Wärtsilä Energy Storage has been named to the 2025 edition of TIME’s Best Inventions, an annual list that recognises innovations that make the world better, smarter, and more sustainable.

TIME recognised Wärtsilä for its work at the Blackhillock site in Scotland, a first-of-its-kind energy storage system in the UK.

Delivered to owner and operator Zenobē, the 200 MW / 400 MWh site is one of the largest grid-scale energy storage systems in Europe and the first globally to provide stability services to the National Energy System Operator (NESO) for Great Britain.

Launched in March 2025 under the National Grid’s NOA Stability Pathfinder programme, the project helps balance supply and demand while supporting the UK’s transition to renewable energy. Over the next 15 years, it is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 2.6 million tonnes.

The system delivers stability services that are critical to maintaining a reliable and stable grid, including short-circuit support and synthetic inertia.

Using advanced grid-forming inverters, it provides virtual inertia and fault response, enabling greater wind energy integration and less wasted renewable energy.

At its core is Wärtsilä’s GEMS Digital Energy Platform, which optimises power flow, eases grid constraints, and supports Zenobē’s participation in key UK electricity markets.

 GEMS also ensures safe, flexible, and remote system operation.

“Being named to TIME’s Best Inventions of 2025 is a proud moment for Wärtsilä Energy Storage,” added Tamara DeGruyter, President of Wärtsilä Energy Storage and EVP Wärtsilä. “It’s a clear signal that energy storage is not just a supporting technology—it’s a cornerstone of the net-zero transition. This  project represents a major milestone as we’re not just supporting the UK’s transition to renewables, but we’re setting a global benchmark for stability and sustainability.” -OGN/ TradeArabia News Service