ESS Tech and renewable energy developer Juniper Energy have entered into a strategic agreement to deploy sodium-ion battery storage systems, marking a significant shift away from traditional lithium-ion technology. By utilizing abundant, domestically sourced sodium, the partnership aims to bypass the complex supply chains and import restrictions associated with lithium. The collaboration will launch with a 10-megawatt, 80-megawatt-hour project in California, slated for operation by 2027. If this initial deployment proves successful, Juniper Energy intends to procure at least 500 megawatt-hours of additional sodium-ion storage capacity by 2032 to support the growing demand for reliable energy infrastructure.
The initiative centers on the use of ESS’s modular sodium-ion system, known as Bridge, which is designed to integrate with the company’s proprietary Energy Management System. This technology is being positioned as a safer, more reliable alternative for large-scale utility setups, commercial facilities, and AI data centers. Because these batteries rely on domestic materials, they are not subject to the same regulatory hurdles and “Foreign Entity of Concern” restrictions that frequently complicate projects dependent on imported lithium.
Company leadership views this agreement as a vital step in scaling non-lithium energy storage solutions. Drew Buckley, CEO of ESS, noted that the partnership reflects a clear market shift toward domestically sourced, safer energy alternatives. Keith McDaniels, Managing Partner at Juniper Energy, emphasized that the collaboration is built on confidence in ESS’s ability to transition advanced storage technology from development into full commercial operation. The project serves as a test case for the broader adoption of sodium-ion technology across future energy storage developments.