Bo Gao, Engineering Director at Syselek, one of the GridFlex innovators, discusses the opportunities for aggregating high capacity eHGV charging demand and aligning it with grid needs using automated optimisation

What problem are you solving and why does it matter for the energy system?

We help electric heavy goods vehicle (eHGV) fleets optimise their charging to reduce costs and improve infrastructure utilisation, while preparing them for future participation in flexibility markets.

As heavy transport electrifies, unmanaged high-power charging could create grid stress and cost volatility. Intelligent optimisation turns large fleet demand from a potential system risk into a controllable, grid-supportive resource.

What has surprised you most about working in the energy sector?

The complexity and fragmentation of UK flexibility markets. While the technology to optimise charging already exists, the lack of accessible commercial dynamic tariffs and clear participation pathways makes adoption far more challenging than expected.

Where do you see the biggest opportunity for your technology to unlock flexibility?

The largest opportunity lies in aggregating high capacity eHGV charging demand and aligning it with grid needs through automated optimisation. As fleets scale, coordinated smart – and eventually bidirectional – charging can provide significant demand-side flexibility at depots.

What has been the biggest challenge in trying to deploy your solution?

Market readiness, rather than technology. Fleet operators are still focused on the fundamentals of electrification, while UK non-domestic tariff structures limit clear financial signals for flexibility participation.

Why did you join the GridFlex programme and how is it helping you achieve your scaleup ambitions?

We joined the GridFlex programme because it provides a unique opportunity to combine technical, commercial and policy expertise in one place.

As Syselek develops optimisation tools for eHGV fleets, we recognise that success depends not only on technology but also on understanding how fleets can engage with evolving energy markets and regulatory frameworks.

The programme has already delivered significant value through its workshops, webinars and group exercises, which have provided practical insights into flexibility markets, business models, customer needs and routes to commercialisation.

Learning alongside other innovators has also helped us benchmark our challenges and identify opportunities for collaboration. Access to experts from Digital Catapult and Energy Systems Catapult, together with opportunities for testing, validation and stakeholder engagement, is helping us strengthen our business model and technology roadmap.

What’s next for your technology and what are you looking for?

Next, we aim to validate optimisation strategies across different tariff and flexibility scenarios, while strengthening our commercial model.

We’re looking for clearer policy direction, access to realistic testing environments and partnerships that enable scalable deployment as flexibility markets evolve.

If you’re an innovator, industry partner or researcher who wants to be part of shaping the UK’s flexible energy future, you can register your interest in the GridFlex programme and stay informed about upcoming opportunities. Sign up here: www.digicatapult.org.uk/programmes/programme/gridflex/