Emerging business models in local energy markets: a systematic review of peer-to-peer, community self-consumption, and transactive energy models

J.M. Schwidtal, P. Piccini, M. Troncia, R. Chitchyan, M. Montakhabi, C. Francis, A. Gorbatcheva, T. Capper, M.A. Mustafa, M. Andoni, V. Robu, M. Bahloul, I.J. Scott, T. Mbavarira, J.M. España, L. Kiesling

Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews Vol. 179, pp. 113273-1 - 113273-48

Summary:

The emergence of peer-to-peer, collective or community self-consumption, and transactive energy concepts gives rise to new configurations of business models for local energy trading among a variety of actors. Much attention has been paid in the academic literature to the transition of the underlying energy system with its macroeconomic market framework. However, fewer contributions focus on the microeconomic aspects of the broad set of involved actors. Even though specific case studies highlight single business models, a comprehensive analysis of emerging business models for the entire set of actors is missing. Following this research gap, this paper conducts a systematic literature review of 135 peer-reviewed journal articles to examine business models of actors operating in local energy markets. From 221 businesses in the reviewed literature, nine macro-actor categories are identified. For each type of market actor, a business model archetype is determined and characterised using the business model canvas. The key elements of each business model archetype are discussed, and areas are highlighted where further research is needed. Finally, this paper outlines the differences of business models for their presence in the three local energy market models. Focusing on the identified customers and partner relationships, this study highlights the key actors per market model and the character of the interactions between market participants.

Spanish layman's summary:

El artículo revisa la literatura sobre modelos de negocio en los mercados locales de energía, identificando nueve categorías de actores y caracterizando su modelo de negocio con el Business Model Canvas.

English layman's summary:

The article reviews the literature on business models in local energy markets, identifying nine categories of actors and characterizing their business model with the Business Model Canvas.

Keywords: Peer-to-peer; Self-consumption; Transactive energy; Local energy market; Business model canvas; Electricity trading; Flexibility provision; Prosumer; Consumer; Aggregator; Smart local energy

JCR Impact Factor and WoS quartile: 15,900 - Q1 (2022)

DOI reference: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2023.113273

Published on paper: June 2023.

Published on-line: April 2023.

Citation:
J.M. Schwidtal, P. Piccini, M. Troncia, R. Chitchyan, M. Montakhabi, C. Francis, A. Gorbatcheva, T. Capper, M.A. Mustafa, M. Andoni, V. Robu, M. Bahloul, I.J. Scott, T. Mbavarira, J.M. España, L. Kiesling, Emerging business models in local energy markets: a systematic review of peer-to-peer, community self-consumption, and transactive energy models. Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews. Vol. 179, pp. 113273-1 - 113273-48, June 2023. [Online: April 2023]