Night-time electricity refers to electricity that is offered at special, usually reduced rates during the night. This pricing is particularly important in European countries such as Austria, where the aim is to reduce energy consumption outside peak times. Night-time electricity tariffs are often part of so-called "two-tariff meters", which divide consumption into main and secondary tariffs. The main tariff applies during the day, while the secondary tariff, which is often cheaper, is active during the night hours from around 10 pm to 6 am.

The main application for night-time electricity is in electric heating systems, such as night storage heaters, which store heat during the cooler hours and release it during the day. This type of heating technology is particularly common in regions where there is no connection to alternative heating sources such as natural gas. In Austria, night-time electricity is often used to reduce the operating costs of heating systems and increase comfort for households.

Another advantage of night-time electricity is that it reduces the load on the electricity grid. Total electricity consumption is generally lower during the night, allowing the electricity market to react more flexibly to fluctuations in production from renewable energies. Surplus energy can be offered cheaply, particularly at times when a lot of wind or solar energy is being generated. This makes it possible to manage energy consumption efficiently and maximize the use of renewable resources.

Despite the advantages, there are also challenges. Reliance on night-time power can lead to an irregular distribution of energy use, which could potentially affect the flexibility and stability of the overall power grid. There are also concerns about CO2 emissions when night-time electricity is generated from fossil fuels. However, in many European countries, including Austria, there is an increasing focus on greater integration of renewables into the electricity grid to address these concerns.

In summary, night-time electricity is an attractive option for households and businesses looking to optimize their energy costs. At the same time, it offers the opportunity to promote the transition to more sustainable energy sources. With the ongoing digitalization of the energy sector and the development of smart grid technologies, the role of night-time electricity in the European energy market could increase even further to improve the efficiency and flexibility of the entire system.