Decentralized Energy Markets and P2P Contracts: New Opportunities for Automating Energy Exchange

In the current context of energy market transformation – driven by the growing role of renewable energy, the decentralization of generation, and the digitalization of infrastructure – peer-to-peer (P2P) energy contract models are gaining significant importance. These models introduce a new form of energy interaction, fostering local energy communities, increasing market flexibility, and enhancing consumer energy independence. This study aims to analyze the technological, regulatory, and infrastructural factors influencing the implementation of P2P contracts both internationally and in Ukraine, with a focus on decentralized energy systems. The research methodology combines empirical and analytical approaches, including a quantitative comparative analysis of official statistics and an interdisciplinary review of literature. Findings indicate a notable divide between highly digitalized countries and those with transitional economies in terms of P2P adoption. Ukraine, in particular, lags in three critical areas: the proportion of households engaged in peer-to-peer (P2P) trade, the extent of decentralized generation, and the penetration of smart metering. By contrast, successful P2P integration in countries such as Australia, Germany, and the United States is supported by technical readiness, regulatory frameworks, and active community involvement. The value of the study also lies in its policy conclusions regarding the adaptation of international practices to Ukrainian realities of regulation and infrastructure, as well as in the innovative character of the cross-country comparative approach, modified to take into account the unique Ukrainian prescription that identifies specific avenues for enabling digital transformation in the energy sector.