ESS Tech, Inc. has expanded its operations into Europe in response to a growing demand for long-duration energy storage solutions in the region.
“Based on our success in the U.S., it makes sense to bring our technology to the European market where demand is so strong,” ESS CEO, Eric Dresselhuys, said in a recent press release. “LDES technologies are the only way we can combat the devastating effects of climate change. We are deploying solutions today that will help the European region to simultaneously accelerate the transition to sustainable energy sources and achieve its energy security goals.”
The long-duration battery manufacturer will deploy its first batch of batteries in Europe during the second half of 2022, fulfilling the local requirement of up to 20 Terawatt hours of long-duration energy storage needed to meet United Nations climate change goals of Grid Net-Zero by 2041, the release stated.
The company has already customer orders from ENEL in Spain for the delivery 17 ESS Energy Warehouse iron flow battery systems, according to the release. The product can provide up to 8.5 MWh and will be used to support a European Union-backed solar farm and enhance the local power grid,
Demand for the product derives from an increased urgency to transition to renewable energy amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Business Wire reported. The use of LDES also reduces Europe’s dependence on gas-powered technology.
Specializing in utility-scale and commercial energy storage applications, ESS has brought in Alan Greenshields to oversee all European customer adoption and deployment as director of the region, the release stated. The executive will contribute more than 25 years of senior executive experience. He has held various positions at battery technology companies.
According to the LDES Council’s inaugural report published in November 2021, long-duration energy storage is necessary to limit the current climate change acceleration. The report projects that by “2040 the deployment of LDES could result in the avoidance of 1.5 to 2.3 gigatons of carbon dioxide per annum.”
“Long-duration energy storage is the answer to how we are going to get our grids to net zero,” Greenshields said in the release. “ESS is the leading LDES battery maker in the world and best placed to drive the decarbonizing of our energy systems in Europe. To work with such a strong company on such a critical mission is a challenge I thoroughly look forward to.”