Cooperative digital platforms in the renewable energy sector

Abstract

Purpose. The study identifies the effects of the small local networks of renewable energy generation on the economy. It defines the potential and necessary conditions to establish value creation networks, or distributed production systems, based on participant cooperation.
Design. The paper examines increasing opportunities to guarantee sustainable economic development. At the same time, the challenges of digital technologies also create serious threats to the community's social cohesion. The monopolization of digital platform marketplaces and the emergence of "platform capitalism" follow the growth of the platform business model. The proprietors of the core of digital platforms own disproportionate market dominance.
Findings. The emergence of "platform capitalism" and "platform cooperativism" models discussed in the contingent upon certain socio-cultural conditions. It has proven that cooperative digital platforms are particularly vital during the full-scale war of Russia against Ukraine and the post-war reconstruction period.
Originality. A proposed cooperative digital platform-based model develops a microgrid ecosystem to produce renewable energy. Digital platform cooperatives exemplified the benefits of geographic or specialty localization (specialization) with the activities’ globalization. Digital platforms allow united independent developers of scientific and technical innovations and technological knowledge, and owners of material funds and financial resources.