PROSEU - New Article

We are delighted to announce the online publication in the journal Energy Policy a new article from our PROSEU project entitled: Prosumers in the post subsidy era: an exploration of new prosumer businessmodels in the UK.

This paper by Brown, Hall and Davis explores the evolving renewable energy‘prosumer’phenomenon in the United Kingdom (UK). Itidentifies and evaluates how prosumer business models can exist beyond direct subsidy and the range of pro-sumer business model archetypes currently in operation.

Through a series of in-depth interviews and documentanalysis, the paper identifies the key opportunities and challenges for these innovative energy business models. The analysis shows that recent developments in technology such as the diffusion of smart meters, li-ion batteries,peer-to-peer trading platforms and electric vehicles are opening up a range of new value propositions, which inturn are beginning to be exploited by a range of new business models.

In many cases the regulatory,financingand institutional governance landscape of the UK lags behind, however, inhibiting these emerging businessmodels. Moreover, these business models rely on managing a complex set of values for consumers that reachdeeper into their lives than traditional tariffs. Thus, successful business models must manage this complexity ifthey are to be adopted by the disengaged majority.

Energy policy and energy practitioners can leverage theseemerging trends in service of a low carbon energy transition by adopting ‘ten principles’ of prosumerism; and six UK policy recommendations.

The paper will be published in print in December 2019, but can be accessed now by clicking here.