Energy storage company Greensmith Energy Management Systems and South-Australian solar developer ZEN Energy Systems signed a formal partnership agreement earlier this month. In the agreement, Greensmith will provide software licenses for its Battery Operating System to ZEN, who will market and deliver a line of energy storage products in Australia.

Energy Storage Software News
Greensmith, previously a provider of turn-key energy storage systems, has started a shift towards a stand-alone software and controls business. In this partnership, ZEN will use the Greensmith Battery Operating System and associated software applications as the core computing technology inside a new line of energy storage systems.

These applications include a wide variety of functions for customers on both sides of the meter; for instance frequency regulation for utility customers, and cost optimization around on-peak and off-peak periods for behind-the-meter customers. ZEN will also use Greensmith's proprietary Battery Management System to ensure optimal management of each electron.

ZEN will market the products, manage the supply chain of batteries and inverters, and deliver the final products to its local customers in Australia.

Greensmith has previously provided turn-key systems in conjunction with solar projects. The company recently released a case study about their project with leading CPV developer Amonix. Greensmith continues to take orders for turn-key systems outside of Australia, but over time will focus primarily on the computing side of the business, with future revenues coming primarily from software licenses.

The Big Data Opportunity
In addition to the operating system and software applications, Greensmith will provide a hosted user portal and analytics services to tune the operation of individual units. With countless sensors tracking data every 1.5 seconds, this is clearly a Big Data optimization opportunity which Greensmith has recognized.

Through the online user portal, customers with multiple units will tap into centralized fleet management, a timely offering for utility customers with a mounting interest in asset management systems.

Pioneering a Path to Market
With this partnership in place, Greensmith will leverage ZEN's established solar business as a viable path to bring energy storage to the bourgeoning Australian market. System sizes range from residential scale (5 kW / 20 kWh) to commercial and utility scale. The residential product will be deployed and tested over the upcoming summer season, and available to the general residential marketplace in fall 2012.

Commenting on the new partnership, Greensmith CEO John Jung said: "We are pleased to see this agreement finalized. ZEN has the marketing and supply-chain expertise to make this agreement work, and we are already seeing the first orders come in from ZEN's initial outreach activities."