Green utility Good Energy has confirmed that it is currently exploring the possibility of a wider roll-out of the Piclo energy trading service it trialled with Open Utility.
The Piclo service matched renewable generators and business customers, enabling participating parties to both sell and purchase renewable power on a platform managed by Good Energy and Open Utility.
The trial commenced on 1 October last year and the initial report, published in May, claimed the programme to have been a success – stating in particular that the concept promised to “bring renewable tariffs to life”.
Businesses involved in the trial included the National Trust, the Eden Project, BDP and a number of SMEs located to nearby generators such as Ferrygate Farm Fresh Eggs and Benson Signs.
One business participating in the trial was able to source almost 40% of its electricity from a large hydro generator over the course of a week in February, and this power was then topped up throughout the day through a large-scale solar farm it had been matched with.
While neither Good Energy nor Open Utility discussed the fate of the platform after its trial at the time of the report, Good Energy confirmed in a trading update published late last week that it was collaborating with the trial participants on that front.
“Following the completion of the trial the company is working with demand and generation trial users to assess the wider commercial opportunities for the platform,” the company stated.
Companies participating in the Piclo trial gave it largely glowing reviews. The Eden Project said it could save the company as much as £20,000 each year, while National Trust commercial manager Rosie Frankland called it a “great experience”.