECONDS = 15;
+    final int MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_EMPTY_BLOCKS_SECONDS = 60;
     final long NOW_MILLIS = 515_000L;
     final long BLOCK_TIME_STAMP = 500;
 
     when(mockForksSchedule.getFork(anyLong()))
-        .thenReturn(new ForkSpec<>(0, createBftFork(MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_BLOCKS_SECONDS)));
+            .thenReturn(new ForkSpec<>(0, createBftFork(MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_BLOCKS_SECONDS, MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_EMPTY_BLOCKS_SECONDS)));
 
     final BlockTimer timer = new BlockTimer(mockQueue, mockForksSchedule, bftExecutors, mockClock);
 
@@ -179,11 +189,12 @@ public void eventIsImmediatelyAddedToTheQueueIfAbsoluteExpiryIsEqualToNow() {
   @Test
   public void eventIsImmediatelyAddedToTheQueueIfAbsoluteExpiryIsInThePast() {
     final int MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_BLOCKS_SECONDS = 15;
+    final int MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_EMPTY_BLOCKS_SECONDS = 60;
     final long NOW_MILLIS = 520_000L;
     final long BLOCK_TIME_STAMP = 500L;
 
     when(mockForksSchedule.getFork(anyLong()))
-        .thenReturn(new ForkSpec<>(0, createBftFork(MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_BLOCKS_SECONDS)));
+            .thenReturn(new ForkSpec<>(0, createBftFork(MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_BLOCKS_SECONDS, MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_EMPTY_BLOCKS_SECONDS)));
 
     final BlockTimer timer = new BlockTimer(mockQueue, mockForksSchedule, bftExecutors, mockClock);
 
@@ -209,11 +220,12 @@ public void eventIsImmediatelyAddedToTheQueueIfAbsoluteExpiryIsInThePast() {
   @Test
   public void startTimerCancelsExistingTimer() {
     final int MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_BLOCKS_SECONDS = 15;
+    final int MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_EMPTY_BLOCKS_SECONDS = 60;
     final long NOW_MILLIS = 500_000L;
     final long BLOCK_TIME_STAMP = 500L;
 
     when(mockForksSchedule.getFork(anyLong()))
-        .thenReturn(new ForkSpec<>(0, createBftFork(MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_BLOCKS_SECONDS)));
+            .thenReturn(new ForkSpec<>(0, createBftFork(MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_BLOCKS_SECONDS, MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_EMPTY_BLOCKS_SECONDS)));
 
     final BlockTimer timer = new BlockTimer(mockQueue, mockForksSchedule, bftExecutors, mockClock);
 
@@ -237,11 +249,12 @@ public void startTimerCancelsExistingTimer() {
   @Test
   public void runningFollowsTheStateOfTheTimer() {
     final int MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_BLOCKS_SECONDS = 15;
+    final int MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_EMPTY_BLOCKS_SECONDS = 60;
     final long NOW_MILLIS = 500_000L;
     final long BLOCK_TIME_STAMP = 500L;
 
     when(mockForksSchedule.getFork(anyLong()))
-        .thenReturn(new ForkSpec<>(0, createBftFork(MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_BLOCKS_SECONDS)));
+            .thenReturn(new ForkSpec<>(0, createBftFork(MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_BLOCKS_SECONDS, MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_EMPTY_BLOCKS_SECONDS)));
 
     final BlockTimer timer = new BlockTimer(mockQueue, mockForksSchedule, bftExecutors, mockClock);
 
@@ -263,10 +276,25 @@ public void runningFollowsTheStateOfTheTimer() {
     assertThat(timer.isRunning()).isFalse();
   }
 
