P2P Electricity Research Articles

Peer-to-peer (P2P) electricity trading in distribution systems of the future

Recent years distribution systems have been witnessed a rapid interconnection of distributed energy resources (DER), solar energy generation and electric vehicles (EV) in particular. To this end, residential and commercial electricity customers equipped with DERs are transforming their roles from pure electricity consumers to prosumers that can switch between electricity consumers and producers. Indeed, if properly managed, DERs of prosumers could bring significant benefits to distribution system operations. Peer-to-peer (P2P) electricity trading in distribution systems has been recently explored, in order to properly manage existing prosumers and to continually promote a deeper penetration of prosumers. This article discusses two types of P2P mechanisms, namely auction-based and bilateral contract-based P2P electricity trading mechanisms, and analyze their effectiveness in properly managing electricity trading among prosumers in distribution systems of the future.

Peer-to-peer electricity trading: A review of the legal context

The peer-to-peer (P2P) trading of electricity is a recently developed type of transaction in the electricity system. In a P2P electricity trade, two equal market participants, in most cases prosumers, conclude a contract for the trade of electricity. This article provides a review of the legal context of P2P electricity trading, with a focus on European energy law. Furthermore, the article discusses the relation of P2P electricity trading to the phenomenon of the collaborative economy and to parallel technological developments taking place in the electricity system. We conclude that while the current state of European Union energy law might in principle allow P2P electricity trading, the lack of specific provisions is likely to cause issues in practice.

Enabling Localized Peer-to-Peer Electricity Trading Among Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles Using Consortium Blockchains

We propose a localized peer-to-peer (P2P) electricity trading model for locally buying and selling electricity among plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in smart grids. Unlike traditional schemes, which transport electricity over long distances and through complex electricity transportation meshes, our proposed model achieves demand response by providing incentives to discharging PHEVs to balance local electricity demand out of their own self-interests. However, since transaction security and privacy protection issues present serious challenges, we explore a promising consortium blockchain technology to improve transaction security without reliance on a trusted third party. A localized P 2P E lectricity T rading system with CO nsortium blockchai N (PETCON) method is proposed to illustrate detailed operations of localized P2P electricity trading. Moreover, the electricity pricing and the amount of traded electricity among PHEVs are solved by an iterative double auction mechanism to maximize social welfare in this electricity trading. Security analysis shows that our proposed PETCON improves transaction security and privacy protection. Numerical results based on a real map of Texas indicate that the double auction mechanism can achieve social welfare maximization while protecting privacy of the PHEVs.

Comparative review and discussion on P2P electricity trading

The peer to peer (P2P) electricity trading without the need for utilities is expected to increase as the awareness of the shared economy has grown and the microgrid has spread. Furthermore, the development of renewable energy technology and the Internet technology will accelerate the dissemination of the new system. In this light, this study compares the major P2P electricity trading cases being promoted and reviews the potential development and future challenges. Since there have been little case studies of P2P electricity trading published, this study could be used as valuable information for government and corporations that are promoting or pursuing P2P electricity trading business.