Peer-to-Peer energy trading in a Microgrid

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) energy trading represents direct energy trading between peers, where energy from small-scale Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) in dwellings, offices, factories, etc, is traded among local energy prosumers and consumers. A hierarchical system architecture model was proposed to identify and categorize the key elements and technologies involved in P2P energy trading. A P2P energy trading platform was designed and P2P energy trading was simulated using game theory. Test results in a LV grid-connected Microgrid show that P2P energy trading is able to improve the local balance of energy generation and consumption. Moreover, the increased diversity of generation and load profiles of peers is able to further facilitate the balance.