-  private BftConfigOptions createBftFork(final int blockPeriodSeconds) {
+  @Test
+  public void checkBlockTimerEmptyAndNonEmptyPeriodSecods() {
+    final int MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_BLOCKS_SECONDS = 15;
+    final int MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_EMPTY_BLOCKS_SECONDS = 60;
+
+    when(mockForksSchedule.getFork(anyLong()))
+            .thenReturn(new ForkSpec<>(0, createBftFork(MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_BLOCKS_SECONDS, MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_EMPTY_BLOCKS_SECONDS)));
+
+    final BlockTimer timer = new BlockTimer(mockQueue, mockForksSchedule, bftExecutors, mockClock);
+
+    assertThat(timer.getBlockPeriodSeconds()).isEqualTo(MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_BLOCKS_SECONDS);
+    assertThat(timer.getEmptyBlockPeriodSeconds()).isEqualTo(MINIMAL_TIME_BETWEEN_EMPTY_BLOCKS_SECONDS);
+  }
+
+  private BftConfigOptions createBftFork(final int blockPeriodSeconds, final int emptyBlockPeriodSeconds) {
     final MutableBftConfigOptions bftConfigOptions =
-        new MutableBftConfigOptions(JsonBftConfigOptions.DEFAULT);
+            new MutableBftConfigOptions(JsonBftConfigOptions.DEFAULT);
     bftConfigOptions.setBlockPeriodSeconds(blockPeriodSeconds);
+    bftConfigOptions.setEmptyBlockPeriodSeconds(emptyBlockPeriodSeconds);
     return bftConfigOptions;
   }
 }
diff --git a/consensus/qbft/src/integration-test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/qbft/support/TestContextBuilder.java b/consensus/qbft/src/integration-test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/qbft/support/TestContextBuilder.java
index f66973ef6a9..539cbeb88dd 100644
--- a/consensus/qbft/src/integration-test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/qbft/support/TestContextBuilder.java
+++ b/consensus/qbft/src/integration-test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/qbft/support/TestContextBuilder.java
@@ -153,6 +153,7 @@ private record ControllerAndState(
   private boolean useFixedBaseFee = false;
   public static final int EPOCH_LENGTH = 10_000;
   public static final int BLOCK_TIMER_SEC = 3;
+  public static final int EMPTY_BLOCK_TIMER_SEC = 30;
   public static final int ROUND_TIMER_SEC = 12;
   public static final int MESSAGE_QUEUE_LIMIT = 1000;
   public static final int GOSSIPED_HISTORY_LIMIT = 100;
@@ -567,6 +568,7 @@ private static QbftConfigOptions createGenesisConfig(final boolean useValidatorC
     final MutableQbftConfigOptions qbftConfigOptions =
         new MutableQbftConfigOptions(JsonQbftConfigOptions.DEFAULT);
     qbftConfigOptions.setBlockPeriodSeconds(BLOCK_TIMER_SEC);
+    qbftConfigOptions.setEmptyBlockPeriodSeconds(EMPTY_BLOCK_TIMER_SEC);
     if (useValidatorContract) {
       qbftConfigOptions.setValidatorContractAddress(
           Optional.of(VALIDATOR_CONTRACT_ADDRESS.toHexString()));
diff --git a/consensus/qbft/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/qbft/QbftBlockHeaderValidationRulesetFactory.java b/consensus/qbft/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/qbft/QbftBlockHeaderValidationRulesetFactory.java
index 028f939d32c..74be52342dc 100644
--- a/consensus/qbft/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/qbft/QbftBlockHeaderValidationRulesetFactory.java
+++ b/consensus/qbft/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/qbft/QbftBlockHeaderValidationRulesetFactory.java
@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@
 import org.hyperledger.besu.ethereum.mainnet.headervalidationrules.GasLimitRangeAndDeltaValidationRule;
 import org.hyperledger.besu.ethereum.mainnet.headervalidationrules.GasUsageValidationRule;
 import org.hyperledger.besu.ethereum.mainnet.headervalidationrules.TimestampBoundedByFutureParameter;
-import org.hyperledger.besu.ethereum.mainnet.headervalidationrules.TimestampMoreRecentThanParent;
 
 import java.util.Optional;
 
@@ -58,7 +57,8 @@ public static BlockHeaderValidator.Builder blockHeaderValidator(
             new GasLimitRangeAndDeltaValidationRule(
                 DEFAULT_MIN_GAS_LIMIT, DEFAULT_MAX_GAS_LIMIT, baseFeeMarket))
         .addRule(new TimestampBoundedByFutureParameter(1))
-        .addRule(new TimestampMoreRecentThanParent(secondsBetweenBlocks))
+        //.addRule(new TimestampMoreRecentThanParent(secondsBetweenBlocks))
+        // removed because of conflict with emptyblockperiodseconds
         .addRule(
             new ConstantFieldValidationRule<>(
                 "MixHash", BlockHeader::getMixHash, BftHelpers.EXPECTED_MIX_HASH))
diff --git a/consensus/qbft/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/qbft/QbftForksSchedulesFactory.java b/consensus/qbft/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/qbft/QbftForksSchedulesFactory.java
index d66897e405d..2b52438dbdb 100644
--- a/consensus/qbft/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/qbft/QbftForksSchedulesFactory.java
+++ b/consensus/qbft/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/qbft/QbftForksSchedulesFactory.java
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ private static QbftConfigOptions createQbftConfigOptions(
         new MutableQbftConfigOptions(lastSpec.getValue());
 
     fork.getBlockPeriodSeconds().ifPresent(bftConfigOptions::setBlockPeriodSeconds);
+    fork.getEmptyBlockPeriodSeconds().ifPresent(bftConfigOptions::setEmptyBlockPeriodSeconds);
     fork.getBlockRewardWei().ifPresent(bftConfigOptions::setBlockRewardWei);
 
