Published June 19, 2025
| Version 1
Journal article
Open
Blockchain-enabled business model innovation in sector-coupled energy communities
Description
This paper analyses business model innovation and digital platform alignment—including blockchain-enabled remuneration and automated settlement—in sector-coupled energy communities. Drawing on six diverse pilot deployments, we explore how modular digital platforms and blockchain technologies can support peer-to-peer trading, flexibility services, and integration across electricity, heating, and mobility sectors. The methodology combines systematic value proposition mapping with technical and market analysis to assess real-world user needs, operational challenges, and regulatory barriers. Findings show that blockchain and digitalisation can improve transparency and trust in community energy markets, but effective scaling requires regulatory adaptation, flexible business models, and sustained user engagement. The results provide actionable insights for both practitioners and policymakers aiming to advance digital innovation and business model alignment in the evolving landscape of energy communities.
Files
openreseurope-5-22322.pdf
Files
(1.3 MB)
| Name | Size | Download all |
|---|---|---|
|
md5:61d620482be473d2f87b7f95f6923d86
|
1.3 MB | Preview Download |
Additional details
References
- Andoni M, Robu V, Flynn D (2019). Blockchain technology in the energy sector: a systematic review of challenges and opportunities. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2018.10.014
- Ferreira JPM, Gonçalves MJA, da Silva AF (2019). A systematic literature review in blockchain: benefits and implications of the technology for business. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-16181-1_38
- Ali O, Ally M, Clutterbuck P (2020). The state of play of blockchain technology in the financial services sector: a systematic literature review. Int J Inf Manage. doi:10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2020.102199
- Ahl A, Yarime M, Tanaka K (2019). Review of blockchain-based distributed energy: implications for institutional development. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2019.03.002
- Khezami N, Gharbi N, Neji B (2022). Blockchain technology implementation in the energy sector: comprehensive literature review and mapping. Sustainability. doi:10.3390/su142315826
- Ben Khaled MW, Ouertani Abaoub N (2024). Energy sector evolution: perspectives on energy platforms and energy transition. Platforms. doi:10.3390/platforms2020005
- Sikorska M (2021). The development of energy blockchain and its implications for the energy sector. Rev Econ Financ Invest. doi:10.53752/refi.2020.1.11
- Wakasala B (2025). Blockchain technology, regulatory environment and competitive edge in renewable energy sector in Kenya: a systematic literature review. Int J Latest Technol Eng Manag Appl Sci. doi:10.51583/IJLTEMAS.2024.131229
- Ning L, Yuan Y (2023). How blockchain impacts the supply chain finance platform business model reconfiguration. Int J Logist Res Appl. doi:10.1080/13675567.2021.2017419
- ZareRavasan A, Krčál M, Ashrafi A (2021). Blockchain and digital transformation of insurance business models. International Journal of Blockchains and Cryptocurrencies. doi:10.1504/IJBC.2021.119883
- Capper T, Gorbatcheva A, Mustafa MA (2022). Peer-to-peer, community self-consumption, and transactive energy: a systematic literature review of local energy market models. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2022.112403
- Khanmohammadi S, Saadat-Targhi M (2019). Performance enhancement of an integrated system with solar flat plate collector for hydrogen production using waste heat recovery. Energy. doi:10.1016/j.energy.2019.01.096
- Reis IFG, Gonçalves I, Lopes MAR (2021). Business models for energy communities: a review of key issues and trends. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2021.111013
- Parashar S, Sood G, Agrawal N (2020). Modelling the enablers of food supply chain for reduction in carbon footprint. J Clean Prod. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122932
- Waterworth A, Bradshaw MJ (2018). Unconventional trade-offs? National oil companies, foreign investment and oil and gas development in Argentina and Brazil. Energy Policy. doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2018.07.011
- Jonsdottir AT, Johannsdottir L, Davidsdottir B (2024). Systematic literature review on system dynamic modeling of sustainable business model strategies. Clean Environ Syst. doi:10.1016/j.cesys.2024.100200
- Ghalandarzadeh S, Kurti A, Unell C (2025). Community-Based Business Models for agricultural and forestry data ecosystems: a systematic literature review. Smart Agric Technol. doi:10.1016/j.atech.2025.100958
- Shahrivar S, Elahi S, Hassanzadeh A (2018). A business model for Commercial Open Source Software: a systematic literature review. Inf Softw Technol. doi:10.1016/j.infsof.2018.06.018
- Muhsen H, Allahham A, Al-Halhouli A (2022). Business model of Peer-to-Peer energy trading: a review of literature. Sustainability. doi:10.3390/su14031616
- Maruf MNI, Mahmud S, Pasarín IS (2024). Demonstrating clean energy transition scenarios in sector-coupled and renewable-based energy communities [version 2; peer review: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations]. Open Res Eur. doi:10.12688/openreseurope.16693.2
- Vernay AL, Avelino F, Barnes J (2023). Community energy business models: policy objectives and diversity across Europe. Energy Policy.
