Conceptualizing the Implementation of Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Energy Trading in Malaysia Through Stakeholder Engagement

Peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading is a new platform-based approach to power system operation that enables consumers or prosumers to generate their own electricity for personal consumption using renewable energy (RE) technologies such as rooftop solar panels. Furthermore, prosumers with excess energy can either store it in an energy storage device or supply it to other consumers in need. In recent years, several countries around the world have trialled and implemented projects on P2P energy trading, with Malaysia being one of them. However, P2P energy trading is still in its early stages in Malaysia, with only a pilot trial conducted in 2019. Thus, as part of the preliminary data collection process, a focus group discussion (FGD) was held in order to fully understand the motivation behind the implementation of P2P energy trading in Malaysia. FGD is important for gaining perspectives and insights from experts in the field by leveraging the implicit and tacit knowledge of relevant regulators and industry experts, as well as providing a defined path in conducting this exploratory research. As a result, this study provides a conceptualized review of Malaysia's P2P energy trading pilot project implementation and the key benefits of P2P energy trading implementation to existing power systems.