     if (fork.isMiningBeneficiaryConfigured()) {
diff --git a/consensus/qbft/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/qbft/statemachine/QbftBlockHeightManager.java b/consensus/qbft/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/qbft/statemachine/QbftBlockHeightManager.java
index 0940d35df6b..d8ecff79a74 100644
--- a/consensus/qbft/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/qbft/statemachine/QbftBlockHeightManager.java
+++ b/consensus/qbft/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/qbft/statemachine/QbftBlockHeightManager.java
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@
 import org.hyperledger.besu.consensus.qbft.validation.FutureRoundProposalMessageValidator;
 import org.hyperledger.besu.consensus.qbft.validation.MessageValidatorFactory;
 import org.hyperledger.besu.datatypes.Address;
+import org.hyperledger.besu.ethereum.core.Block;
 import org.hyperledger.besu.ethereum.core.BlockHeader;
 import org.hyperledger.besu.plugin.services.securitymodule.SecurityModuleException;
 
@@ -130,19 +131,48 @@ public void handleBlockTimerExpiry(final ConsensusRoundIdentifier roundIdentifie
 
     logValidatorChanges(qbftRound);
 
+    if (roundIdentifier.equals(qbftRound.getRoundIdentifier())) {
+      buildBlockAndMaybePropose(roundIdentifier, qbftRound);
+    } else {
+      LOG.trace(
+              "Block timer expired for a round ({}) other than current ({})",
+              roundIdentifier,
+              qbftRound.getRoundIdentifier());
+    }
+  }
+
+  private void buildBlockAndMaybePropose(
+          final ConsensusRoundIdentifier roundIdentifier, final QbftRound qbftRound) {
+
     // mining will be checked against round 0 as the current round is initialised to 0 above
     final boolean isProposer =
-        finalState.isLocalNodeProposerForRound(qbftRound.getRoundIdentifier());
-
-    if (isProposer) {
-      if (roundIdentifier.equals(qbftRound.getRoundIdentifier())) {
-        final long headerTimeStampSeconds = Math.round(clock.millis() / 1000D);
-        qbftRound.createAndSendProposalMessage(headerTimeStampSeconds);
+            finalState.isLocalNodeProposerForRound(qbftRound.getRoundIdentifier());
+
+    final long headerTimeStampSeconds = Math.round(clock.millis() / 1000D);
+    final Block block = qbftRound.createBlock(headerTimeStampSeconds);
+    final boolean blockHasTransactions = !block.getBody().getTransactions().isEmpty();
+    if (blockHasTransactions) {
+      if (isProposer) {
+        LOG.debug("Block has transactions and this node is a proposer so it will send a proposal");
+        qbftRound.sendProposalMessage(block);
+      }else{
+        LOG.debug("Block has transactions but this node is not a proposer so it will not send a proposal");
+      }
+    } else {
+      final long emptyBlockPeriodSeconds = finalState.getBlockTimer().getEmptyBlockPeriodSeconds();
+      final long emptyBlockPeriodExpiryTime = parentHeader.getTimestamp() + emptyBlockPeriodSeconds;
+      final long nowInSeconds = finalState.getClock().millis() / 1000;
+      if (nowInSeconds >= emptyBlockPeriodExpiryTime) {
+        if (isProposer) {
+          LOG.debug("Block has no transactions and this node is a proposer so it will send a proposal");
+          qbftRound.sendProposalMessage(block);
+        } else {
+          LOG.debug("Block has no transactions but this node is not a proposer so it will not send a proposal");
+        }
       } else {
-        LOG.trace(
-            "Block timer expired for a round ({}) other than current ({})",
-            roundIdentifier,
-            qbftRound.getRoundIdentifier());
+        finalState.getRoundTimer().cancelTimer();
+        finalState.getBlockTimer().startEmptyBlockTimer(roundIdentifier, parentHeader);
+        currentRound = Optional.empty();
       }
     }
   }
diff --git a/consensus/qbft/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/qbft/statemachine/QbftRound.java b/consensus/qbft/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/qbft/statemachine/QbftRound.java
index 47db570acc0..c86078773b7 100644
--- a/consensus/qbft/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/qbft/statemachine/QbftRound.java
+++ b/consensus/qbft/src/main/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/qbft/statemachine/QbftRound.java
@@ -127,6 +127,30 @@ public ConsensusRoundIdentifier getRoundIdentifier() {
     return roundState.getRoundIdentifier();
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Create a block
+   *
+   * @return a Block
+   */
+  public Block createBlock(final long headerTimeStampSeconds) {
+    LOG.debug(
+            "Creating proposed block. round={}",
+            roundState.getRoundIdentifier());
+    return blockCreator.createBlock(headerTimeStampSeconds).getBlock();
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Send proposal message.
+   *
+   * @param block to send
+   */
+  public void sendProposalMessage(final Block block) {
+    LOG.debug(
+            "Creating proposed block blockHeader={}",
+            block.getHeader());
+    updateStateWithProposalAndTransmit(block, emptyList(), emptyList());
+  }
+
   /**
    * Create and send proposal message.
    *
diff --git a/consensus/qbft/src/test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/qbft/MutableQbftConfigOptionsTest.java b/consensus/qbft/src/test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/qbft/MutableQbftConfigOptionsTest.java
index d41996d11db..4871648be94 100644
--- a/consensus/qbft/src/test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/qbft/MutableQbftConfigOptionsTest.java
+++ b/consensus/qbft/src/test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/qbft/MutableQbftConfigOptionsTest.java
@@ -41,4 +41,24 @@ public void getValidatorContractAddressNormalization() {
 
