Design of a combinatorial double auction for local energy markets

International audienceLocal energy markets allow neighbours to exchange energy among them. Their traditional implementation using sequential auctions has proven to be inefficient and even counterproductive in some cases. In this paper we propose a combinatorial double auction for the exchange of energy for several time-slots simultaneously. We suppose that participants have a flexible demand; flexibility being obtained, for example, by the usage of a battery. We show the benefits of the approach and we provide an example of how it can improve the utility of all the participants in the market

Combinatorial Markets for Efficient Energy Management

The deregulation of the electricity industry in many countries has created a number of marketplaces in which producers and consumers can operate in order to more effectively manage and meet their energy needs. To this end, this paper develops a new model for electricity retail where end-use customers choose their supplier from competing electricity retailers. The model is based on simultaneous reverse combinatorial auctions, designed as a second-price sealed-bid multi-item auction with supply function bidding. This model prevents strategic bidding and allows the auctioneer to maximise its payoff. Furthermore, we develop optimal singleitem and multi-item algorithms for winner determination in such auctions that are significantly less complex than those currently available in the literature. 1