Fortescue has acquired U.S.-based Zitara, strengthening its position in the Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) market.
The investment is set to enhance the capabilities of Fortescue’s battery intelligence software, Elysia, by combining existing industry leading cloud-based products, with on-site systems for battery electric storage.
For BESS customers, the acquisition of Zitara, a company specialising in on-site precision control solutions, unlocks a powerful combination of cloud analytics paired with real-time on-premises controls to maximise trading revenue, asset lifetime, and safety.
The acquisition also creates one of the fastest-growing enterprises in battery intelligence, purpose-built to service the world’s leading grid-scale storage operations.
Elysia Manager Director, Tim Engstrom, said: “The acquisition of Zitara will expand the capabilities of our battery intelligence division, bringing together world-class cloud analytics with real-time on-premises controls, complementing the existing work of Elysia and strengthening our position in the Battery Energy Storage market.
“Integrating real-time on-site control systems with Elysia’s proven analytics gives us a unique, globally scalable platform.
“This positions Fortescue at the cutting edge of battery intelligence and supports our mission to accelerate decarbonisation across industry profitably.”
Fortescue will be one of the first companies globally to take advantage of a full suite of battery intelligence offering through live deployment on its large-scale BESS installations in the Pilbara, Western Australia.
Fortescue will roll out four to five gigawatt hours (GWh) of storage systems, set to provide critical assistance to decarbonising the company’s iron ore operations by 2030.
The deal also further builds on Fortescue’s presence in key global BESS markets, including the U.S, Australia, and Europe, regions expected to more than double to over 500 GWh combined in the next five years.
Elysia develops products to unlock untapped battery potential and overcome real-world challenges that will ultimately help accelerate industrial decarbonisation globally.
The solutions provided by Zitara augment this, through the delivery of an integrated battery intelligence product offering that maximises the performance and return on investment of BESS assets whilst creating new opportunities to unlock and fast-track R&D in green energy technologies.
