TY - CHAP

T1 - Utilities’ Business Models for Renewable Energy

T2 - World Renewable Energy Congress - WREC 2011

AU - Richter, Mario

PY - 2011/11/3

Y1 - 2011/11/3

N2 - This study on German utilities' business models for renewable energies provides new insights into the thinking of Germany's leading utilities about future business models. Two generic business models are derived from the literature and are subsequently analyzed based on a series of in-depth interviews. A core result is that utilities clearly favor large scale projects over small scale projects on the customer-side. This result can be explained with the return potential and renewable energy portfolio standards. Contradictory to the existing literature, German utilities do not see electricity generation on the customer-side as threat to their business model. Instead, they develop very different approaches for large scale projects. It can be concluded that utility engagement in customer-side business models will remain limited in Germany, whereas large scale projects are seen as a promising future business model. The analysis from a business model perspective also shows that both business models, for small scale as well as for large scale projects, still offer room for innovation. Hence, business model innovation can help utilities to create and capture more value in the energy transition.

AB - This study on German utilities' business models for renewable energies provides new insights into the thinking of Germany's leading utilities about future business models. Two generic business models are derived from the literature and are subsequently analyzed based on a series of in-depth interviews. A core result is that utilities clearly favor large scale projects over small scale projects on the customer-side. This result can be explained with the return potential and renewable energy portfolio standards. Contradictory to the existing literature, German utilities do not see electricity generation on the customer-side as threat to their business model. Instead, they develop very different approaches for large scale projects. It can be concluded that utility engagement in customer-side business models will remain limited in Germany, whereas large scale projects are seen as a promising future business model. The analysis from a business model perspective also shows that both business models, for small scale as well as for large scale projects, still offer room for innovation. Hence, business model innovation can help utilities to create and capture more value in the energy transition.

KW - Sustainability sciences, Management & Economics

KW - Renewable Energy

KW - Business Model

KW - Utility

KW - Energy Transition

KW - Entrepreneurship

KW - Renewable Energies

KW - Business Model

KW - Ultility

KW - Energy Transition

U2 - 10.3384/ecp110572385

DO - 10.3384/ecp110572385

M3 - Article in conference proceedings

SN - 978-91-7393-070-3

VL - 10

T3 - Linköping Electronic Conference Proceedings

SP - 2385

EP - 2392

BT - Conference Proceedings of the World Renewable Energy Congress 2011

A2 - Moshfegh, Bahram

PB - Linköping University Electronic Press

CY - Linköping

Y2 - 8 May 2011 through 13 May 2011

ER -