Home batteries are becoming more relevant in the Netherlands as electricity pricing shifts toward Time-of-Use (TOU) systems.

TOU means electricity does not cost the same all day. Instead, the price changes depending on when you use it. There are cheaper periods and more expensive periods, based mainly on demand.

When many people are using electricity at the same time, prices go up. When demand is low, prices go down.

What Time-of-Use (TOU) means

Time-of-Use pricing splits the day into different price levels.

Off-peak hours are when electricity is cheaper. Peak hours are when electricity is more expensive.

The exact timing depends on your energy provider, but in general, nighttime and early morning are cheaper, while late afternoon and evening are more expensive.

This means your electricity bill is no longer just about how much you use, but also when you use it.

Why TOU exists

Electricity demand changes throughout the day.

In the evening, most households are active at the same time — cooking, heating, using appliances, and charging devices. This creates high demand and puts pressure on the grid.

TOU pricing helps balance this by encouraging people to shift usage to times when demand is lower.

How TOU affects your electricity bill

With a traditional flat rate, electricity costs stay the same no matter when you use it.

With TOU, timing becomes important.

Using electricity during peak hours means higher costs. Using it during off-peak hours reduces your costs.

This creates opportunities to lower your bill simply by changing when you use energy.

Why this matters for households

TOU changes how people think about energy use.

It’s no longer just about how much electricity you use, but when you use it.

This is especially important as more households move toward solar energy and home batteries, where energy can be stored and used at different times of the day.

Even without solar or a battery, shifting usage to cheaper hours can already make a difference.

Conclusion

Time-of-Use (TOU) is a pricing system where electricity costs depend on the time of day.

Electricity is cheaper during low-demand periods and more expensive during peak hours.

Understanding how TOU works helps households make smarter energy decisions and reduce unnecessary costs over time.