Business models for Peer-to-Peer Energy Markets

The increasing penetration of Distributed Energy Resources is changing the energy system by empowering consumers with the capacity to generate the electrical energy they need and sell its excess. This trend follows the EU strategy towards increasing competition and flexibility on the electricity market, as well as pushing the role of customers, expanding their rights and their involvement in energy communities (ECMs). Peer-to-Peer (P2P) energy markets appear as one of the possible solutions to accomplish these goals by providing direct energy trading between peers. Although P2P are being extensively addressed in the literature (e.g., market structures and platforms, experimental projects), few works offer a broad perspective of the different aspects involved in the actual implementation of these structures, as well as the real benefits that this type of markets can have for the players and for the system itself. This paper reviews business models related with ECMs and P2P markets, and the system benefits and main regulatory issues.