Overview
How can we improve renewable energy integration using innovative markets? What is the role of peer-to-peer markets in a decarbonised, democratised energy system? What impact will peer-to-peer markets, transactive markets, and energy communities have on the electricity network?
The Peer-to-Peer energy project focuses on grid integration of innovative marketplaces. Its primary focus is the development of grid-reflective pricing for a peer to peer market currently being deployed in Liechtenstein (eNet), where HSLU is responsible for designing the grid pricing approach, modelling its impact, and supporting its integration in the market platform.
The eNet project aims to develop an energy trading platform that consists of two important components: a P2P (peer-to-peer) energy exchange platform and a dynamic network tariff model. The project is in collaboration with Virtual Global Systems (VGS) and Liechtensteinische Kraftwerke (LKW). It will be introduced in a real environment, in the distribution network of LKW where 25000 smart metering points are already installed.
The rise of PV installations on rooftops and residential storage will enable a significant mix of clean energy in the grid. P2P energy platforms are in the research focus on enable small customers to actively participate in energy markets, and become prosumers. Network tariffs are currently only levied on consumers (not producers) of electricity and there is no distinction made based on the centralised or decentralised source of the electricity, regardless of the consumer’s proximity to the source of generation.
As a part of the eNet project, together with VGS, HSLU plans to develop and test novel dynamic tariffs that promote trading between neighbours in order to avoid congestion and promote efficient usage of the distribution grid.
The first part of the project studies the possible impact of P2P trading on the physical grid in terms of thermal and voltage limits. Then, network tariffs will be verified and tested on the synthetic test system and load profile data. In the end, demonstration is planned on LKW network.
In connection with the project, HSLU also leads Subtask 1 of the IEA's Global Observatory for peer to peer and transactive marketplaces, which is concerned with power systems integration. HSLU was also recently successful in securing Innosuisse funding to investigate grid pricing in peer-to-peer markets.
