Storage
ESS Tech launches 1.2 MWh sodium-ion battery 'building block' energy storage system
On July 8, ESS Tech announced the launch of a modular sodium-ion battery energy storage system called ESS Bridge, with a single module capacity of 1.2 MWh, stackable to 4.8 MWh in a traditional 20-foot battery container, comparable to the capacity of the latest Tesla Megapack iteration. The company stated that since announcing the procurement of 8.5 GWh of sodium-ion battery cells and modules from Alsym Energy at the end of April, it has attracted over $1 billion in early-stage customer opportunities.
KEMA Labs: Quality Will Define the Future of the Power Industry
The energy shock caused by recent events in the Middle East has revealed that the global power supply chain, after the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022-2023 crises, has no buffer left. KEMA Labs analysis indicates that fuel shortages, rising costs of critical materials, logistics congestion, and project standstills are compounding to create systemic strain. More concerning, accelerated procurement and relaxed qualification standards are leading to a silent decline in equipment quality—many products are failing independent certification tests. In this urgent market environment, rigorous type testing and independent verification have become the last line of defense against quality risks and for maintaining grid resilience.
New Jersey Strengthens Transmission Regulation with 'Affordability' at Its Core
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill signed a series of bills aimed at reducing residential electricity costs, covering state-level review of transmission projects, eliminating the additional rate of return for voluntary PJM membership, and establishing a dedicated rate structure for large data centers.
Massachusetts utility companies sign 4.5 GWh energy storage contracts
Three major utility companies in Massachusetts have submitted long-term contracts to advance three large-scale energy storage projects with a total capacity of 1,068 MW/4,472 MWh, supporting the state's 5 GW energy storage goal by 2030.
Eversource Launches Targeted Load Management Pilot Program in Massachusetts
Eversource, an investor-owned utility in New England, announced on June 25 that it will expand its ConnectedSolutions demand response program by launching two targeted pilots in the Boston area and southeastern Massachusetts. The pilots aim to use customer-side resources such as batteries, electric vehicles, and smart thermostats to alleviate local grid overloads during summer heat waves and encourage charging during midday periods of solar surplus.
Can zinc-based batteries scale up in the wave of U.S. energy storage construction?
Officials from the International Zinc Association (IZA) told Utility Dive this week that as energy storage demand surges and lithium supply may face shortages in the coming years, zinc-based batteries are expected to gain broader deployment. However, U.S. zinc battery production is constrained by high scaling costs and safety standards designed for more flammable lithium-ion batteries. IZA Executive Director Andrew Green stated that awareness and acceptance of zinc batteries among end users such as utilities need to be improved. According to U.S. Department of Energy data, there are currently few grid-scale zinc battery installations in the U.S., with most capacities not exceeding 1 MW.
Are tariffs good or bad for the U.S. energy storage industry? Experts say it's complicated
The Trump administration's aggressive trade policies are impacting the United States' booming energy storage industry. Analysts and corporate insiders point out that without clarity on long-term import tariffs, industry challenges may continue to deepen over the next year or two until global supply chains rebalance. Despite short-term turbulence, the industry remains optimistic about its prospects, with some expecting protectionist policies to boost U.S. battery manufacturing in the long run and potentially open space for lithium-ion alternative technologies.
储能赛道持续升温：哪些新技术正在崭露头角？
为实现2035年电力脱碳目标，美国需要锂离子电池之外的多种储能技术。自2019年以来，全球长时储能项目已吸引超过580亿美元投资，对应约57吉瓦装机。本文聚焦锌基、铁空气、氢能和重力储能四类技术，介绍其原理、优势、挑战及代表性项目。