scholarly journals The Digital Transformation of the Retail Electricity Market in Spain

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 2085
Author(s):  
Julián Chaparro-Peláez ◽  
Emiliano Acquila-Natale ◽  
Ángel Hernández-García ◽  
Santiago Iglesias-Pradas

The deregulation of the electricity markets in the European Union and the transformation caused by digital technologies and customer-centric strategies have altered the industry ecosystem, forcing companies to adapt to the new scenario. This research study aims to give a global overview of the digital transformation and channel integration of free-market electricity retailers in Spain from a consumer’s perspective. The analysis includes all free-market electricity retailers that operate at the national scale, explores the level of digital transformation and channel integration of these companies based on a structured set of indicators, and measures them using the mystery shopper technique. The results show important differences between leading retailers and the rest of companies, evidence an important lag of the sector when compared to other retail markets and an overall lack of multichannel and omnichannel strategies, show a strong effort of retailers in online billing and self-service customer data management, and reveal shortcomings in the availability of communication channels with customers.

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (15) ◽  
pp. 4665
Author(s):  
Duarte Kazacos Winter ◽  
Rahul Khatri ◽  
Michael Schmidt

The increasing number of prosumers and the accompanying greater use of decentralised energy resources (DERs) bring new opportunities and challenges for the traditional electricity systems and the electricity markets. Microgrids, virtual power plants (VPPs), peer-to-peer (P2P) trading and federated power plants (FPPs) propose different schemes for prosumer coordination and have the potential of becoming the new paradigm of electricity market and power system operation. This paper proposes a P2P trading scheme for energy communities that negotiates power flows between participating prosumers with insufficient renewable power supply and prosumers with surplus supply in such a way that the community welfare is maximized while avoiding critical grid conditions. For this purpose, the proposed scheme is based on an Optimal Power Flow (OPF) problem with a Multi-Bilateral Economic Dispatch (MBED) formulation as an objective function. The solution is realized in a fully decentralized manner on the basis of the Relaxed Consensus + Innovations (RCI) algorithm. Network security is ensured by a tariff-based system organized by a network agent that makes use of product differentiation capabilities of the RCI algorithm. It is found that the proposed mechanism accurately finds and prevents hazardous network operations, such as over-voltage in grid buses, while successfully providing economic value to prosumers’ renewable generation within the scope of a P2P, free market.


2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 557-573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georg Wolff ◽  
Stefan Feuerriegel

Purpose Since the liberalization of electricity markets in the European Union, prices are subject to market dynamics. Hence, understanding the short-term drivers of electricity prices is of major interest to electricity companies and policymakers. Accordingly, this paper aims to study movements of prices in the combined German and Austrian electricity market. Design/methodology/approach This paper estimates an autoregressive model with exogenous variables (ARX) in a two-step procedure. In the first step, both time series, which inherently feature seasonality, are de-seasonalized, and in the second step, the influence of all model variables on the two dependent variables, i.e. the day-ahead and intraday European Power Energy Exchange prices, is measured. Findings The results reveal that the short-term market is largely driven by seasonality, consumer demand and short-term feed-ins from renewable energy sources. As a contribution to the existing body of literature, this paper specifically compares the price movements in day-ahead and intraday markets. In intraday markets, the influences of renewable energies are much stronger than in day-ahead markets, i.e. by 24.12 per cent for wind and 116.82 per cent for solar infeeds. Originality/value Knowledge on the price setting mechanism in the intraday market is particularly scarce. This paper contributes to existing research on this topic by deriving drivers in the intraday market and then contrasting them to the day-ahead market. A more thorough understanding is especially crucial for all stakeholders, who can use this knowledge to optimize their bidding strategies. Furthermore, the findings suggest policy implications for a more stable and efficient electricity market.


Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 65
Author(s):  
Heloísa P. Burin ◽  
Julio S. M. Siluk ◽  
Graciele Rediske ◽  
Carmen B. Rosa

Due to the constant evolution of the electricity markets around the world, new possibilities for contracting electricity are emerging. In Brazil, there are two models available to the consumer: the regulated contracting environment and the free contracting environment. Because of these possibilities for contracting electricity, it is important that consumers know how to migrate from the regulated to the free environment when it is an advantage. This study was conducted following the premises of three techniques: systematic literature review, gray literature review, and expert panel. The following question was asked: What are the determining factors to be considered by the consumer at the moment decision to migrate from the regulated electricity market to the free market? In total, 7 factors were identified and discussed in the literature review. The experts who participated in the study pointed out 3 influential scenarios in this decision making to migrate. The main contribution of this study is to provide the consumer with subsidies for decision making, given the determining factors to be taken into account when deciding on migration or not. In addition, the study contributed to the sector through a comprehensive discussion about the scenarios faced by consumers and how they can influence decision making.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 1114
Author(s):  
Pere Mir-Artigues ◽  
Pablo del Río

The reduction of equipment costs encourages the diffusion of photovoltaic micro-generation, however, proper regulatory measures should be implemented to facilitate self-production dissemination and to promote the emergence of new electricity markets which integrate prosumers. The specific form of these markets will depend on the level of prosumers’ self-sufficiency and the type of grid to which they will be connected. Unfortunately, Spain has been an example of resistance to micro-generation deployment. However, some things have started to change recently, albeit only to a certain extent. This article explains the key elements of the latest regulation of photovoltaic micro-generation in Spain and, through a stylized model, describes the economic behavior of prosumers in such a regulatory framework. It is concluded that this regulation only encourages prosumer plants which are strictly focused on self-sufficiency because it discourages exports and limits capacities and this regulation discourages the smart renewal of the distribution grid because it prevents prosumers from participating in the electricity market. It is recommended that the aforementioned regulatory limits be removed and pilot experiences for the market participation of prosumers be promoted by creating the appropriate technical and regulatory conditions, for example, at the municipal level.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (14) ◽  
pp. 4317
Author(s):  
Štefan Bojnec ◽  
Alan Križaj

