Dynamic Energy Tariffs and Your Home Battery: How to Maximise Your Savings

What are dynamic energy tariffs?

With a traditional energy contract, you pay a fixed price per kWh, for example EUR 0.25. With a dynamic contract, the price varies per hour (or per quarter hour) based on the actual market price on the EPEX spot market.

How do prices fluctuate?

Electricity prices on the EPEX spot market vary significantly:

On sunny days in spring and summer, electricity prices can even go negative during the day — you actually get paid to consume electricity. On cold winter evenings, prices can rise to EUR 0.50 or more.

How does a home battery work with dynamic tariffs?

The strategy is simple: buy low, use high.

Without solar panels

• The battery automatically charges during the cheapest hours (often at night or during the day)
• You use the stored electricity during the expensive evening peak
• The price difference is your saving

With solar panels

• During the day, your solar panels charge the battery for free
• With solar surplus and high prices: you feed back to the grid for a good rate
• With low prices: you store everything in the battery
• In the evening, you consume your own stored solar power

With smart control

Modern home batteries like the Zendure SolarFlow and Anker SOLIX connect to the EPEX spot market via their app. The system automatically plans when to charge and discharge, based on the expected prices for the next 24 hours.

Calculation example: savings with dynamic tariffs

Scenario: 10 kWh battery, average household

Assumptions: 10 kWh usable battery capacity, one full cycle daily (realistic in combination with solar panels), average price difference between cheapest and most expensive hour: EUR 0.15/kWh.

In practice, this varies. In winter, price differences are larger (more savings), in summer they are smaller. A realistic estimate for an actively managed 10 kWh system is EUR 300-600 per year.

Extra savings from negative prices

On days with negative electricity prices (in 2025, there were more than 100 hours with negative prices in the Netherlands) you literally earn money by charging your battery. You get paid to consume electricity and then use that power in the evening.

Which energy suppliers offer dynamic contracts?

The main Dutch suppliers with dynamic contracts in 2026:

Tip: Don't just look at the kWh price but also at the fixed supply costs, grid fees and the markup your supplier charges on top of the EPEX price.

Which home battery is best for dynamic tariffs?

Not every battery is equally suitable. The key requirements:

Must-have features

• EPEX spot price integration — The battery must know the current and expected electricity prices
• Automatic charging schedule — The system plans when to charge and discharge on its own
• P1 port connection — Connection to your smart meter for real-time consumption data

Best options by brand

Tips for maximum savings

Five practical tips to get the most out of your dynamic contract and home battery:

1. Set your charging schedule based on price forecasts

The EPEX spot prices for the following day are published every day at 13:00. Smart batteries use this data automatically. Check whether your system supports this.

2. Prioritise solar surplus

Free solar power is always more advantageous than cheap grid power. Set your battery to prioritise solar generation over charging from the grid.

3. Avoid peak tariff consumption

The highest tariffs typically fall between 17:00 and 21:00. Make sure your battery is sufficiently charged at those times to cover your consumption.

4. Monitor and optimise

Use your battery's app and your energy supplier's app to monitor your savings. After a month, you'll see patterns and can refine your strategy.

5. Combine with smart consumption

Schedule your washing machine, dishwasher and other high-consumption appliances during cheap hours. In combination with a home battery, you reduce your energy costs to the maximum.

The risks honestly addressed

Dynamic tariffs are not without risk:

• Price spikes: During extreme cold or grid problems, prices can briefly surge to EUR 1.00+ per kWh. Without a battery, you pay these peaks in full.
• Complexity: It requires more attention than a fixed contract. Smart control helps, but you do need to set it up.
• Not for everyone: If you use little electricity or don't have solar panels, the savings are limited.

Our honest advice: A dynamic contract combined with a home battery is financially more attractive for most households with solar panels than a fixed contract. But it requires a home battery with good smart control. Without a battery, you're vulnerable to price spikes.

Frequently asked questions

How much can I save with a dynamic contract and a home battery?

Savings vary from EUR 200 to EUR 600 per year, depending on your battery capacity, consumption pattern and how actively you optimise. Households with solar panels and a 10 kWh battery save on average EUR 350-500 per year compared to a fixed contract.

Do I need solar panels for a dynamic contract?

No, a dynamic contract also works without solar panels. With just a home battery, you benefit from the price difference between cheap and expensive hours. But the combination with solar panels is the most profitable, as you also store free solar power.

Can I lose money with dynamic tariffs?

In theory yes, if you systematically consume electricity at the most expensive times. In practice, a home battery with smart control ensures you do the exact opposite. The risk is minimal when you use a battery with automatic optimisation.

How quickly can I switch to a dynamic contract?

Switching can usually be done within 2-4 weeks. Your current supplier has a cancellation period of a maximum of 30 days (with a variable contract) or until the end of the contract period (with a fixed contract). There are no costs associated with switching.

What is the difference between the imbalance market and the EPEX spot market?

The EPEX spot market is the day-ahead market on which most dynamic contracts are based. The imbalance market is the real-time market where the grid is balanced. Some advanced systems can also trade on the imbalance market, but this is more complex and not accessible to most consumers.