ESS Tech Seals LOI with Juniper Energy for Over 500 MWh Sodium-Ion Storage, Kicking Off with 80 MWh in California by 2027

August 2, 2026

Barchart.com USA

Overview

ESS Tech, Inc. has signed a Letter of Intent with Juniper Energy LLC for the deployment of 500 MWh or more of sodium-ion battery energy storage systems by 2032. The partnership includes an initial 10 MW / 80 MWh project in California, targeted for 2027, utilizing ESS’s modular sodium-ion AC solution, Bridge™. This system requires neither liquid cooling nor complex fire suppression, offering a safe and cost-effective long-duration storage solution and addressing the growing demand for domestically sourced, non-lithium energy solutions.

In Depth

Key Findings

ESS Tech, Inc. has announced the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Juniper Energy LLC for the deployment of over 500 MWh of sodium-ion battery energy storage systems (BESS) by 2032. This strategic partnership represents a significant step forward in accelerating the adoption of long-duration energy storage solutions across the United States.

Technical Details

Central to this collaboration is ESS Tech’s innovative modular sodium-ion AC solution, branded as ‘Bridge™’. A key feature of this system is its design, which eliminates the need for liquid cooling systems or complex fire suppression infrastructure, thereby substantially reducing both installation costs and operational risks. The initial project under this LOI is slated for operation in California by 2027, with a capacity of 10 MW / 80 MWh. The Bridge™ system utilizes a unique iron-salt electrolyte, ensuring long-term stability, enhanced safety, and reduced environmental impact compared to conventional battery chemistries.

Background & Context

The global energy market is experiencing a surge in demand for long-duration energy storage as renewable energy penetration increases, necessitating robust solutions for grid stabilization and reliability. While lithium-ion batteries are well-suited for short-duration storage, alternative technologies like sodium-ion batteries are gaining traction due to their cost-effectiveness and sustainability for extended discharge periods. In the U.S. in particular, there’s growing interest in energy solutions that leverage domestic resources, and systems like ESS Tech’s Bridge™ are expected to contribute significantly to supply chain diversification and energy independence.

Strategic Significance & Outlook

This LOI between ESS Tech and Juniper Energy underscores the rapid emergence of sodium-ion batteries as a sustainable and economically viable solution for grid-scale storage. The multiple projects expected to be deployed through this partnership will serve to further validate and popularize sodium-ion technology, potentially prompting similar adoptions in other regions and by other companies. This marks a pivotal moment, strengthening the role that next-generation storage technologies will play in the ongoing energy transition.

Source: https://www.barchart.com/story/news/3504174/ess-tech-gwh-signs-agreement-with-juniper-energy-for-500-mwh-or-more-of-sodium-ion-energy-storage-deployments

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