BEYOND

The digitalisation of electricity grids will enable the system integration of larger shares of fluctuating and decentralised renewable energy feed-ins. In this context, the BEYOND project aims to test market models for the integration of local/regional smart grids and markets into the higher-level grid levels. In this area, blockchain technologies will enable new business models for these electricity markets, such as peer-to-peer trading (P2P), i.e. the direct trading of energy between prosumers, the swarm utilisation of storage facilities and demand response measures. The development of regional market rules is intended to support local or regional energy trading, with a particular focus on the type and characteristics of distributed generation. The specific rules for local energy prices, grid services and the consideration of digital tools, in particular blockchain, should enable the integration of P2P trading into existing superordinate market mechanisms. This developed solution will be demonstrated in four international pilot activities.

The aims of the project are

• Evaluate blockchain technology in terms of its suitability for establishing a local trading platform
• Establish a bidirectional communication platform between electricity markets and a local community of prosumers engaging in P2P and flexibility trading
• Development of new business models for P2P trading in a local or regional system to enable the market integration of renewables beyond fixed feed-in tariffs
• Quantifying cost benefits through local and regional prosumer associations and integration into existing energy markets

The aim of the project is to work on the issues and pilot applications in three European countries (Austria, Norway, Ireland).