     assertThat(mutableQbftConfigOptions.getValidatorContractAddress()).hasValue("0xabc");
   }
+
+  @Test
+  public void checkBlockPeriodSeconds() {
+    when(qbftConfigOptions.getBlockPeriodSeconds()).thenReturn(2);
+
+    final MutableQbftConfigOptions mutableQbftConfigOptions =
+            new MutableQbftConfigOptions(qbftConfigOptions);
+
+    assertThat(mutableQbftConfigOptions.getBlockPeriodSeconds()).isEqualTo(2);
+  }
+
+  @Test
+  public void checkEmptyBlockPeriodSeconds() {
+    when(qbftConfigOptions.getEmptyBlockPeriodSeconds()).thenReturn(60);
+
+    final MutableQbftConfigOptions mutableQbftConfigOptions =
+            new MutableQbftConfigOptions(qbftConfigOptions);
+
+    assertThat(mutableQbftConfigOptions.getEmptyBlockPeriodSeconds()).isEqualTo(60);
+  }
 }
diff --git a/consensus/qbft/src/test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/qbft/statemachine/QbftBlockHeightManagerTest.java b/consensus/qbft/src/test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/qbft/statemachine/QbftBlockHeightManagerTest.java
index a0479860845..6753ed9617b 100644
--- a/consensus/qbft/src/test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/qbft/statemachine/QbftBlockHeightManagerTest.java
+++ b/consensus/qbft/src/test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/qbft/statemachine/QbftBlockHeightManagerTest.java
@@ -157,6 +157,7 @@ public void setup() {
     when(finalState.getBlockTimer()).thenReturn(blockTimer);
     when(finalState.getQuorum()).thenReturn(3);
     when(finalState.getValidatorMulticaster()).thenReturn(validatorMulticaster);
+    when(finalState. getClock()).thenReturn(clock);
     when(blockCreator.createBlock(anyLong()))
         .thenReturn(
             new BlockCreationResult(
@@ -571,4 +572,24 @@ public void illegalFutureRoundProposalDoesNotTriggerNewRound() {
     manager.handleProposalPayload(futureRoundProposal);
     verify(roundFactory, never()).createNewRound(any(), anyInt());
   }
+
+  @Test
+  public void checkOnlyEmptyBlockPeriodSecondsIsInvokedForBlocksWithNoTransactions() {
+    when(finalState.isLocalNodeProposerForRound(roundIdentifier)).thenReturn(true);
+
+    final QbftBlockHeightManager manager =
+            new QbftBlockHeightManager(
+                    headerTestFixture.buildHeader(),
+                    finalState,
+                    roundChangeManager,
+                    roundFactory,
+                    clock,
+                    messageValidatorFactory,
+                    messageFactory);
+
+    manager.handleBlockTimerExpiry(roundIdentifier);
+
+    verify(blockTimer, atLeastOnce()).getEmptyBlockPeriodSeconds();
+    verify(blockTimer, times(0)).getBlockPeriodSeconds();
+  }
 }
diff --git a/consensus/qbft/src/test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/qbft/validator/QbftForksSchedulesFactoryTest.java b/consensus/qbft/src/test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/qbft/validator/QbftForksSchedulesFactoryTest.java
index abb75426d0a..7be9e96f488 100644
--- a/consensus/qbft/src/test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/qbft/validator/QbftForksSchedulesFactoryTest.java
+++ b/consensus/qbft/src/test/java/org/hyperledger/besu/consensus/qbft/validator/QbftForksSchedulesFactoryTest.java
@@ -63,6 +63,8 @@ public void createsScheduleWithForkThatOverridesGenesisValues() {
                 List.of("1", "2", "3"),
                 BftFork.BLOCK_PERIOD_SECONDS_KEY,
                 10,
+                BftFork.EMPTY_BLOCK_PERIOD_SECONDS_KEY,
+                60,
                 BftFork.BLOCK_REWARD_KEY,
                 "5",
                 QbftFork.VALIDATOR_SELECTION_MODE_KEY,
@@ -78,6 +80,7 @@ public void createsScheduleWithForkThatOverridesGenesisValues() {
 
