We are on a mission to enable flexible energy systems. 

Piclo’s mission is to decarbonise the world’s grids. We develop software solutions that make our energy networks smarter, flexible and more sustainable. Piclo Max, our market access platform, enables flex sellers (such as EV and battery owners) to access all electricity markets from one place. Piclo Flex, our flexibility services marketplace, enables flex buyers (system operators) to source flexible electricity from flex sellers during times of high demand or low supply.

Piclo currently operates in six global markets: in the UK, supporting four Distribution System Operators (UK Power Networks, SP Energy Networks, Electricity North West and Northern Powergrid); and the Transmission System Operator (TSO) (the ESO); in Ireland (ESB Networks), Italy (E-Distribuzione), Portugal (E-REDES), Lithuania (Energijos Skirstymo Operatorius AB (ESO)), and in the United States in New York State (National Grid). Aside from its leading position in the UK, Piclo has a growing presence in Europe and the USA.

Our approach

Our marketplace drives increased participation, standardisation and scale to level the playing field and streamline the transition to Net Zero.

We place humans at the core of our design process, understanding the challenges with flexibility procurement in order to reduce the friction involved.

We facilitate competitive auctions, meaning Flex Providers bid to win contracts, ensuring the best price is secured.

Our investors

Future Energy Ventures is the venture capital investment and collaboration platform of E.ON. It invests in digital and digitally-enabled technologies and business models that have the potential to redefine the future energy landscape. Typically focusing on digital, scalable and asset-light companies raising Series A and beyond funding, Future Energy Ventures seeks to capitalise on the investment opportunities presented by the transition to a new energy future and maximise scaling opportunities for its portfolio.

The Clean Growth Fund was launched in May 2020, with cornerstone investment from the UK Government’s Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and CCLA, one of the UK's largest charity fund managers with £10bn of assets under management.

The Fund is investing in the UK’s most promising early-stage “clean growth” companies that are pioneering carbon emission reductions in the areas of power and energy, buildings, transport and waste. It made its first investment in Piclo in December 2020.

Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation is a leading supplier of integrated energy solutions. With its long experience and expertise in wide range of power generating and transmitting systems and energy management technology, the company delivers innovative, reliable and efficient energy solutions across the globe. Split off from Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO: 6502) in October 2017.

Sustainable Future Ventures (SFV) is a multi-LP venture capital fund that invests in technology solutions that positively impact the built environment and enable the transition to net zero. Backed by PATRIZIA, a leading European real estate manager with EUR 59BN AUM, SFV leverages their position to source, test and deliver strategic value-add to its portfolio companies. Current fund investments include a carbon offset marketplace, an electricity flexibility market platform, an alternative form factor heat pump and a single family residence investment platform.

Mott MacDonald Ventures, the strategic corporate venture capital arm of global engineering, management and development consultancy Mott MacDonald, was established in 2018 to offer a collaborative approach to partnering with visionary start-ups that develop game-changing digital solutions. Mott MacDonald Ventures provides founders with unparalleled capabilities and access to a global network of diverse clients.

Bethnal Green Ventures is an accelerator programme, early stage investor and support network for ambitious social ventures using technology to tackle the world’s most pressing problems. Since 2008 they have supported over 65 startups including Overleaf, Fairphone and Commonplace.

Japan Energy Fund is a dedicated fund that invests in promising climate tech solutions around the world which have the potential to scale in Japan. We are the only fund from Japan that is purely focused on climate tech and investing in US/European startups.

Green Angel Syndicate (GAS) is one of the largest angel investment syndicates in the UK, and the only one specialising in the fight against Climate Change. GAS believes in smart investments for sustainable change and invests in early stage companies that help to reverse or reduce carbon emissions.

west
east

Our journey

December 2022
Piclo Flex selected to support new Local Constraint Market
Supporting National Grid ESO in a move to clamp down on one of the fastest rising constraints costs of operating the power grid in the UK.

