User:Net Trajectory/sandbox

Local Energy Market A Local Energy Market (LEM) is an arrangement which allows energy (primarily electricity) to be traded between consumers and producers, at prices freely set between them, within the bound of a low voltage feeder.

Context
Presently, under many administrations, energy is usually bought and sold between householders and national or regional supply companies, but not directly between householders. This situation came about because when the present market regulation was established [Z], there was little demand for home-to-home trading of electricity, and because the information and communications technology necessary to enable home-to-home trading was not available. Regional or national electricity markets are not predicated on the precise location of supply and consumption. But as installation of local distributed generation plant (for example, rooftop photovoltaic panels) increases, and as high-drain domestic equipment such as electric cars and heat pumps become more common , the location of supply and consumption may become critically important: specifically, their location with respect to the transformers that connect the low voltage feeders to the distribution networks. The transformers are current-limiting and in many cases run close to their rated capacity.

Rationale
The LEMMA study group has proposed that: A mechanism to match supply to demand within a low voltage feeder will decrease the current flowing through these transformers and the associated power cables, extend their service life and avoid costly reinforcement to them. A LEM may provide such a mechanism, may also enable increased installation of local distributed generation plant, and may deliver economic benefits for both consumers and small producers of electricity. These benefits are expected to come from the avoidance of transmission and distribution network charges, from a reduction in transmission line losses  and from the effect of LEM interactions on market prices. The success of ebay and other market enablers has demonstrated the practicality of home-to-home trading.

Current status
LEMs are a theoretical construct. Although several broadly comparable market mechanisms have been tried  none of the trials to date has included the key concept of a market where prices are freely set between households, in real time. The LEMMA study group has received support from the UK Technology Strategy Board to analyse the regulatory adjustments, ICT infrastructure and market mechanisms necessary to make LEMs a reality.

Local Energy Markets
http://www.localelectricitymarkets.com/ http://www.nettrajectory.co.uk/	various relevant pages...

Announcements about funding
http://www.ipl.com/news/20120619-Benefits_of_local_energy_markets_to_be_quantified.php http://bdaily.co.uk/environment/26-06-2012/south-west-firms-collaborate-on-local-energy-markets/ http://www.innovateuk.org/_assets/smartpowerddresults_list.pdf http://www.innovateuk.org/content/press-release/innovative-small-businesses-to-drive-power-sector-.ashx http://www.innovateuk.org/_assets/smart_power_results_release.pdf

Others
http://www.ebay.co.uk/