Smart companies don’t pay to return energy: they profit from it

Over the past years, many Belgian companies have invested in solar panels. It made perfect sense: lower energy bills, reduced CO₂ emissions, improved ESG performance. But what used to be a smart investment is now turning into an unexpected cost. On sunny days, we’re seeing negative electricity prices more frequently and if you’re not prepared, you could soon be paying to inject power into the grid.

Negative electricity prices are now a business issue

What started as a niche phenomenon for households with dynamic energy contracts is now reaching commercial energy users as well. Professional energy users - from SMEs to logistics and industrial sites - are increasingly impacted. Especially in Belgium. Grid congestion and the capacity tariff introduced by Fluvius make energy consumption not only more complex, but also more unpredictable. 

The market is changing. Staying passive is no longer an option. Even if your company currently benefits from fixed feed-in tariffs, those benefits may disappear soon. And solar energy can soon become a cost rather than a saving. Oversupply of renewable energy pushes market prices below zero more often. To showcase this, a clear example: on Sunday 11 May at 11:00 a.m., the price dropped to -0.4623 €/kWh, according to caniswitchonlight.com. 

“These evolving energy markets present significant opportunities. The volatility in energy prices creates room for optimization, much like trading in financial markets. The key requirement, in my view, is having a transparent and reliable partner. That’s where iwell truly adds value: by supporting our clients with proven experience and a no-surprises approach.” - Céline De Keersmaeker, Country Director Belgium

How smart storage changes the game

Energy markets will only get more dynamic. As grid operators introduce stricter peak tariffs and require more flexibility, companies that act today will be ahead of tomorrow’s curve. Battery systems and intelligent EMS software are no longer optional - they are key to resilience, sustainability and long-term profitability. 

Therefore, forward-thinking companies are taking action. With smart battery storage and an intelligent energy management system (EMS), companies can store excess energy, increase self-consumption, and even profit from energy price fluctuations. This turns a looming risk into a tangible profit opportunity. A smart energy management system can automatically:

• Store excess energy when prices are low or negative;
• Maximize self-consumption during peak hours;
• Sell energy back to the grid when prices are high;
• Pause solar production during oversupply moments;
• Reduce peak demand to lower capacity tariff costs;
• Decrease dependency on an overloaded, unstable grid.

For Belgian businesses, this means more control, more predictability, more reliability. And in the end: more profit as well.

Energy trading: turn volatility into opportunity

More and more Belgian companies are now stepping into energy trading. Energy trading is gaining traction fast, especially in Belgium, as local markets are becoming more dynamic and flexible energy players get rewarded. By selling stored energy when market prices spike (or even buying cheap energy to store during negative-price hours), these businesses can actively profit from volatility. Combined with the right EMS, trading becomes a smart revenue stream instead of a technical headache.

“The grid connection, which is often used for low-return PPAs or simple feed-in, becomes significantly more valuable when combined with a BESS and trading strategy. More and more clients are recognizing this and adjusting their approach. By maximizing the use of solar energy for local operations while optimizing the grid connection for market trading, both goals can be achieved simultaneously.” - Céline De Keersmaeker, Country Director Belgium

Are you ready to take control of your energy?

Are you curious to find out how your organization can make better use of solar power, avoid negative feed-in tariffs or get started with energy trading? At iwell, we help businesses with intelligent EMS systems and scalable battery solutions, from analysis to implementation. Don’t wait until your solar installation becomes a cost. Reach out to us for more information and discover how to turn your energy strategy into a competitive advantage.