Multi-level functional analysis of developing prosumers and energy communities with value creation framework

The evolution of decentralised energy systems, the rise of prosumers and the formation of energy communities (ECs) demand innovative approaches to assess and optimise value creation within these ecosystems. A significant gap exists regarding a unified approach and methods to identify, model, quantify and compare the multifaceted values in the social, economic, technical, and environmental context that ECs contribute to the broader energy system. This research bridges the gap in understanding the associations and value creation within ECs by developing a framework and methodology to understand and analyse the value creation within ECs and focusing on evolving end-user or prosumer involvement and interactions among diverse stakeholders. The research proposes a strategy to evaluate the various values produced by EC based on the action-oriented perspective of developing actors. By focusing on the evolving actions of end-users through different levels of use cases developed in this research, the stakeholders' motivations can be aligned with their activities. By doing so, the value formed within ECs can be explained, and a structured approach to quantifying these values can be established. This action-oriented approach and developed framework provide insights into holistic value creation and serve as a tool for identifying, quantifying, and comparing the values associated with ECs, which incorporate a range of key performance indicators (KPIs) to be developed to facilitate this analysis. The significance of the research extends beyond the theoretical realm, serving as a blueprint or guide for stakeholders to enhance value-creation strategies, guide policy development, and foster sustainable growth in ECs. By applying the developed framework and methodology, stakeholders can model and gain a holistic and deeper understanding of the multidisciplinary dimensions of the energy transition, identify synergies, and identify conflicts to boost collective benefits. Through this approach, a deeper understanding of the energy transitions through ECs in a multidisciplinary context can be gained, and a roadmap can be created.