Episode 34

Time-of-use pricing in Europe: Rolling out tariffs and flexibility

Episode 34
·
26 mins
·
September 16, 2025

Time-of-use pricing in Europe: Rolling out tariffs and flexibility

gridX unpacks time of use pricing and tariffs in Europe with Sebastian Würth, covering Nordic leadership, Germany’s EEG §9, EMS/HEMS optimization, negative electricity prices and how these trends unlock demand side flexibility for batteries, EV charging, and prosumers.
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‍What you’ll learn in this episode

What time-of-use pricing really means

Time of use pricing changes electricity costs based on when you use energy. Learn how dynamic tariffs differ from flat rates, why they’re common in Nordic countries but unusual in Germany, and how this shift impacts both utilities and consumers.

European leaders and laggards

Discover why Sweden, Denmark and Finland are ahead in rolling out time of use tariffs while Germany struggles due to metering infrastructure. Sebastian explains how cultural habits, regulation and awareness shape the pace of adoption across European markets.

Challenges of integrating EMS and tariffs

Energy management systems (EMS) must adapt to complex, country-specific tariff designs. Sebastian highlights the technical challenges, such as forecasting, transparency and user trust, that providers face when optimizing batteries, EV charging and solar under time of use tariffs.

Unlocking demand-side flexibility

Time-of-use optimization is more than just saving money. It’s a gateway to demand-side flexibility, helping balance renewable energy supply with consumption. Learn how regulations like Germany’s EEG §9 and negative electricity prices push smarter energy use.

Sebastian's key takeaways on time-of-use pricing

“Time-of-use pricing means your electricity doesn’t always cost the same. Sometimes it’s cheaper at 1 PM than at 9 PM.”

“The Nordics have been living with time-of-use tariffs for years, while in Germany many people have never heard of it.”

“Optimization isn’t just about saving money – it’s about enabling demand side flexibility and supporting the energy transition.”

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