"Mosquito flotilla" on the energy front: small energy networks based on digital platforms

Abstract

In the conditions of Russia's military aggression, the role and importance of measures aimed at ensuring the energy security of the state is growing. The introduction of digital technologies has a significant potential for improving management mechanisms, increasing the reliability and efficiency of both individual components and the country's energy system as a whole. A special place in this process is occupied by the deployment and integration of the sector of local networks of renewable energy generation into the country’s energy system, which are created on the basis of digital platforms. The purpose of the proposed work is to define the potential of digital platforms as a means to coordinate the interaction between private generators of renewable energy in local energy markets. The research tools include structural, functional, systemic and institutional analysis. It is shown that the development of microgrids of renewable energy generation based on digital platforms is able to stimulate radical restructuring of the production system and electricity distribution markets. The author reveals various peculiarities of digital platforms as an organizational form of interaction in local energy markets. It is shown that they provide a synergistic effect of uniting small producers of renewable energy into a microgrid and forming a two-sector model of the public energy system. The structure of microgrid digital platforms is presented. They unite the owners of personal rooftop solar photovoltaic systems, wind, bio-, and hydropower units, power generation surplus storage stations, consumers, and energy distribution companies on the basis of the core platform. The article reveals the mechanism of building energy systems based on the principles of "Industry 4.0". Attention is focused on the need to implement a comprehensive policy to support the platformization of the renewable energy sector. The tools for its provision are presented.