Hi everyone,
with dynamic electricity prices from the EPEX day-ahead, ESS already has a strong foundation for smart load shifting and cost optimization. However, a new factor is coming into play: dynamic grid fees.
These fees vary depending on grid load and time of day. That means the “true” cost per kWh is not just the spot market price, but rather spot price + grid fee. Optimizing only by exchange prices might soon miss part of the picture.
This is not only relevant in Germany. Other countries are also introducing or already applying variable grid tariffs – for example Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, parts of the UK,
For example:
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it would much more often pay off to charge the battery during cheap/low-fee hours and discharge it during peak hours.
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The actual cost difference for running large loads (heat pumps, EV charging, storage cycles) could be far greater once both elements are included.
That’s why I think it could be very interesting if Victrons DESS did not only integrate dynamic exchange prices, but also considered dynamic grid fees in its optimization logic. This would allow for more precise cost savings and closer alignment with how future tariffs are structured.
My question: Do you think Victron could implement such a calculation within DESS in 3.70?
Some users already mentioned that claim here:
https://community.victronenergy.com/t/dynamic-tarifs-in-dess/10490/19
https://community.victronenergy.com/t/variable-grid-charges-in-germany-from-2025/9042/26
https://community.victronenergy.com/t/dess-and-german-14a-enwg-modul-3-dynamic-grid-fees/12747/36