The Prosumer: A Systematic Review of the New Paradigm in Energy and Sustainable Development

Javier Parra-Domínguez (), Esteban Sánchez and Ángel Ordóñez
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Javier Parra-Domínguez: Department of Business Studies, School of Economics and Business, University of Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, P.° Francisco Tomás y Valiente, s/n, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
Esteban Sánchez: Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Industrial, University of Salamanca, Avda. Fernando Ballesteros, 2, 37700 Béjar, Spain
Ángel Ordóñez: Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Industrial, University of Salamanca, Avda. Fernando Ballesteros, 2, 37700 Béjar, Spain

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 13, 1-44

Abstract: The deployment of distributed and affordable renewable energy has led to the development of the prosumer concept in the field of energy. To better understand its relevance and to analyse the main trends and research developments, a systematic literature review was performed. This work gathered 1673 articles related to this topic that were analysed following the PRISMA methodology with the help of VOSviewer 1.6.18 bibliometric software. These papers are classified into four clusters: smart grids, microgrids, peer to peer networks, and prosumers. The first two clusters show a certain degree of maturity, while the latter maintain a growing interest. The analysis of the articles provides a broad view of the prosumer’s role in energy and its potential, which is not limited to simple energy exchanges. Furthermore, this systematic review highlights the challenges, not only technical but also in terms of electricity market design and social aspects. The latter require further research, as society is undergoing a paradigm shift in the way in which energy is produced and used. How this shift occurred will determine whether it can lead to true prosumer empowerment and a fairer energy transition.

Keywords: prosumer; smart grids; microgrids; peer to peer; systematic review; energy transition (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:13:p:10552-:d:1186868

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