Geographically remote prosumers model and new opportunities for all energy market players

Abstract

Sustainable generation of energy from renewable sources and the development of citizens energy communities is a priority of many countries. The Lithuanian state-controlled energy holding company Ignitis Group with subsidiaries distribution system operator (DSO) AB Energijos skirstymo operatorius and energy supplier AB Ignitis initiated legal, regulatory and IT infrastructure changes that allows a prosumer to produce electricity from renewable sources in one location and use it in geographically different locations. In addition, electricity consumers (especially in apartment buildings) got a chance to easily purchase or rent part of large power plant. This study presents a novel model where DSO established national level virtual net metering system for each community solar programs' member and where energy supplier created a user-friendly commercial platform that enables crowdfunding clients for large-scale PV developers for solar PV purchase or rent. To conclude, community solar provides possibility to greatly increase number of prosumers in the country increasing national energy independence. With decreasing PV costs centralisation of rising numbers of prosumers gives opportunity for smarter and less complex flexibility solutions. Community solar programs reduces investment in to the grid upgrades as they are centralised generation sources.