A Peer-to-Peer Energy-Sharing System for Smart Electricity Utility Meters

Uganda’s power sector transition from a postpaid to a prepaid electricity metering system resulted in improved revenue for utilities and significantly lowered administration costs. Whereas this system is functionally operational, it lacks a mechanism for direct transfer of purchased electricity units between customers, leading to inefficiencies and limited consumer flexibility. This paper presents the development, implementation, and testing of an IoT-enabled peer-to-peer (P2P) energy-sharing model that allows for direct transfer of energy units. Developed using a mixed-methods approach, the prototype utilizes an ESP32 microcontroller, a secure token-based vending platform via a centralized server, and bidirectional data exchange between meters. Experimental evaluation demonstrated ±5% metering accuracy, reliable credit transfer, and automatic load reconnection. The approach addresses a key service gap by enabling surplus unit sharing without utility intervention, promoting collaborative consumption, and enhancing energy equity. Beyond technical performance, the system supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7, 8, 9, 10, and 12 by improving access, economic inclusivity, and resource efficiency. This work provides a scalable framework adaptable to other sub-Saharan African contexts and offers utilities an opportunity to enhance customer satisfaction while fostering innovation in decentralized energy distribution models. Keywords: Energy sharing; Pre-paid metering; Electricity billing; Peer-to-Peer; IoT-based electricity metering; Energy token transfer.