ESS Tech Inc. has announced the launch of its latest sodium-ion battery technology, focusing on grid-scale, commercial, and AI data center-related applications.

Officially named the ‘ESS Bridge,’ the fully modular system is “bridging the gap between today’s energy needs and a more secure and resilient energy future,” the company says. The 1.2 MWh building block battery system combines sodium-ion technology with ESS Tech’s existing energy management. The company will provide full system integration, including cells, modules, and a battery management system inside the container.

“Bridge is how we meet the demand we’re already seeing,” says Drew Buckley, CEO of ESS Tech. “AI workloads are reshaping what data centers need from energy storage, and sodium-ion handles those power needs more effectively than conventional technologies. Bridge is built to deliver that, which is why we’ve generated nearly a billion dollars in early-stage opportunity since entering sodium-ion.”

The system’s introduction is a significant milestone for the company, representatives add, as it looks to become a leader in the American non-lithium energy storage market. The name of the game, company officials say, is simplicity.

Plug and play

The new Bridge unit aims, first and foremost, to simplify logistics, the company says. Installers can set up the battery with a simple heavy duty forklift, and the battery is compatible in a number of environments with just normal air cooling.

Bridge is designed to eliminate any risk of thermal runaway often associated with traditional lithium-ion batteries, the company says. The new battery requires no HVAC or liquid cooling systems, and is capable of a “wide range” of charge and discharge profiles, from one hour to 16 hours or more.

“Today’s battery asset owners are looking for solutions that improve upon the conventional model,” said Randall Selesky, chief commercial officer of ESS Tech. “They want systems that improve safety, simplify operations, provide flexibility and support long-term energy security objectives. Bridge is designed to deliver those benefits in a single platform.”

ESS Tech Inc. built the new battery around abundant and widely available materials, the company says. Not only does this reduce potential supply chain shortages in North America, but it helps the firm’s customers manage exposure to FEOC restrictions and other hurdles put in place by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Tags: batteries, BESS, commercial and industrial, ESS, ESS Tech Inc., sodium-ion batteries, storage