An Exploratory Study of the Perception of Peer-to-Peer Energy Trading within the Power Distribution Network in the UAE

Abstract

The introduction of Smart Grid resulted in the development of various applications that are built upon the concept of bi-directional flow of electricity and data. One of the Smart Grids pillars is the Distributed Generation (DG) technologies, where customers turn to be prosumers with power generation capability. Another pillar is the Demand Side Management (DSM), which helps control the energy consumption by changing the power usage slots among other peers. DG and DSM have facilitated the sharing of excess power by customers to the grid, and then to their peers through the grid as a trading agent. Although the concept of integrating Peer-to-Peer energy trading with DSM has been explored by scholars and relatively established trading frameworks, there are very limited research performed in respect to the UAE market in terms of its acceptance and readiness towards this energy trading market. This research aims to explore the perception of Peer-to-Peer electricity trading within the Power Distribution Network in the United Arab Emirates. The study will review the Smart Grid network in the UAE and will obtain insights on people’s perception of the transition from classical electricity network to Smart Grid. It will also look into peoples’ perception regarding the transition from being electricity consumers to being electricity producers that trade among peers through semi-structured interviews. This will enhance the understanding of the energy trading market between self-generated power producers connected to a network grid, where the consumer will be utilizing the excess power available in the form of electricity trading, by importing and exporting power, without adding any additional power to the grid. The outcome of the study will provide an insight on the UAE electricity market by designing an electricity trading model that is built upon the following vital factors: power quality, supply reliability, type of integration, peers, and trading time. Furthermore, the study will provide a foundation base to the utilities, as well as individuals, when dealing with the changes in the electricity market structure.