Title: Design options for smart services in energy communities: a multi-criteria mapping analysis among stakeholders

Authors: Julio Viana; Rainer Alt; Olaf Reinhold

Addresses: Social CRM Research Centre, Grimmaische Str. 12, 04109 Leipzig, Germany ' Leipzig University – Information Systems Institute, Grimmaische Str. 12, 04109 Leipzig, Germany ' Social CRM Research Centre, Grimmaische Str. 12, 04109 Leipzig, Germany

Abstract: The deregulation of energy markets in many countries has stimulated the development of energy communities. Members of these communities generate and trade energy in the general market. In addition to pursuing financial goals, they aim to achieve positive environmental and social effects. Despite the recent surge in such communities, they often lack resources and depend on subsidies to compete with traditional energy providers. New technologies could support these communities with optimising their production and consumption, providing smart services and increasing their competitiveness. By applying the multi-criteria mapping (MCM) method to data collected in focus group discussions and interviews with experts, this study explored the potential of technologies and their prioritisation for the adoption of smart services by energy communities. The study proposes an overall ranking of design options for smart energy services based on four stakeholder perspectives and on opposing views and uncertainties. The results provide insights into the potential of each option for the design of innovative information systems (IS) for energy communities.

Keywords: smart energy communities; SECs; multi-criteria mapping; technology analysis; smart energy services; SESs; service ranking.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTM.2023.131718

International Journal of Services Technology and Management, 2023 Vol.28 No.3/4, pp.141 - 158

Received: 04 Feb 2022
Received in revised form: 02 Sep 2022
Accepted: 01 Dec 2022
Published online: 29 Jun 2023 *