     final Map<String, Object> forkOptions = new HashMap<>(configOptions.asMap());
     forkOptions.put(BftFork.BLOCK_PERIOD_SECONDS_KEY, 10);
+    forkOptions.put(BftFork.EMPTY_BLOCK_PERIOD_SECONDS_KEY, 60);
     forkOptions.put(BftFork.BLOCK_REWARD_KEY, "5");
     forkOptions.put(QbftFork.VALIDATOR_SELECTION_MODE_KEY, "5");
     forkOptions.put(QbftFork.VALIDATOR_CONTRACT_ADDRESS_KEY, "10");
diff --git a/network/genesis.json b/network/genesis.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..a6c30eed18f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/network/genesis.json
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+{
+  "config" : {
+    "chainId" : 1337,
+    "berlinBlock" : 0,
+    "qbft" : {
+      "blockperiodseconds" : 2,
+      "epochlength" : 30000,
+      "requesttimeoutseconds" : 4
+    },
+    "transitions" : {
+      "qbft" : [{
+        "block": 10,
+        "blockperiodseconds" : 5,
+        "emptyblockperiodseconds" : 10
+      }]
+    }
+  },
+  "nonce" : "0x0",
+  "timestamp" : "0x58ee40ba",
+  "gasLimit" : "0x47b760",
+  "difficulty" : "0x1",
+  "mixHash" : "0x63746963616c2062797a616e74696e65206661756c7420746f6c6572616e6365",
+  "coinbase" : "0x0000000000000000000000000000000000000000",
+  "alloc" : {
+    "fe3b557e8fb62b89f4916b721be55ceb828dbd73" : {
+      "privateKey" : "8f2a55949038a9610f50fb23b5883af3b4ecb3c3bb792cbcefbd1542c692be63",
+      "comment" : "private key and this comment are ignored.  In a real chain, the private key should NOT be stored",
+      "balance" : "0xad78ebc5ac6200000"
+    },
+    "627306090abaB3A6e1400e9345bC60c78a8BEf57" : {
+      "privateKey" : "c87509a1c067bbde78beb793e6fa76530b6382a4c0241e5e4a9ec0a0f44dc0d3",
+      "comment" : "private key and this comment are ignored.  In a real chain, the private key should NOT be stored",
+      "balance" : "90000000000000000000000"
+    },
+    "f17f52151EbEF6C7334FAD080c5704D77216b732" : {
+      "privateKey" : "ae6ae8e5ccbfb04590405997ee2d52d2b330726137b875053c36d94e974d162f",
+      "comment" : "private key and this comment are ignored.  In a real chain, the private key should NOT be stored",
+      "balance" : "90000000000000000000000"
+    }
+  },
+  "extraData" : "0xf87aa00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000f85494a812ab4e5b4b25b3ce2be85eb31aa8cacddb42859435f6082fd694bba9c95b9dbbcb3074fc14e6deaf942238afc5cfe2a508868d82e10ce0d8d8ba00a8359421afbac4d309b7fa6e40862eaee847cc8f544045c080c0"
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/network/networkFiles/genesis.json b/network/networkFiles/genesis.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e1b425151e0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/network/networkFiles/genesis.json
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+{
+  "config" : {
+    "chainId" : 1337,
+    "berlinBlock" : 0,
+    "qbft" : {
+      "blockperiodseconds" : 2,
+      "epochlength" : 30000,
+      "requesttimeoutseconds" : 4
+    }
+  },
+  "nonce" : "0x0",
+  "timestamp" : "0x58ee40ba",
+  "gasLimit" : "0x47b760",
+  "difficulty" : "0x1",
+  "mixHash" : "0x63746963616c2062797a616e74696e65206661756c7420746f6c6572616e6365",
+  "coinbase" : "0x0000000000000000000000000000000000000000",
+  "alloc" : {
+    "fe3b557e8fb62b89f4916b721be55ceb828dbd73" : {
+      "privateKey" : "8f2a55949038a9610f50fb23b5883af3b4ecb3c3bb792cbcefbd1542c692be63",
+      "comment" : "private key and this comment are ignored.  In a real chain, the private key should NOT be stored",
+      "balance" : "0xad78ebc5ac6200000"
+    },
+    "627306090abaB3A6e1400e9345bC60c78a8BEf57" : {
+      "privateKey" : "c87509a1c067bbde78beb793e6fa76530b6382a4c0241e5e4a9ec0a0f44dc0d3",
+      "comment" : "private key and this comment are ignored.  In a real chain, the private key should NOT be stored",
+      "balance" : "90000000000000000000000"
+    },
+    "f17f52151EbEF6C7334FAD080c5704D77216b732" : {
+      "privateKey" : "ae6ae8e5ccbfb04590405997ee2d52d2b330726137b875053c36d94e974d162f",
+      "comment" : "private key and this comment are ignored.  In a real chain, the private key should NOT be stored",
+      "balance" : "90000000000000000000000"
+    }
+  },
+  "extraData" : "0xf87aa00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000f85494a812ab4e5b4b25b3ce2be85eb31aa8cacddb42859435f6082fd694bba9c95b9dbbcb3074fc14e6deaf942238afc5cfe2a508868d82e10ce0d8d8ba00a8359421afbac4d309b7fa6e40862eaee847cc8f544045c080c0"
