# Peer-to-Peer Energy Trading for Housing Associations

> 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.

**Sector:** Tertiary sector · **Industry:** Housing associations · **Organisation:** Together Housing Association, UrbanChain · **Maturity level:** Pilot

Canonical URL: https://www.sapientblock.com/en/use-cases/together-housing-association-strom-direkt-mietern-handeln

## 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.

## Benefits

- Housing associations can position themselves as innovative and sustainable providers, thereby strengthening their market position.
- Residents can reduce their energy costs and simultaneously generate additional income by selling surplus energy.
- 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.
- Employees gain insights into cutting-edge technologies and can develop new skills in digitalisation and sustainability.

## Challenges

- Housing associations must invest in new IT infrastructure and train their employees accordingly, which initially causes high costs.
- 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.
- 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.

## Sources

- [Unique energy market just for renewables welcomes Together Housing Association](https://www.urbanchain.co.uk/news/unique-energy-market-just-for-renewables-welcomes-together-housing-association)
- [UrbanChain reveals office move](https://www.urbanchain.co.uk/news/urbanchain-reveals-office-move)