ESS Tech, Inc. has signed a Letter of Intent with Juniper Energy LLC to deploy 500 MWh or more of sodium-ion battery energy storage systems, the company announced on July 22, 2026.
The agreement sets a framework for a long-term partnership between ESS, a provider of non-lithium energy storage solutions, and Juniper Energy, a California-based renewable energy developer. The companies plan to collaborate on an initial 10 MW / 80 MWh energy storage project in California, which is expected to use ESS’s modular sodium-ion AC solution, Bridge™, along with an ESS Energy Management System. The project is targeted for commercial operation in 2027.
ESS said the planned deployment marks a major step in expanding its sodium-based battery solutions. Subject to successful project execution and future project development, Juniper Energy intends to procure 500 MWh or more of ESS battery energy storage systems by 2032.
Drew Buckley, CEO of ESS, said the agreement validates the company’s strategy to expand its technology portfolio and bring sodium-ion energy storage to market. He said the partnership reflects growing customer demand for safer, domestically sourced alternatives to conventional lithium-ion batteries.
Keith McDaniels, Managing Partner of Juniper Energy, said Juniper aims to work with companies capable of moving innovative energy technologies from development to commercial operation. He said ESS has demonstrated its ability to integrate, deploy and scale advanced energy storage solutions, giving Juniper confidence in ESS’s sodium-ion technology.
ESS said its sodium-ion technology uses abundant materials and is designed to reduce exposure to geopolitical supply chain risks and Foreign Entity of Concern restrictions. The company believes demand for domestically sourced, non-lithium energy storage solutions is creating opportunities in utility-scale energy storage, AI data centers, commercial and industrial facilities, and critical infrastructure applications.
