Can Smart EV Chargers Power the Future Grid?
In this episode of the EV Charging Podcast, we sit down with Stefan Grosjean, the founder and Group CEO of Smappee. Grosjean shares his decades-long journey in energy innovation and how EV chargers are becoming intelligent tools to reshape home energy use, grid interaction, and climate resilience.
“The smartest energy is the energy you don’t consume.”
As a pioneer in energy data since the 1990s, Stefan discusses how smart homes, solar systems, batteries, and EV chargers can work together to reduce consumption, cut emissions, and support a decentralised energy network.
Highlights From the Episode
EV Chargers as Home Energy Gateways
- Smappee chargers are designed for more than powering vehicles – they’re the entry point to full home energy optimisation.
- Integrates with solar panels, batteries, and dynamic tariffs.
- Offers users real-time insights to reduce household consumption by up to 12%.
From Industrial Submetering to Smarter Homes
- Stefan founded EnergyICT in 1991 to digitise energy data for large businesses.
- Sold to Elster Group (now Honeywell), before launching Smappee in 2012.
- Goal: bring industrial-grade energy intelligence into everyday homes.
The Big Vision: Charging Electric Boats Mid-Ocean
- Stefan shares his radical idea to generate renewable energy at sea using kites and drones.
- These autonomous boats could power shipping fleets by collecting and delivering electricity offshore.
- Inspired by the idea that the ocean, not land, should drive our energy future.
Lessons From Europe’s EV Transition
- Belgium now sits at over 16% EV adoption, with >90% of new vehicle sales in some areas being electric.
- Stefan outlines the cultural, regulatory, and incentive structures that made the transition successful.
- Relevance to Australia: how to leapfrog mistakes and build for the long-term.
Instant Grid Flexibility With Smappee
- Smappee controls over 100,000+ assets globally.
- Can shift megawatts of power demand instantly to support grid stability.
- EV chargers double as distributed demand-response devices.
What You’ll Lear
- How energy consumption data changes user behaviour
- Why reducing energy use is more powerful than producing more
- How EVs, solar, and batteries interact in a home ecosystem
- The economics of decentralised energy grids
- Why policy must evolve alongside innovation
Listen to the Full Episode
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Want smarter energy? Start by understanding it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Smappee?
Smappee is a Belgian cleantech company offering smart EV chargers and energy management systems for homes and businesses. Their solutions provide energy insights, automation, and optimisation tools.
How does Smappee reduce electricity consumption?
By providing real-time feedback and intelligent control of home appliances and charging, Smappee users reduce consumption by an average of 12%.
What makes Smappee chargers different?
They combine high-accuracy submetering, solar forecasting, load balancing, and dynamic tariff optimisation – all built into the charger.
Why is Stefan Grosjean a key voice in energy?
He’s a 30+ year veteran in energy tech, having founded and sold one of Europe’s leading industrial energy companies before launching Smappee to bring that innovation to consumers.
Is this relevant to Australian EV owners?
Yes. Australia’s EV adoption is growing, and Smappee’s approach offers a smarter way to manage home charging and support the grid with minimal complexity.
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