02 Juillet – Thesis defense - Michaël Hamwi
10 h30 Amphi 21 - ESTIA (Bidart)
Understanding and analysing business models in the context of energy transition.
Proposition of the DRBMC (Demand Response Business Model Canvas) to design new entrepreneur's Business model in “Demand Response” markets.
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The accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, produced by human activities in the energy sector is one of the main causes of climate change. Therefore, the decarbonization of power systems has become an urgent need the mitigate to the effects of climate change and achieve the energy transition. The share of renewable energy technologies has been increasing mainly due to the participation of new market players. Today, however, one of the great challenges is to maintain the electricity system’s balance and security despite the large amount of renewable energy resources connected to the grid. One of the approaches to deal with this issue and to increase power system flexibility is the Demand Response (DR). Moreover, scholars argue that business model innovation can act as an energy transition driver. This thesis examines business model innovations in the context of the energy transition by investigating emerging start-up business models. The implemented research methodology in this thesis consists of a systematic literature review and an investigation of empirical data of 15 European energy start-ups. As a result, the thesis provides the research community with (1) a grouping method to classify different Energy Business Models (EBMs) and an initial synthesis of the EBMs identified in the literature; (2) a framework to analyse start-ups in the energy sector, completed with the analysis of 15 energy start-ups; (3) and a conceptual tool for DR innovation, named as the Demand Response Business Model Canvas (DRBMC), which includes 12 interrelated elements. This canvas aims at evaluating DR activities and supporting the emergence of new DR business models. These results can also help entrepreneurs explore new demand response market opportunities, enabling a better understanding and providing a simplified analytic framework of existing business practices.
