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

• Published in: Renewable & sustainable energy reviews Vol. 179; p. 113273
• Main Authors: Schwidtal, J.M., Piccini, P., Troncia, M., Chitchyan, R., Montakhabi, M., Francis, C., Gorbatcheva, A., Capper, T., Mustafa, M.A., Andoni, M., Robu, V., Bahloul, M., Scott, I.J., Mbavarira, T., España, J.M., Kiesling, L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-06-2023
• Subjects: Aggregator; Business model canvas; Consumer; Electricity trading; Flexibility provision; Local energy market; Peer-to-peer; Prosumer; Self-consumption; Smart local energy; Transactive energy; Transactive energy; Prosumer; Flexibility provision; Consumer; Self-consumption; Peer-to-peer; Local energy market; Aggregator; Electricity trading; Smart local energy; Business model canvas
• ISSN: 1364-0321; 1879-0690
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2023.113273

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.
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•Systematic literature review of 135 peer-reviewed journal articles.•Structured analysis with the business model canvas framework from Osterwalder.•Shedding light on emerging business models in markets for local energy trading.•Macro actor categories in P2P, CSC, and TE models are identified and characterised.•Value propositions, key partner and customers and financial structures are discussed.