Prosumer communities as strategic allies for electric utilities

Exploring future decentralization trends in Switzerland

Journal article (2019)

Authors

Juliana Zapata Riveros Zurich University of Applied Science (ZHAW)

M.D. Kubli University of St. Gallen, Zurich University of Applied Science (ZHAW)

Silvia Ulli-Beer Zurich University of Applied Science (ZHAW)

Affiliation

External organisation

Photovoltaic Decentralization Business strategies System dynamics Prosumer communities

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Published Date

2019

Language

English

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Abstract

A prosumer community is a group of households that are organized together to consume energy from a common decentralized generation system such as solar photovoltaic (PV). The development of prosumer communities poses a threat to electric utilities, which currently apply a business model for centralized generation, sales and distribution of electricity. This study uses a System Dynamics simulation approach to analyze the various factors influencing the diffusion of “prosumer communities”, based on a case study in Switzerland, and provides insights into potential business opportunities for electric utilities in managing this transition challenge.