This paper analyzes electricity markets in Slovenia during the specific period of market deregulation and price liberalization. The drivers of electricity prices and electricity consumption are investigated. The Slovenian electricity markets are analyzed in relation with the European Energy Exchange (EEX) market. Associations between electricity prices on the one hand, and primary energy prices, variation in air temperature, daily maximum electricity power, and cross-border grid prices on the other hand, are analyzed separately for industrial and household consumers. Monthly data are used in a regression analysis during the period of Slovenia’s electricity market deregulation and price liberalization. Empirical results show that electricity prices achieved in the EEX market were significantly associated with primary energy prices. In Slovenia, the prices for daily maximum electricity power were significantly associated with electricity prices achieved on the EEX market. The increases in electricity prices for households, however, cannot be explained with developments in electricity prices on the EEX market. As the period analyzed is the stage of market deregulation and price liberalization, this can have important policy implications for the countries that still have regulated and monopolized electricity markets. Opening the electricity markets is expected to increase competition and reduce pressures for electricity price increases. However, the experiences and lessons learned among the countries following market deregulation and price liberalization are mixed. For industry, electricity prices affect cost competitiveness, while for households, electricity prices, through expenses, affect their welfare. A competitive and efficient electricity market should balance between suppliers’ and consumers’ market interests. With greening the energy markets and the development of the CO2 emission trading market, it is also important to encourage use of renewable energy sources.


Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 6741
Author(s):  
Dzikri Firmansyah Hakam ◽  
Sudarso Kaderi Wiyono ◽  
Nanang Hariyanto

This research optimises the mix and structure of Generation Companies (GenCos) in the Sumatra power system, Indonesia. Market power, indicating the ability to raise prices profitably above the competitive level, tends to be a significant problem in the aftermath of electricity market restructuring. In the process of regulatory reform and the development of competitive electricity markets, it is desirable and practical to establish an efficient number of competitor GenCos. Simulations of a power system account for multi-plant mergers of GenCos subject to a regulatory measure of the Residual Supply Index and the influence of direct current load flow and the topology of the system. This study simulates the Sumatra power system in order to determine the following: optimal market structure, efficient GenCo generation mix, and the optimal number of competitive GenCos. Further, this study seeks to empirically optimise the electricity generation mix and electricity market structure of the Sumatra power system using DC load flow optimisation, market power index, and multi-plant monopoly analysis. The simulations include generation and transmission constraints to represent network constraints. This research is the first to analyse the Sumatra power system using imperfect (Cournot) competition modelling. Furthermore, this study is the first kind to optimise the mix and structure of the Sumatra generation power market. The guidelines and methodology in this research can be implemented in other countries characterised by a monopoly electricity utility company.


Electronics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (15) ◽  
pp. 1815
Author(s):  
Longze Wang ◽  
Yu Xie ◽  
Delong Zhang ◽  
Jinxin Liu ◽  
Siyu Jiang ◽  
...  

Blockchain-based peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading is one of the most viable solutions to incentivize prosumers in distributed electricity markets. However, P2P energy trading through an open-end blockchain network is not conducive to mutual credit and the privacy protection of stakeholders. Therefore, improving the credibility of P2P energy trading is an urgent problem for distributed electricity markets. In this paper, a novel double-layer energy blockchain network is proposed that stores private trading data separately from publicly available information. This blockchain network is based on optimized cross-chain interoperability technology and fully considers the special attributes of energy trading. Firstly, an optimized ring mapping encryption algorithm is designed to resist malicious nodes. Secondly, a consensus verification subgroup is built according to contract performance, consensus participation and trading enthusiasm. This subgroup verifies the consensus information through the credit-threshold digital signature. Thirdly, an energy trading model is embedded in the blockchain network, featuring dynamic bidding and credit incentives. Finally, the Erenhot distributed electricity market in China is utilized for example analysis, which demonstrates the proposed method could improve the credibility of P2P trading and realize effective supervision.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (13) ◽  
pp. 3747
Author(s):  
Ricardo Faia ◽  
Tiago Pinto ◽  
Zita Vale ◽  
Juan Manuel Corchado

The participation of household prosumers in wholesale electricity markets is very limited, considering the minimum participation limit imposed by most market participation rules. The generation capacity of households has been increasing since the installation of distributed generation from renewable sources in their facilities brings advantages for themselves and the system. Due to the growth of self-consumption, network operators have been putting aside the purchase of electricity from households, and there has been a reduction in the price of these transactions. This paper proposes an innovative model that uses the aggregation of households to reach the minimum limits of electricity volume needed to participate in the wholesale market. In this way, the Aggregator represents the community of households in market sales and purchases. An electricity transactions portfolio optimization model is proposed to enable the Aggregator reaching the decisions on which markets to participate to maximize the market negotiation outcomes, considering the day-ahead market, intra-day market, and retail market. A case study is presented, considering the Iberian wholesale electricity market and the Portuguese retail market. A community of 50 prosumers equipped with photovoltaic generators and individual storage systems is used to carry out the experiments. A cost reduction of 6–11% is achieved when the community of households buys and sells electricity in the wholesale market through the Aggregator.


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