Collaboration mechanisms for business models in distributed energy ecosystems

To succeed business around renewables and sustainability often need new types of business models. Business models are typically considered from the viewpoint of a focal firm, whereas renewables and sustainability often require a broader, system perspective. We explore how firms together in the energy business ecosystems develop their business models to facilitate change in the logic of the industry. Earlier studies on ecosystems have looked at the role of technical interdependencies in ecosystems, whereas we use a business model lens to study collaboration between companies. We use three cases from the distributed energy ecosystems to illustrate how different kinds of mechanisms trigger closer collaboration, sustainability and increased overall value creation. Our findings pinpoint the importance of identifying the factors driving the business models of the collaborating firms to facilitate system transitions and change in the logic of an industry.