- Barabino B, Lazzari S, Binetti G (2023). Energy communities: a review of trends and gaps for developing business models, optimization approaches, and future research directions. Sustainable Cities and Society.
- (2024). D3.1 Report on selected business models for development of community energy projects.
- Inês C, Guilherme PL, Esther MG (2020). Regulatory challenges and opportunities for collective renewable energy prosumers in the EU. Energy Policy. doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2019.111212
- Lowitzsch J, Hoicka CE, van Tulder FJ (2020). Renewable Energy Communities under the 2019 European clean energy package—governance model for the energy clusters of the future?. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2019.109489
- (2021). Smart sector integration, towards EU system of systems: building blocks, enablers, architectures, regulatory barriers, economic assessment (Position Paper).
- Ramsebner J, Haas R, Ajanovic A (2021). The sector coupling concept: a critical review. Wiley Interdiscip Rev Energy Environ. doi:10.1002/wene.396
- (2022). D1.4 Measurement and verification procedures for energy efficiency investments.
- Efkarpidis N, Goranović A, Yang CW (2022). A generic framework for the definition of key performance indicators for smart energy systems at different scales. Energies. doi:10.3390/en15041289
- Košnjek E, Sučić B, Loncnar M (2025). Energy cost centre-based modelling of sector coupling in local communities. Energies. doi:10.3390/en18112688
- Mohammadi N (2023). Investigation of community energy business models from an institutional perspective: intermediaries and policy instruments in selected cases of developing and developed countries. Sustainability. doi:10.3390/su15108423
- (2019). White paper: energy and flexibility services for citizens energy communities.
- (2020). Innovation landscape brief: community-ownership models. International Renewable Energy Agency.
- Lennard Z (2024). FEDECOM - D8.4 market-analysis-and-ER-Table v1.0. doi:10.5281/zenodo.13319128
- (2020). D2.7 Emerging business models, associated DR strategies and standard contracts templates – final version.
- Nogueira WC, Garcés Negrete LP, López-Lezama JM (2021). Interval load flow for uncertainty consideration in power systems analysis. Energies. doi:10.3390/en14030642
- Zhang Q, He M, Wang Y (2020). Analysis of air humidification process for humid air turbine cycle with a detailed air humidifier model. Applied Energy. doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.115833
- Brilliantova V, Thurner TW (2019). Blockchain and the future of energy. Technology in Society. doi:10.1016/j.techsoc.2018.11.001
- Aini Q, Manongga D, Sediyono E (2024). The adoption of blockchain technology the business using structural equation modelling. IJCCS (Indonesian Journal of Computing and Cybernetics Systems). doi:10.22146/ijccs.82107
- Taherdoost H, Madanchian M (2023). Blockchain-based new business models: a systematic review. Electronics. doi:10.3390/electronics12061479
- Moreira S, Mamede HS, Santos A (2024). Business process automation in SMEs: a systematic literature review. IEEE Access. doi:10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3406548
- Radhakrishnan R, Patra P, Das M (2021). Recent advancements in the ionic liquid mediated lignin valorization for the production of renewable materials and value-added chemicals. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2021.111368
- Yin C, Li F (2021). A novel evaluation method for the risk of simultaneous commutation failure in multi-infeed HVDC-systems that considers DC current rise. International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems. doi:10.1016/j.ijepes.2021.107051
- Mangani TR, Coetzee H, Kellner K (2020). Socio-economic benefits stemming from bush clearing and restoration projects conducted in the D'Nyala nature reserve and Shongoane Village, Lephalale, South Africa. Sustainability. doi:10.3390/su12125133
- Schwidtal JM, Piccini P, Troncia M (2023). Emerging business models in local energy markets: a systematic review of peer-to-peer, community self-consumption, and transactive energy models. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2023.113273
- Osterwalder A, Pigneur Y, Bernarda G (2014). Value proposition design: how to create products and services customers want.