Why Adrian changed his mind about batteries
When Adrian started his electrification journey, a battery was not at the top of his priority list.
His original plan was to first install solar panels, understand how much electricity they would generate, and see how much of his consumption he could shift using dynamic electricity tariffs. Only then would he decide whether investing in a battery made sense.
However, the economics of batteries have changed significantly over the past few years.
Battery prices have fallen dramatically, making them more accessible to households. At the same time, electricity markets have become increasingly volatile. As renewable electricity generation grows, electricity prices can vary substantially throughout the day. Some hours are very cheap, while others remain relatively expensive because gas-fired power plants are still needed to meet demand and set the market price.
This means batteries are no longer just a tool for storing solar electricity. They can also be used to shift consumption from expensive hours to cheaper hours.
In other words, batteries allow households to buy electricity when it is cheap and use it later when electricity becomes more expensive.
How much does a home battery cost?
The answer depends on the type of battery.
Adrian opted for a portable battery system. His battery cost approximately €1,300, with an additional €100 for delivery.
Portable batteries have become increasingly popular because they require no electrical work, no permits and no installation costs. They can simply be plugged into a standard socket and used immediately.
Traditional fixed batteries are more expensive but also more powerful. A permanently installed battery costs approximately €3,900, including installation by a qualified electrician.
While the upfront investment is higher, fixed batteries can provide backup power to a larger portion of the home and can be integrated directly into the household electrical system.
So, can a portable battery can do the same job as a fixed battery?
Not quite. Portable batteries generally have a maximum output of around 800 watts. This means they cannot power an entire house at once. However, they are perfectly capable of supplying many everyday appliances, such as lighting, computers and home office equipment, televisions, internet routers, small kitchen appliance, etc.
A fixed battery, by contrast, can be designed to support much larger loads and, depending on the installation, can power most or all of a household’s electricity consumption.
For many households, however, a portable battery can be an attractive entry point into home energy storage because it is significantly cheaper and much easier to deploy.
One of the biggest advantages of portable batteries is their simplicity. Unlike traditional home batteries, there is no need for an electrician to install additional wiring or equipment. You simply plug the battery into a power outlet and connect it to an application on your smartphone. The battery can then communicate with your smart meter and automatically determine when electricity prices are low. It charges when electricity is cheap and discharges when prices increase, helping to reduce your electricity bill without requiring constant intervention.
Do you need solar panels?
Many people assume batteries only make sense if they are connected to solar panels. While solar panels and batteries often complement each other very well, batteries can also deliver value on their own. The reason lies in the growing use of dynamic electricity tariffs.
Under a dynamic tariff, electricity prices change throughout the day according to wholesale market conditions. Prices may be very low when renewable generation is abundant and significantly higher during periods of strong demand. A battery allows households to take advantage of these price fluctuations.
Instead of consuming electricity directly from the grid during expensive hours, the battery can charge when prices are low and discharge when prices are high.
Another interesting aspect of portable batteries is that they are not limited to homeowners with rooftops. Unlike solar panels or fixed battery systems, portable batteries can also be used in apartments or rented accommodation.
Perhaps the most unusual advantage of a portable battery is exactly what its name suggests: portability. Unlike solar panels, insulation or heat pumps, a portable battery is not permanently attached to the building.
If Adrian moves house in a few years, he can simply take the battery with him.
Have a question? Drop it in the comments on LinkedIn or YouTube, or get in touch with the Electrification Alliance directly. As Adrian puts it: we’ve got you covered.