Layered Energy System: exploring a new energy market model

Our energy market model works top-down and centralistic: from production (via transmission and distribution) to consumption. But prosumers proof that this model is no longer fit-for-purpose. The model is not designed for end-users with solar panels feeding-in their surplus of energy back into the network (bottom-up). If we want to adapt more renewable sources, we need to answer some questions urgently.

Involving local energy communities

A very important question regarding a (new) sustainable energy ecosystem is: how can local energy communities contribute to our energy system? Distributed generation and flexibility are part of the cause as well as the solution to the challenges the energy system faces. Currently, demand-response by aggregators is not appealing for the owners of flexibility (the end-user). And it is not scalable in the long run.

At the same time, local communities of end-users are founded and experiment with energy sharing, flexibility and with distributed network technologies (like blockchain). This system-averse social trend is an important factor in the energy transition and fuelled the development of a sustainable model that allows more renewable energy sources included in the system: the Layered Energy System (LES).

The Layered Energy System as Proof of Concept

Together with Stedin, we took LES to the next steps and described the mechanics and roles of the stakeholders in a Layered Energy System more detailed. The concept of LES provides a feasible elaboration of the “Citizens Energy Community” as mentioned in the EU Clean energy package.

LES offers insights and possible solutions to stakeholders’ issues moving towards a sustainable energy ecosystem. Energy21 is proud to present the LES Whitepaper and continues to discuss the topic with all stakeholders in the energy ecosystem.

DOWNLOAD WHITEPAPER

About new concepts

New and innovative energy concepts are needed to respond and anticipate the energy transition. Our practice New Energy Concepts (Energy21) guides larger energy stakeholders to create, design or implement sustainable energy concepts. Our energy expertise, experience and data management solution offer the fundament to bring a concept to life. For more information about this project, please contact Michiel Dorresteijn (Project lead Market Analysis & Blockchain Technology) via +31 6 11716927.

Other relevant links

• Stedin – Toepassing Layered Energy System in de wijk Hoog Dalem (Dutch)
• ABB – De eerste lokale energiemarkt van Nederland draait (Dutch)
• Energy21 – Launch of the first local energy community Hoog Dalem
• iLeco – Blockchain technology applied in local energy communities
• Quantoz – Layered Energy System