HoSEM project

The summary of the HoSEM project in the previous post might prompt questions from CE workers. Some are suggested below, with answers from the Grant Application Form (GAF), and further comments.

(GAF:   http://gow.epsrc.ac.uk/NGBOViewGrant.aspx?GrantRef=EP/P031838/1 )

Who are the interested parties?
Apart from the university researchers, the GAF names EDF Energy as a partner.
Comment: this British energy company is owned by the French EDF (Électricité de France), which is itself state-owned and has world-wide interests. This raises the issue of how closely the HoSEM research is focussed on the UK.
See  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/electricite_de_France

How might a P2P system democratise the energy market?
The GAF implies democratisation in part from the use of distributed ledger technology (said to provide all market participants with read and write access to the records for the production, sale, and purchase of energy). 
Comment: would such a system be allowed at present in the UK?

What is wrong with the present market in the UK, from the view point of CE?
The GAF points out that at present, in the UK, small-scale, renewables-based energy generators must sell the excess of their production back to the grid at a set price (and by implication this is not an attractive price).

Why is a novel technical platform needed?
The GAF refers to 'sharing' platforms already in place in other markets, e.g., via Airbnb in the hotel industry, or Uber in taxi hire, but points to substantial intermediation charges.
Comments: 1) Presumably the new technology will reduce the intermediation charges. 
Would this be enough to enable new CE projects? 2) The term blockchain is not used in the GAF, perhaps to avoid unfortunate associations, or perhaps because a new kind of distributed ledger technology is envisaged.

What exactly would encourage households and organisations to participate in this market?
The GAF implies that reduced cost of selling excess energy would significantly benefit both producers and consumers, and freedom to control the energy destination would attract generators.
Comment: use of surplus energy in the local area should reduce transmission costs, if charging tariffs allow.

What are the possible configurations of P2P trades and algorithms for trade optimisation?
The GAF states the problem in terms of scale of operation, but does not develop this issue.

What would be the social and economic implications of such a market?
In the GAF examples of sectors affected are current market participants, the energy supply chain, and everyday individual and community life.
Comment: these and other issues invite further more detailed discussion in subsequent posts.

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