Press Release
December 2022
Piclo launches in United States
Piclo and National Grid launch new marketplace for flexibility services in New York state.

Press Release
November 2022
Project LEO runs first end-to-end automated flexibility procurement process
API’s developed by Piclo mark a key milestone for flexibility markets.

Read
November 2022
Piclo launches in Portugal
E-REDES and Piclo lead the way towards Portugal’s first local flexibility market.

Press Release
August 2022
Piclo launches in Lithuania
International partnership with Lithuania’s ESO to accelerate local flexibility market development.

Press Release
January 2022
Piclo named ‘Global Cleantech100 company’
Recognised as leading company committed to taking action on the climate crisis.

Press Release
December 2021
Piclo wins Digital DSO Power Award
E.DSO Stakeholder and Innovation Council awards Piclo Flex for ‘Market Facilitation’.

Press Release
November 2021
Piclo Exchange launches
As part of the BEIS FleX Exchange project, we have worked alongside National Grid ESO to create a secondary trading marketplace. Capacity Market Providers can buy and sell existing contracts from other qualified users.

Blog
October 2021
Stephanie Hazell appointed Board Member and Seed Investor Director
Joining Volker Beckers, Melanie Hayes, Beverley Gower-Jones and Craig Lucas.

Press Release
July 2021
UK Power Networks awards £30m worth of flexibility contracts
Via Piclo Flex.

Article
June 2021
SP Energy Networks accepts 555MW of flexibility contracts in Spring competition
Via Piclo Flex.

Article
May 2021
Piclo closes Series A funding round
£4.7m investment secured from Mott MacDonald Ventures, Clean Growth Fund and Green Angel Syndicate.

Press Release
January 2021
Northern Ireland Electricity Networks hosts first-ever flexibility competitions
Via Piclo Flex.

Blog
December 2020
Series A funding secured with investment from Clean Growth Fund
July 2020
UK Power Networks awards £14m worth of flexibility contracts via Piclo Flex
Storage and EVs take the lead in UKPN’s Summer 2020 flexibility competitions.
February 2020
BEIS grants £500k funding for launch of new flexibility market ‘Piclo Exchange’
Part of the BEIS FleX competition, a collaboration with National Grid ESO and Flex Providers to trial and launch an online exchange flexibility market.

Article
July 2019
First flexibility auction is successful
The winners of the first UKPN / Piclo auctions are announced Limejump, Moixa, Powervault and AMP Clean Energy.
March 2019
First commercial contract for Piclo Flex
We reach a major milestone with our Piclo Flex platform by securing our first commercial contract with SSEN.
February 2019
Piclo Flex trials conclude
Our BEIS project comes to a successful conclusion after signing up all 6 DSOs and over 175 flex providers to the trials.
December 2018
Piclo board expands
The founders welcome three new faces to the board: Volker Beckers, Jonathan Graham and Melanie Hayes.
June 2018
Launching Piclo Flex
Our Flexibility Marketplace launches for buyers and sellers of flexibility in the UK.
March 2018
Local Grid Charging
We publish our latest white paper looking into innovative peer-to-peer grid charging models with support from Western Power Distribution.
September 2017
BEIS funding for Flexibility Marketplace
UK Gov Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) fund our Flex Marketplace, taking the total raised to £1.9 million.
2013 — 2016
The early years
James, Andy and Alice founded Piclo® (previously known as Open Utility) in January 2013 with the mission to power the world by cheap, clean and abundant electricity. In 2013 £500k of funding was awarded from DECC, Nominet Trust & Climate-KIC to trial peer-to-peer trading services. By 2014, we were awarded ‘Startup of the Year’ at European Utility Week & featured in Bloomberg’s 50 Business Innovators. And in 2016, Good Energy launch ‘Selectricity’ after successful trials in Italy and Netherlands of peer-to-peer trading services.
We're hiring!

Come and help us shape the future of energy 🙌

View open positions