What is a dynamic energy contract, and why is it relevant to EV charging?

Most Belgian companies and families have a fixed energy contract. That means: a fixed price per kWh, regardless of when you consume electricity.

But there is an alternative: the dynamic energy contract. Here you follow the market price per hour. At times with lots of sun or wind, or when demand is low, you pay much less per kWh. At times of scarcity or peak demand, the price can quickly rise again.

How exactly does that work?

A dynamic contract tracks hourly prices on the power exchange (EPEX Spot). That price fluctuates every day, every hour. At 1 p.m. you can buy electricity at €0.04/kWh, while at 8 p.m. you might pay €0.13/kWh. Smart users can capitalize on this. For example, by scheduling electric vehicle charging at cheaper times.

Below are the BelPex prices of May 8, 2025.

Note that these amounts include only the energy cost; the “raw” electricity price. There are additional costs such as taxes, VAT or transmission and distribution costs.

Interlude: peak and off-peak rates

Some energy contracts today still use peak and off-peak tariffs. Under these, electricity is cheaper at night than during the day. That system is a holdover from the days of nuclear power plants, which were difficult to shut down at night. To balance consumption, prices were lowered during the night to fuel more demand.

Today, the energy landscape looks completely different. With the rise of solar and wind power, supply is much more volatile, and the cheapest times are often during the day – for example, during sunny and windy weather. In such “sailing weather” conditions, there is an abundance of renewable energy, and the price on the market drops. With a dynamic contract, you can respond to this perfectly.

What are the benefits?

1. Lower consumption rate: By shifting your consumption to off-peak hours, you can save substantially.

2. Smart charging pays off: Do you have charging points that can start automatically at cheap times? Then get the most out of such a contract.

3. Good for both the grid and the planet: Dynamic consumption follows the supply of (renewable) energy. So you charge more often with solar or wind power.

And the risks?

1. Price volatility: You are exposed to high market prices at busy times.

2. Active energy management needed: To really benefit, you need to (partially) automate or properly monitor your charging strategy via STROOHM

3. Less predictability: No set monthly cost, which can be impractical for some.

Who is this of interest to?

A dynamic energy contract is especially interesting for individuals and companies with:

1. Buffer devices: devices whose exact time of use is less important, and which can be flexibly switched on or off. Think of electric vehicle charging, heat pumps or boiler heating.

2. Smart energy control: systems that can automatically respond to hourly prices and control appliances accordingly.

3. Flexible mindset: willingness to partially plan or automate energy consumption to save costs and relieve the grid.

Load smart, save smart – and look ahead

With a dynamic energy contract, companies can already save today by charging at times with low market prices. But the real added value lies in the combination with smart control and, in time, bi-directional charging (V2G).

Stroohm offers concrete solutions for this: we link charging points to smart control that takes into account the current energy price. So your vehicles automatically charge when power is cheapest, without manual intervention.

And it’s not just charging: appliances such as washing machines, heat pumps, dishwashers, home batteries and even swimming pools can also respond to dynamic prices. By intelligently controlling consumption, you can not only save money but also contribute to a more stable grid.

The next step

The next step? Using electric cars as an energy source. The technology exists, but rollout lags. That’s why this call:

1. Policymakers and grid operators: work with the auto industry and charging station installers to accelerate bi-directional charging.

2. Automotive brands: activate the two-way functionality of existing EVs via software updates.

3. Businesses and citizens: choose smart solutions today, and be prepared for tomorrow’s energy system.

Now what?

Dynamic contracts are on the rise, especially as flexibility in consumption becomes increasingly important. Want to know if your charging infrastructure is ready to take advantage of variable power prices?

We are happy to discuss it together, tailored to your situation.