Peer-to-Peer Energy Trading for Housing Associations
Sector: Tertiary sector · Industry: Housing associations · Organisation: Together Housing Association, UrbanChain · Maturity level: Pilot
Housing associations enable their residents to directly trade self-generated renewable energy through a blockchain-based platform. The cooperation between UrbanChain and Together Housing Association aims to reduce both the carbon footprint and energy costs of households. Residents can sell excess electricity from solar panels directly to other residents, bypassing traditional energy suppliers.
Documentation status
- Project status: Pilot
- Evidence: Evidence medium
- Editorial review: Ufuk Avci, 15 April 2026
Description
UrbanChain (UK) developed a blockchain-based peer-to-peer energy marketplace exclusively for renewable energy. Together Housing Association, a British housing cooperative with over 38,000 units, joined as a partner.
The residential quarter as an energy community: Housing associations with solar panels on their roofs generate more electricity than the upper floors consume. Instead of selling the surplus cheaply to the grid (UK Smart Export Guarantee pays a few pence per kWh), UrbanChain can redistribute this electricity directly to tenants on the ground floor. Blockchain makes this possible: every kWh is documented on the blockchain; smart contracts automatically handle billing; tenants pay only for the solar power actually consumed. Together Housing Association sees a double benefit: tenants save on energy costs; the cooperative achieves better revenues for its solar power than from grid sales. UrbanChain reported on the partnership and a new office as a growth signal in two articles. The model is scalable: any housing association with rooftop PV systems can build such a neighbourhood energy marketplace.
Perspectives
B2B — organisations perspective
Housing associations can sell solar power from rooftop PV systems directly to tenants — higher revenues than grid feed-in, tenants save on energy costs, blockchain billing fully automated.
B2C — consumers perspective
Residents benefit from reduced energy costs by purchasing cheaper local energy directly and can generate additional income by selling surplus solar power. At the same time, they actively contribute to sustainability and climate protection.
Employees perspective
Employees of housing associations need to become familiar with new digital technologies and support residents in using the platform. This requires training in blockchain technology and energy management but can also create new professional development opportunities.
Benefits
General
- Reduction of energy costs for all residents by bypassing traditional energy supplier margins.
- Promotion of renewable energy installations through better marketing opportunities for surplus energy.
- Increase in energy autonomy of residential communities and reduction of dependence on external energy suppliers.
B2B — organisations
- Housing associations can position themselves as innovative and sustainable providers, thereby strengthening their market position.
B2C — consumers
- Residents can reduce their energy costs and simultaneously generate additional income by selling surplus energy.
Employees
- Employees gain insights into cutting-edge technologies and can develop new skills in digitalisation and sustainability.
Challenges
General
- Integration with existing energy systems and smart meters requires significant technical expertise and can be complex.
- Acceptance and understanding of blockchain technology among residents must be promoted through comprehensive information and training measures.
B2B — organisations
- Housing associations must invest in new IT infrastructure and train their employees accordingly, which initially causes high costs.
Employees
- Employees must quickly acquire new technical knowledge and possibly overcome resistance to technological changes.
Technology foundation
Blockchain technology enables secure and transparent execution of energy trading transactions between residents without central mediation. Smart Contracts automate contract processing and billing, while all transactions are immutably recorded.
Implementation examples
Together Housing Association P2P Energy Trading
The Housing Association wanted to offer its residents an innovative solution to reduce energy costs while simultaneously achieving its sustainability goals. By promoting local energy trading, the aim was to reduce dependence on traditional energy suppliers and encourage the use of renewable energy in the housing estates.
Together Housing Association is collaborating with UrbanChain to implement a blockchain-based peer-to-peer energy trading platform for its residents.
Together Housing Association has partnered with the technology company UrbanChain to implement an innovative blockchain-based platform for peer-to-peer energy trading. This initiative aims to reduce the carbon footprint of households while lowering energy costs for residents. The platform allows residents with renewable energy sources such as solar panels to sell surplus energy directly to other residents within the same housing estate, rather than feeding it into the public grid at lower rates.
The solution addresses rising energy costs for residents and the need for sustainable energy solutions in social housing. At the same time, it resolves the often inadequate remuneration for surplus solar energy through improved direct marketing opportunities.
Tags
Peer-to-Peer, Energy Trading, Smart Contract, Sustainability, Decentralisation