Powerledger, in collaboration with an Indian DISCOM, has demonstrated through this trial involving over 1,000 participants the viability of P2P energy trading on a large scale. The DISCOM wanted to explore alternative rooftop solar (RTS) remuneration schemes, other than existing net metering (NM) or feed-in-tariff (FIT) schemes to accelerate the adoption of RTS contributing to meeting Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPOs). This has become one of India’s most pressing energy challenges, as the uptake of RTS has not been in line with national targets. P2P trading provides a market-based approach to stipulate RTS growth and proves advantageous compared to traditional schemes in various ways.
The trial project provided an example to explore the financial and environmental benefits of P2P trading by utilising different P2P approaches such as fixed-price trading, dynamic trading or preferential trading over six months. Incorporating a range of different participants, such as domestic, municipalities, C&I and social institutions each with unique tariffs and load requirements, demonstrates that P2P trading can deliver benefits for all participant groups. This can unlock the required support from relevant regulators to commercially roll out this solution in the region.
Parameter |
As designed |
As built |
No. of participants |
>1,000 |
>1,000 |
Generation (kWp) |
~8,000 kWp |
~8,000 kWp |
Storage (kWh) |
0 |
0 |
Unit price ($/kWh) |
|
On average ~15 % below retail price (~ 1 INR/kWh reduction) |
Project cost ($) |
|
|
The pilot project aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of market-based mechanisms as alternatives to conventional Net Metering and FiT schemes. These mechanisms were intended to create value for both users and the DISCOM, addressing concerns that existing schemes favoured prosumers, at the expense of DISCOM and taxpayers, or hindered rooftop solar growth. Additionally, the project aimed to empower customers by enabling them to trade and share energy, fostering ownership and control over energy usage while improving returns for prosumers.
Moreover, the project aimed to accelerate the adoption of solar energy by showcasing the viability of alternative mechanisms. This increased adoption contributes to achieving RPOs for DISCOMs by replacing thermal-based grid energy with solar.
The project also aimed to evaluate the impact of different pricing structures on participant benefits through various test scenarios with different trading rules. It sought to identify the most effective pricing strategies to maximize benefits for all stakeholders. It also aimed at developing a viable business model for the DISCOM, and to test the scalability of Powerledger’s Platform.
The outcomes of the project were documented in a project report, to be presented to regulatory authorities by the DISCOM. This report would inform future decision-making regarding energy trading and distribution, ensuring that the lessons learned could be applied to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of energy markets while balancing the needs of all stakeholders.
Key recommendations from the pilot project experience were as follows:
Extend the P2P platform to more consumers and prosumers and specifically increase solar availability to unlock more trading potential. Set the P2P trading rate for participants so that the platform is ‘set and forget’, but results in an equitable benefit between the DISCOM rate to buy electricity, and the Net Metering rate to sell electricity to the DISCOM.
Incorporate a standardised Network Access Charge to the DISCOM to account for costs associated with administration of the program e.g., wheeling charges, transaction fees etc.
To advance to a commercial rollout, the regulation should be in a more advanced stage to facilitate this. Without this in place, the progression to a commercial project may take several years after the pilot.
Introduce regulations that formally allow the solar energy traded on the P2P platform to be accounted for meeting the RPO targets of the DISCOM.
Invest in appropriate metering hardware as consistent readings data is needed for live energy trading.
Finally, it is important to note that this pilot project has been the largest P2P pilot project in India and globally. The learnings and findings from this pilot contribute significantly to the global energy landscape, as the scale of the pilot is unprecedented.
The project was concluded in early 2023.
The pilot successfully tested five different P2P test scenarios comprising different trading rules validating P2P trading as an effective middle ground between Net Metering and Gross Metering.
The pilot project saw the average participant saving roughly 40 INR/month without any DER investment. Prosumers had the opportunity to optimise their solar production for trading, setting the prices at which they are willing to sell their surplus energy to achieve a higher return on investment. The average prosumer savings amounted to around 900 INR/month in comparison to GM.
The DISCOM received visibility to supply and demand for the local distribution area, using price signals to balance without physical intervention, giving the potential to defer network augmentation. Additionally, P2P reduced the financial impact of net metering as an alternative incentive. Altogether the DISCOM experienced no financially adverse impact on its energy trading portfolio but unlocked a variety of side benefits as highlighted.
Regulatory change is anticipated in the state. Today, many jurisdictions (Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, European Union, United States, Australia) are moving forward with regulatory changes that allow the use of P2P energy trading as a necessary mechanism to manage the increase in DER, without increasing the costs of, and risks to, the stability and resilience of the distribution network.