Peer-to-Peer Energy Exchanges Model to optimize the Integration of Renewable Energy Sources: the E-Cube Project

Future electricity networks will more and more rely on distributed generation and on the increased interaction between consumers and prosumers. In fact, the Renewable Energy Directive recast 2018/2001 has set an important role for the so called “energy communities” which are going to be enabled to produce, consume, store and sell renewable energy. This paper presents a prosumer self-consumption optimization model, working in real-time and in synergy with a peer-to-peer surplus solar electricity sharing model. These models are then applied within a small Energy Community, where the prosumer is also a battery energy storage system (BESS) owner. Test results are presented in terms of technical, environmental and economic benefits and show that peer-to-peer energy trading could improve the local balance of energy generation and consumption. Both models have been developed within E-Cube project activities, participated also by the University of Florence. Other E-Cube project activities include optimal scheduling of household appliances use for demand response, the use of electric vehicles (EVs) as means of energy exchange and the implementation of a blockchain-based “Energy Bank”, used to securely track peer-topeer energy exchange data.