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/network/networkFiles/keys/0x21afbac4d309b7fa6e40862eaee847cc8f544045/key b/network/networkFiles/keys/0x21afbac4d309b7fa6e40862eaee847cc8f544045/key
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..0d3379199b5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/network/networkFiles/keys/0x21afbac4d309b7fa6e40862eaee847cc8f544045/key
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+0x43a4d82d9ac09cf0230935620b615f7aafbb5e764c127c1d571ffa5c348849c1
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/network/networkFiles/keys/0x21afbac4d309b7fa6e40862eaee847cc8f544045/key.pub b/network/networkFiles/keys/0x21afbac4d309b7fa6e40862eaee847cc8f544045/key.pub
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..09c178ee53b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/network/networkFiles/keys/0x21afbac4d309b7fa6e40862eaee847cc8f544045/key.pub
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+0x7c19f5309e268264c9a986704a2f24e01f466a541ef910f68cc831324ba1ee2cb96dad8c5071139dc3419fd37f920f20158e7563040eaf4b20a7da0930e7cbda
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/network/networkFiles/keys/0x2238afc5cfe2a508868d82e10ce0d8d8ba00a835/key b/network/networkFiles/keys/0x2238afc5cfe2a508868d82e10ce0d8d8ba00a835/key
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..01ab7726075
--- /dev/null
+++ b/network/networkFiles/keys/0x2238afc5cfe2a508868d82e10ce0d8d8ba00a835/key
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+0x15d6355c6d453133b82f89ed416e05ecbc0ab263cc9112c8970f9b91e9957ee4
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/network/networkFiles/keys/0x2238afc5cfe2a508868d82e10ce0d8d8ba00a835/key.pub b/network/networkFiles/keys/0x2238afc5cfe2a508868d82e10ce0d8d8ba00a835/key.pub
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..036024838d7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/network/networkFiles/keys/0x2238afc5cfe2a508868d82e10ce0d8d8ba00a835/key.pub
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+0x27f7e147e6f7b7339eecbb9cf8f9d46446badf1b817f5534bf82711263bed87f7c2fb883f3ffba4c62bc6fb52f6f5b141386c5003fc3bd96e0de098fd9529d39
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/network/networkFiles/keys/0x35f6082fd694bba9c95b9dbbcb3074fc14e6deaf/key b/network/networkFiles/keys/0x35f6082fd694bba9c95b9dbbcb3074fc14e6deaf/key
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..6e2f4447ccf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/network/networkFiles/keys/0x35f6082fd694bba9c95b9dbbcb3074fc14e6deaf/key
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+0xcbcfa2b9638a230103c410b10ba5f50e800a84d8a7b9aff86284851394ba0965
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/network/networkFiles/keys/0x35f6082fd694bba9c95b9dbbcb3074fc14e6deaf/key.pub b/network/networkFiles/keys/0x35f6082fd694bba9c95b9dbbcb3074fc14e6deaf/key.pub
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..77626ce0cf7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/network/networkFiles/keys/0x35f6082fd694bba9c95b9dbbcb3074fc14e6deaf/key.pub
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+0x104c0a6c985ad5e3be975eb4446e9db70e46af055f9e48d2c20383cbdcbef357e5c8b441f59f5e15e0d3b8b419cb1b9bb09d064fb186e1c5285b7ab550e71cf6
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/network/networkFiles/keys/0xa812ab4e5b4b25b3ce2be85eb31aa8cacddb4285/key b/network/networkFiles/keys/0xa812ab4e5b4b25b3ce2be85eb31aa8cacddb4285/key
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..b33c81c2351
--- /dev/null
+++ b/network/networkFiles/keys/0xa812ab4e5b4b25b3ce2be85eb31aa8cacddb4285/key
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+0x451f173b41e811d6814edae8459eebf5f73d320fa35b425d9bf4f2c3606d0486
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/network/networkFiles/keys/0xa812ab4e5b4b25b3ce2be85eb31aa8cacddb4285/key.pub b/network/networkFiles/keys/0xa812ab4e5b4b25b3ce2be85eb31aa8cacddb4285/key.pub
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..ecfc5490304
--- /dev/null
+++ b/network/networkFiles/keys/0xa812ab4e5b4b25b3ce2be85eb31aa8cacddb4285/key.pub
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+0x616facee9781f71d22e43163a6319821925a42ce69d9066fb274baf0dad98a0b7b48a4e1fc4ea4c61135caab455a04df79fe781b1d4587126c5ae2aabc82fb43
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/network/node-1/data/key b/network/node-1/data/key
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..0d3379199b5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/network/node-1/data/key
