Overview for System Operators

Overview of using Piclo to procure flexibility

Welcome to Piclo! Piclo is designed to make procuring flexibility simple, efficient, and transparent for System Operators (SOs). Whether you’re new to Piclo or already managing competitions, this guide will walk you through the key steps and features to help you get the most out of the platform.

Getting started: Setting up your SO account

To get started, Piclo sets up your base account. This includes SO company name, logo, brand colour, operating area and first users. Details of this process can be found in the system operator registration article.

Once your account is set up, you can add team members who require access. Piclo has a granular permission system and depending on custom market permissions. To ensuring everyone has the right level of access to collaborate effectively, please discuss your needs with the customer support team.

Learn more about Piclo permission management.

Make an Impact: Setting up SO profile for FSPs

Help FSPs understand your flexibility needs by sharing the key details of your market. This information is displayed on your System Operator Profile Page within Piclo and serves as a reference for FSPs participating in your competitions. View existing SO profile pages and details.

Include:

Market Rules & Eligibility: Outline the technical and operational criteria for FSP participation.
Service Types Procured: Indicate whether you’re procuring availability, utilisation, or other services.
Competition Timelines: Share key dates for upcoming competitions.
FAQs: Answer common questions to ensure FSPs have the information they need to participate successfully.

Dedicated Piclo Support

Piclo offers a variety of support options to ensure System Operators have the help they need, whether it’s through human assistance or easy-to-access resources.

👋 Human Support

Our team is here to help you at every step of the process:

Account Manager: Work closely with you to ensure your account setup, competition creation, and processes are smooth and aligned with your needs. Your Account Manager will arrange collaboration with Piclo's Marketing or DER engagement team to discuss launch and comms approaches.
Customer Support Team: Available to provide guidance and answer any questions about using the platform or resolving issues.
API Technical Support: Assists with any platform-specific challenges or integrations you may encounter.

🛠️ Self-Service Resources

Depending on your support package, we may also provide out of hours support. Learn more about our support offering.

Creating Competitions

Creating and launching competitions in Piclo is designed to be straightforward and adaptable to your needs. Follow these simple steps to get started:

Company qualification: Set up the DPS/Company qualification first.
Define competition boundaries: Competition boundaries can be added either via GeoPackages or via the competition file as a list of postcodes.
Create competitions: Download the latest competition file from Manage > Competitions. Support on how to use this file can be found in the Adding and Managing Competitions.
Technical qualification criteria: Piclo can create a custom qualification type for your market and competitions. Learn more about custom qualification.

Managing Competitions

Piclo makes it easy for System Operators to manage their competitions effectively. Below is a guide to key tasks you may perform to ensure smooth and successful competition rounds:

Review and Overwrite Asset Qualifications

SOs can review all qualified assets and make adjustments to the automatic qualification process where necessary by positively or negatively overwriting qualification. Learn more about technical qualification .

Upload MPAN safe lists

If your markets have a custom qualification criteria set, SOs can provide detailed MPAN topology files to ensure only assets linked to their network are qualified.

Leverage Piclo analytics to drive engagement and maximise capacity

Piclo Analytics provides valuable insights to help you engage FSPs and optimise flexibility procurement in your operating area. Access reports to track the number and types of assets already registered within your operating area and see how this grows over time. Learn more in the Piclo Analytics Guide.

Respond to FSP Questions

Flexibility Service Providers (FSPs) may have questions about specific assets or competition requirements. FSPs may contact SOs directly or go via Piclo Support.

Organise or join Piclo co-hosted webinar

Engage with FSPs through webinars to provide clarity and encourage participation.

Bids: Reviewing and Confirming

Once your competition round closes, Piclo’s platform gives you complete visibility and control over all received bids. Decision and confirm bids either directly in the platform or via file upload, depending on your preference.

For detailed guidance, refer to the decisioning and confirming bids and bid management process.

Depending on your market, you may have access to Market Clearing Algorithm or trigger dispatches when confirming competitions.

Results

After confirming competitions, Piclo provides a comprehensive suite of tools and reports to help System Operators manage and analyse results effectively.

Accessing Results: Accepted bids are automatically available to download from the "Contracts" section of the platform.
Download Comprehensive Reports: View all bids and results in the "Competition Results File" via Manage > Competition Results > View Results.

Data Hub Updates for Better Decision-Making

Piclo’s Data Hub automatically updates related reports, including information about the region’s competitions and bid results. FSPs can use the updated information to better understand competition trends, pricing, and regional requirements, improving their participation in future rounds.

Learn more about Piclo's Data Hub

Operations and Settlement

Piclo provides a comprehensive Operations and Settlement solution to support System Operators in managing flexibility services efficiently. These tools streamline the process of managing flexibility delivery, performance reporting, and financial settlement.

Dispatch Management: Issue, monitor, and track dispatch instructions to ensure flexibility is delivered as required.
Settlement Data and Invoicing: Piclo calculates performance based on baselines, and submitted meter data. Generate invoice data and settlement reports that account for availability and utilisation payments, penalties, and any other adjustments.

Learn more about Dispatch and Settlement and discuss your needs with your Account Manager.