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Several months ago, when I conducted an interview about a new energy storage system in the Shetlands, I didn’t know the GEMS software was involved. By happy accident, it turns out Wärtsilä Energy Storage recently had some news about GEMS Pulse, so it was possible to do another one with them. Steve Merrick, Seni…
Support CleanTechnica’s work through a Substack subscription or on Stripe.
Several months ago, when I conducted an interview about a new energy storage system in the Shetlands, I didn’t know the GEMS software was involved. By happy accident, it turns out Wärtsilä Energy Storage recently had some news about GEMS Pulse, so it was possible to do another one with them. Steve Merrick, Senior Product Manager at Wärtsilä Energy Storage, answered some questions for CleanTechnica.
What is GEMS Pulse and who is it for?** **
GEMS Pulse is Wärtsilä Energy Storage’s newest software solution designed for owners and operators of battery energy storage systems (BESS). It transforms massive volumes of complex battery data into clear, actionable insights. With tools for predictive analytics, anomaly detection, and scenario simulation, GEMS Pulse helps asset owners maximize uptime, reclaim unused capacity, and enhance the financial performance of their energy storage projects throughout the system lifecycle.
How can it unlock up to 20% of previously unused battery capacity?** **
Many BESS operators intentionally underutilise up to 20% of their total capacity as a safeguard against uncertainties in battery health, State of Charge, and available energy metrics. GEMS Pulse, when operating alongside the Wärtsilä BMS, provides high-confidence measurements of key parameters, including state of charge (SoC), state of health (SoH), and cell imbalance. With more accurate visibility into real battery conditions, operators can confidently tap into that previously unused margin—unlocking additional capacity that directly translates into greater operational flexibility and revenue.
How can it prevent project losses?** **
Small inaccuracies in battery measurements can add up to significant financial losses. For example, a 5% SoC error could result in annual revenue loss of approximately $10,000 per megawatt (MW). For a 100 MW / 2-hour energy storage system, that equates to as much as $20 million in lost revenue over the project’s lifetime. GEMS Pulse prevents these losses by continuously monitoring system data in real time, detecting anomalies before they cause downtime or damage. It also helps ensure that batteries are operated within optimal performance ranges to maximise revenue-generating capacity.
Is it connected to AI in any way?
GEMS Pulse uses best-in-class data science techniques to detect anomalies that reduce system performance. AI algorithms underpin the SoC estimation, resulting in a significant reduction in error for our customers. Additionally, we anticipate that GEMS Pulse will provide key insights to AI data center customers, who need incredibly high performant systems and have low tolerance for uncertainty or inaccuracies.
What is anomaly detection?** **
Anomaly detection is the process of identifying unusual or unexpected behaviour within battery performance data. GEMS Pulse uses intelligent anomaly detection to pinpoint underperforming cells, modules, or components before they lead to failures. By catching these early signs of degradation or imbalance, operators can take proactive action to prevent downtime, extend system life, and protect revenue.
Is GEMS Pulse already in use?** **
GEMS Pulse is already being used by Wärtsilä’s own energy performance services team to optimize over 9 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of battery capacity across its global fleet. It has already delivered measurable improvements in performance, uptime, and state-of-charge accuracy.
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