Advanced battery analytics with Shyam Srinivasan (CEO and Co-Founder of Zitara Technologies)
Feb 13, 2025
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Shyam Srinivasan, CEO and Co-Founder of Zitara Technologies, specializes in advanced battery analytics and real-time edge monitoring for energy storage. He discusses how battery management systems' inaccuracies can lead to significant financial losses. Shyam explains the challenges of lithium iron phosphate batteries and the need for accurate data in energy trading. He advocates for a shift towards real-time edge computing, emphasizing its advantages over cloud analytics, and highlights essential data requirements for better procurement in the battery sector.
Accurate measurement of a battery's state of charge is crucial for revenue optimization, yet many traditional management systems exhibit significant inaccuracies, especially with LFP chemistry.
Access to detailed cell-level data and historical information during procurement is essential for effective energy management and enhancing operational performance in battery systems.
Deep dives
Zatara Technologies and Its Mission
Zatara Technologies is focused on real-time edge monitoring and controls for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to enhance their profitability and longevity. The company has a 35-person team primarily composed of controls experts from the autonomous driving industry and battery modeling specialists who delve into battery chemistry for better management. By employing advanced algorithms and edge control capabilities, Zatara addresses the complexities arising from various battery chemistries, particularly LFP, which have become prevalent in grid-scale applications. The aim is to provide asset owners with improved safety, efficiency, and ultimately increased revenue through better asset management.
Challenges of State of Charge Measurement
Accurate measurement of the state of charge (SoC) in batteries is crucial for maximizing revenue, yet it presents significant challenges, particularly with LFP batteries. Traditional battery management systems often exhibit 20 to 30 percent inaccuracies during power discharge, which can lead to opportunity costs in energy trading. These inaccuracies arise because SoC is typically gauged through voltage measurements, which become problematic under load or as batteries age. Therefore, reliable real-time data is essential for asset owners to bid effectively in energy markets, particularly as prices peak.
Importance of Data Access and Integration
Access to granular battery data is vital for asset owners to effectively manage their energy storage systems and optimize operational performance. During the construction and procurement phases, it's essential to include provisions for detailed cell-level data and historical information in contracts to facilitate problem-solving when issues arise. Many asset owners face challenges in accessing vital data due to the configurations set by original equipment manufacturers, particularly if they lack the proper IT architecture for data retrieval. Ensuring open access to data streams allows for comprehensive performance analytics and troubleshooting, improving long-term asset management.
Innovations in Cell Balancing Strategies
Cell balancing, essential for maintaining energy efficiency in battery systems, can become increasingly complex as batteries age and their individual cells discharge unevenly. Traditional methods often require bringing cells completely down to either 0% or 100% state of charge to initiate balancing, which can lead to opportunity costs and operational downtime. Zatara advocates for intelligent, automated balancing systems that provide real-time visibility into the state of imbalance across assets, enabling periodic adjustments without significant downtime. By efficiently addressing balancing opportunities, asset owners can optimize energy availability and maximize profits.
Accurately measuring a battery’s state of charge might seem like a simple task, but small errors can have huge financial consequences.
From base point deviations to inaccurate market bids, asset owners are leaving money on the table due to imprecise battery management systems. Could better software and real-time analytics unlock greater returns?
This week, Quentin is joined by Shyam Srinivasan, CEO and Co-Founder of Zitara Technologies, to discuss how advanced battery analytics can improve accuracy, longevity, and revenue certainty for energy storage owners.
With a background in cutting-edge hardware and software solutions—including time at Nest—Shyam explains why state-of-charge miscalculations are so common, how the shift to LFP chemistry has created new challenges, and why the industry needs a fundamental rethink of battery monitoring and control.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
Why OEM battery management systems can be off by 20-30% during discharge.
How inaccurate state-of-charge readings impact market participation and revenues.
The challenges of managing LFP batteries compared to previous chemistries.
Why Zitara focuses on real-time edge computing instead of cloud analytics.
What asset owners should demand in their procurement contracts to ensure better data access.
About Shyam Srinivasan
Shyam Srinivasan is the CEO and Co-Founder of Zitara Technologies, a company specializing in advanced battery analytics and real-time edge monitoring for grid-scale storage. With a background in both hardware and software engineering, he previously worked at Nest, helping develop intelligent home automation solutions before pivoting to energy storage. At Zitara, Shyam and his team focus on optimizing battery performance, ensuring greater accuracy in state-of-charge measurements, and helping asset owners maximize profitability through smarter energy management.
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