Editor’s note: Wärtsilä manufacturers natural-gas-driven generators, a source that can be brought online quickly and then cycle up and down easily. This lets it play well with the variable nature of wind-generated power. Adding power storage to the mix provides just about the least expensive and most reliable power generation available.
The technology group Wärtsilä has signed an agreement to acquire Greensmith Energy Management Systems Inc. (Greensmith), a U.S.-based leader in intelligent energy storage technology, for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition of Greensmith will let Wärtsilä expand its footprint in the energy storage market and position itself as a leading global energy systems integrator. The closing of the transaction is subject to US regulatory approvals. Ownership of the company will be transferred to Wärtsilä after closing of the transaction which is expected to occur no later than July 2017.
The acquisition of Greensmith will let Wärtsilä, a manufacturer of engines such as the one above, expand its footprint in the energy storage market and position itself as a leading global energy systems integrator.
Founded in 2008, Greensmith is a recognized leader in energy storage technology and systems integration, responsible for deploying about a third of total US energy storage capacity in 2016. Specializing in energy storage optimization and integration software, the company today employs over 40 people and has delivered in excess of 180 MW to some of the largest power companies globally.
Greensmith has developed a world-leading energy management software system called GEMS, currently offered in its fifth generation. This platform enables utilities, Engineering Procurement and Construction companies and Independent Power Producers to manage and monitor individual systems or an entire fleet of systems, identifying and diagnosing equipment issues in real time, and extending system performance and longevity-therefore increasing return on investment. The company also offers a Commercial and Industrial (C&I) and micro-grid solution called OMNI4.
Energy storage is expected to grow exponentially as it becomes an integral part of any energy system. With this in mind, Wärtsilä aims to become a global systems integrator with full in-house capabilities specializing in solutions that offer the combination and optimization of different forms of power generation, energy storage, and demand side management. Having an integration software platform is a must and acquiring Greensmith gives Wärtsilä an industry leading platform to offer across an installed base of over 63 gigawatts of power generation around the world.
“Together with Greensmith, we will become a global energy systems integrator. Greensmith provides unparalleled software and energy storage knowledge and we provide our global footprint, EPC expertise, and large sales network. A perfect match,” says Javier Cavada, President at Wärtsilä Energy Solutions.
“We are very excited to become a key part of Wärtsilä, a global leader in advanced energy solutions,” said John Jung, CEO of Greensmith. “The combination of Greensmith’s proven technologies and Wärtsilä’s global footprint in advanced energy and power plants – will fuel significant growth in both integration and solutions market.”
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