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+0x43a4d82d9ac09cf0230935620b615f7aafbb5e764c127c1d571ffa5c348849c1
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/network/node-1/data/key.pub b/network/node-1/data/key.pub
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..09c178ee53b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/network/node-1/data/key.pub
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+0x7c19f5309e268264c9a986704a2f24e01f466a541ef910f68cc831324ba1ee2cb96dad8c5071139dc3419fd37f920f20158e7563040eaf4b20a7da0930e7cbda
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/network/node-2/data/key b/network/node-2/data/key
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..6e2f4447ccf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/network/node-2/data/key
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+0xcbcfa2b9638a230103c410b10ba5f50e800a84d8a7b9aff86284851394ba0965
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/network/node-2/data/key.pub b/network/node-2/data/key.pub
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..77626ce0cf7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/network/node-2/data/key.pub
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+0x104c0a6c985ad5e3be975eb4446e9db70e46af055f9e48d2c20383cbdcbef357e5c8b441f59f5e15e0d3b8b419cb1b9bb09d064fb186e1c5285b7ab550e71cf6
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/network/node-3/data/key b/network/node-3/data/key
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..01ab7726075
--- /dev/null
+++ b/network/node-3/data/key
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+0x15d6355c6d453133b82f89ed416e05ecbc0ab263cc9112c8970f9b91e9957ee4
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/network/node-3/data/key.pub b/network/node-3/data/key.pub
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..036024838d7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/network/node-3/data/key.pub
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+0x27f7e147e6f7b7339eecbb9cf8f9d46446badf1b817f5534bf82711263bed87f7c2fb883f3ffba4c62bc6fb52f6f5b141386c5003fc3bd96e0de098fd9529d39
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/network/node-4/data/key b/network/node-4/data/key
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..b33c81c2351
--- /dev/null
+++ b/network/node-4/data/key
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+0x451f173b41e811d6814edae8459eebf5f73d320fa35b425d9bf4f2c3606d0486
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/network/node-4/data/key.pub b/network/node-4/data/key.pub
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..ecfc5490304
--- /dev/null
+++ b/network/node-4/data/key.pub
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+0x616facee9781f71d22e43163a6319821925a42ce69d9066fb274baf0dad98a0b7b48a4e1fc4ea4c61135caab455a04df79fe781b1d4587126c5ae2aabc82fb43
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/network/qbftConfigFile.json b/network/qbftConfigFile.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..db3e3980a8d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/network/qbftConfigFile.json
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+{
+    "genesis": {
+      "config": {
+        "chainId": 1337,
+        "berlinBlock": 0,
+        "qbft": {
+          "blockperiodseconds": 2,
+          "epochlength": 30000,
+          "requesttimeoutseconds": 4
+        }
+      },
+      "nonce": "0x0",
+      "timestamp": "0x58ee40ba",
+      "gasLimit": "0x47b760",
+      "difficulty": "0x1",
+      "mixHash": "0x63746963616c2062797a616e74696e65206661756c7420746f6c6572616e6365",
+      "coinbase": "0x0000000000000000000000000000000000000000",
+      "alloc": {
+        "fe3b557e8fb62b89f4916b721be55ceb828dbd73": {
+          "privateKey": "8f2a55949038a9610f50fb23b5883af3b4ecb3c3bb792cbcefbd1542c692be63",
+          "comment": "private key and this comment are ignored.  In a real chain, the private key should NOT be stored",
+          "balance": "0xad78ebc5ac6200000"
+        },
+        "627306090abaB3A6e1400e9345bC60c78a8BEf57": {
+          "privateKey": "c87509a1c067bbde78beb793e6fa76530b6382a4c0241e5e4a9ec0a0f44dc0d3",
+          "comment": "private key and this comment are ignored.  In a real chain, the private key should NOT be stored",
+          "balance": "90000000000000000000000"
+        },
+        "f17f52151EbEF6C7334FAD080c5704D77216b732": {
+          "privateKey": "ae6ae8e5ccbfb04590405997ee2d52d2b330726137b875053c36d94e974d162f",
