Piclo announces the expansion of its partnership with E-REDES, Portugal’s main electricity distribution operator, as part of the FIRMe project. This enhanced collaboration marks a significant step in transforming the national electricity system and driving forward Portugal’s decarbonisation strategy.
The partnership plays a vital role in the development of local flexibility markets, which are critical for enabling grid flexibility and enhancing the distribution network’s ability to meet both current and future energy challenges. The involvement of Flexibility Service Providers (FSPs) is now central to supporting E-REDES in its mission to decarbonise the national grid, directly contributing to Portugal's National Energy and Climate Plan 2030.
As part of this partnership, Piclo is helping to unlock the potential of flexibility frameworks by raising awareness among service providers and supporting a more dynamic procurement process. This partnership not only strengthens the role of flexibility in grid management but also provides valuable insights into market response, helping to refine processes and adapt rules to ensure long-term sustainability.
“Extending this partnership means we will continue our path to build a local flexibility market in Portugal, developing our own internal capabilities as a distribution system operator on the way. This collaboration with Piclo is unlocking the potential of this flexibility framework by raising awareness to possible service providers."
said João Rafael, Project Manager at E-Redes.
"At the same time, this joint flexibility procurement process is allowing E-REDES to gain important knowledge regarding market response and be able to, therefore, adapt rules and procedures. This is, undoubtedly, two of our main goals”.
One of the unique characteristics of local flexibility markets is geographical specificity. The areas where flexibility is required can be localised, which presents an exciting opportunity to attract and engage a broad range of Flexibility Service Providers (FSPs) with innovative solutions tailored to these specific requirements which in turn leads to increased market liquidity.
“Together with Piclo, we are addressing this challenge by leveraging their experience in other markets and their extensive network operating in different geographies,”
said João Rafael, Project Manager at E-REDES.
“This partnership is crucial in helping us overcome barriers and ensure a more dynamic local flexibility market, strengthening our ability to meet the evolving needs of the electricity grid.”
By working closely with Piclo, E-REDES is enhancing the flexibility framework, unlocking new opportunities for service providers, and strengthening the sustainability of the energy system as a whole.
"The continued growth of our partnership with E-REDES is an exciting opportunity to drive the future of energy flexibility in Portugal,"
said James Johnston, CEO at Piclo.
"We are proud to be at the forefront of this transformation, helping to shape the local flexibility market while contributing to Portugal’s green energy ambitions."
Together, Piclo and E-REDES are not only enhancing local flexibility but are also setting the stage for a more resilient, sustainable electricity grid for the future.
For media requests or to discover more, please contact the Piclo team at comms@piclo.energy.
[This notice was updated on 22nd January, 2025]
Piclo’s mission is to decarbonise the grid. We develop software solutions that make our energy networks smarter, flexible and more sustainable. Our marketplace platform enables flex sellers (such as EV and battery owners) to access more electricity markets from one place. And enables flex buyers (system operators, US utilities) to source flexible electricity from more Distributed Energy Resources.
To date, Piclo has over 350,000 registered flexible assets representing 26+ GW of registered flex capacity, with flexibility contracts awarded totalling £75m and 3+ GW of flexible capacity procured.
Piclo currently operates in six global markets: in the UK, supporting all six Distribution System Operators (UK Power Networks, SP Energy Networks, Electricity North West, Northern Powergrid, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks and National Grid Electricity Distribution); and the independent System Operator (NESO); in Ireland (ESB Networks), Italy (E-Distribuzione), Portugal (E-REDES)); in Australia (CitiPower, Powercor); and in the United States in New York State (National Grid) and Connecticut (United Illuminating, Eversource). Aside from its leading position in the UK, Piclo has a growing presence in Europe, USA and the Asia-Pacific.
For more information contact us follow us on LinkedIn, and watch us on YouTube.