Hi everyone, I wanted to share my success story with setting up an energy price arbitrage automation in Home Assistant. I live in Germany where energy prices can vary significantly throughout the day, sometimes by as much as 30 cents per kWh. This inspired me to create a system that optimizes when my house battery charges and discharges to maximize savings.
The Setup
I integrated my system with Tibber, which provides real-time energy price data. Using Home Assistant’s template sensors, I created custom sensors to calculate price deltas and determine optimal charging and discharging thresholds. Here’s a simplified version of the automation logic:
- Charging Phase: The battery charges during low-price hours, specifically when the current price is in the lower 5% of the day’s spread.
- Discharging Phase: The battery discharges during peak hours, targeting when the price is above 50% of the day’s spread.
- Delta Threshold: A minimum price difference (set to 0.08€) ensures that the arbitrage is profitable after accounting for losses.
Implementation
I used EVCC (Electric Vehicle Charging Control) to manage the battery’s charge and discharge cycles. By setting up a dummy loadpoint in EVCC, I can control when the battery should charge or discharge based on the Tibber price data. This setup ensures that the battery only operates during the most economical times.
Results
During winter months with lower solar generation, this system has saved me around 2-3€ per day. While the daily savings might seem modest, they add up over time. Plus, it’s incredibly satisfying to optimize my energy usage and reduce my carbon footprint!
Tips for Others
- Start Small: Begin with a simple automation and gradually add complexity as you become more comfortable.
- Monitor Closely: Keep an eye on your system’s performance and tweak the thresholds as needed.
- Leverage Community Resources: The Home Assistant and Tibber communities have a wealth of resources and forums where you can find support and inspiration.
I hope this story inspires others to explore energy arbitrage and optimize their energy usage. Happy automating! 