+          "comment": "private key and this comment are ignored.  In a real chain, the private key should NOT be stored",
+          "balance": "90000000000000000000000"
+        }
+      }
+    },
+    "blockchain": {
+      "nodes": {
+        "generate": true,
+        "count": 4
+      }
+    }
+  }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/network/readme.md b/network/readme.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..7d667eedc2a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/network/readme.md
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+## How To's
+
+### How to buils besu
+- Go to the root dir of the project
+  - ./gradlew installDist [--offline]
+
+### How to start the network
+- Go to the root dir of the project
+  - cd network
+  - sh start.sh
+### How to stop the network
+- On the same terminal
+  - CTRL+C
+
+(this will stop all 4 nodes)
+
+### How to use the start script
+- **sh start.sh**
+  - starts the 4 nodes with the current config and data
+- **sh start.sh --no-data**
+  - starts the 4 nodes with no data
+- **sh start.sh --no-data --only**
+  - removes all 4 nodes data, do not start nodes
+  
+  
+
+## Notes
+- First time the network runs new databases will be created
+- To add/change the _emptyBlockPeriodSeconds_ setting go to the _config_ section of the **genesis file** and add/change it, and restart the network
+
+## Resources
+- https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/6944
+- https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/3810
+- https://github.com/siladu/besu/tree/wip-qbft-empty-block-period
+- https://github.com/Consensys/quorum/pull/1433
+- https://docs.goquorum.consensys.io/configure-and-manage/configure/consensus-protocols/qbft#configure-block-time-on-an-existing-network
+- https://besu.hyperledger.org/private-networks/tutorials/qbft
diff --git a/network/start.sh b/network/start.sh
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..7dadcaab266
--- /dev/null
+++ b/network/start.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+if [[ "$1" == "--no-data" ]]
+  then
+    echo "Cleaning data..."
+    kill $(ps -ef | grep -v grep | grep java | awk '{print $2}') &>/dev/null
+    find ./node-1/data/* ! -wholename './node-1/data/key*' -exec rm -rf {} +
+    find ./node-2/data/* ! -wholename './node-2/data/key*' -exec rm -rf {} +
+    find ./node-3/data/* ! -wholename './node-3/data/key*' -exec rm -rf {} +
+    find ./node-4/data/* ! -wholename './node-4/data/key*' -exec rm -rf {} +
+    find . -name "node.log" -delete
+    if [[ "$2" == "--only" ]]
+      then
+          echo "Done!"
+          exit 0
+    fi
+fi
+
+stty -echo
+echo Starting 4 nodes, please wait for logs...
+
+cd ./node-4
+../../build/install/besu/bin/besu --data-path=data --genesis-file=../genesis.json --bootnodes=enode://7c19f5309e268264c9a986704a2f24e01f466a541ef910f68cc831324ba1ee2cb96dad8c5071139dc3419fd37f920f20158e7563040eaf4b20a7da0930e7cbda@127.0.0.1:30303 --p2p-port=30306 --rpc-http-enabled --rpc-http-api=ETH,NET,QBFT --host-allowlist="*" --rpc-http-cors-origins="all" --rpc-http-port=8548 &> ./node.log &
+
+cd ../node-3
+../../build/install/besu/bin/besu --data-path=data --genesis-file=../genesis.json --bootnodes=enode://7c19f5309e268264c9a986704a2f24e01f466a541ef910f68cc831324ba1ee2cb96dad8c5071139dc3419fd37f920f20158e7563040eaf4b20a7da0930e7cbda@127.0.0.1:30303 --p2p-port=30305 --rpc-http-enabled --rpc-http-api=ETH,NET,QBFT --host-allowlist="*" --rpc-http-cors-origins="all" --rpc-http-port=8547 &> ./node.log &
+
+cd ../node-2
+../../build/install/besu/bin/besu --logging=DEBUG --data-path=data --genesis-file=../genesis.json --bootnodes=enode://7c19f5309e268264c9a986704a2f24e01f466a541ef910f68cc831324ba1ee2cb96dad8c5071139dc3419fd37f920f20158e7563040eaf4b20a7da0930e7cbda@127.0.0.1:30303 --p2p-port=30304 --rpc-http-enabled --rpc-http-api=ETH,NET,QBFT --host-allowlist="*" --rpc-http-cors-origins="all" --rpc-http-port=8546 &> ./node.log &
+
+cd ../node-1
+export BESU OPTS=-agentLib:jdwp==transport=dt_socket,server=y,suspend=no,address=5000 
+../../build/install/besu/bin/besu --data-path=data --genesis-file=../genesis.json --rpc-http-enabled --rpc-http-api=ETH,NET,QBFT --host-allowlist="*" --rpc-http-cors-origins="all"
+unset BESU OPTS
+cd ..
+
+echo 
+echo Stopping nodes $(ps -ef | grep -v grep | grep -v defunct | grep java | awk '{print $2}')
+kill $(ps -ef | grep -v grep | grep java | awk '{print $2}') &>/dev/null
+
+stty echo