Website: [essinc.com](https://essinc.com) ### Introduction ESS Inc. (Energy Storage Systems Inc.) was founded in 2011 by Craig Evans and Julia Song, with a mission to enable the energy transition and accelerate the adoption of renewable energy through long-duration energy storage solutions that are safe, sustainable, and cost-effective. Headquartered in Wilsonville, Oregon, USA, ESS Inc. focuses on providing non-lithium-based energy storage systems to support grid-scale, commercial, and industrial applications. While exact employee counts are not publicly disclosed in the most recent data, the company has grown significantly since its inception, as evidenced by its expanding project portfolio and industry recognition. ESS Inc. is a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GWH, following a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) in 2021. This public status has allowed the company to access capital markets to fund its growth and technology deployment. With a focus on iron flow battery technology, ESS Inc. aims to address the intermittency challenges of renewable energy sources like solar and wind by offering long-duration storage solutions with a lower environmental footprint compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries [ESS Inc. Website](https://essinc.com). ### Key Products and Technology ESS Inc. specializes in iron flow battery technology, which differentiates itself from conventional lithium-ion systems through its use of abundant, non-toxic materials and long operational lifespan. Below are details of their flagship products and technology: - **Energy Warehouse (EW) - Iron Flow Battery** - **Type**: Long-duration energy storage system - **Technical Specifications**: Capable of delivering up to 8 continuous hours of energy storage (with configurations for 4-12 hours), scalable from 50 kW to multi-MW systems. Recent advancements announced in 2025 include a breakthrough achieving 17-hour storage at a cost of $90/kWh, with 6.7% faster charging capabilities [StockTitan](https://www.stocktitan.net/news/GWH/ess-moves-closer-to-delivering-green-baseload-5a0tbtuulkbl.html). - **Fuel Type or Energy Source**: Utilizes an electrolyte composed of earth-abundant iron, salt, and water, avoiding rare or hazardous materials. - **Key Differentiators**: Non-flammable and non-toxic, ensuring safety; offers a 20+ year operating life with no capacity degradation; lowest levelized cost of storage (LCOS) per kWh among long-duration storage technologies [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/energy-storage-systems). - **Development Stage**: Fully commercialized and operational, with deployments in multiple regions for utility and commercial applications. - **Target Customers**: Utilities, commercial & industrial (C&I) sectors, microgrids, and off-grid applications. - **Energy Center (EC) - Iron Flow Battery System** - **Type**: Utility-scale long-duration energy storage system - **Technical Specifications**: Designed for larger-scale applications with multi-MW capacities and configurable duration (4-12+ hours), tailored for grid-scale renewable integration. - **Fuel Type or Energy Source**: Same iron, salt, and water electrolyte as the Energy Warehouse. - **Key Differentiators**: Modular design for scalability; supports grid reliability and renewable baseload power; environmentally sustainable with recyclable components. - **Development Stage**: Operational, with projects underway for utility-scale deployments. - **Target Customers**: Large utilities, grid operators, and renewable energy project developers. ### Regulatory and Licensing Status As a non-nuclear energy storage company, ESS Inc. does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Instead, its regulatory landscape involves compliance with environmental, safety, and grid interconnection standards at [[Federal|federal]], state, and local levels. The company’s iron flow battery technology is considered safe due to its non-toxic and non-flammable materials, which likely eases regulatory hurdles compared to lithium-ion systems that pose fire risks. ESS Inc. has not faced significant regulatory barriers, and its products are already deployed in commercial projects, indicating compliance with relevant standards such as those set by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for grid storage integration. Recent policy developments in the U.S. and globally, such as incentives for long-duration energy storage under clean energy initiatives, are tailwinds for ESS Inc.’s growth, as noted in industry analyses [Energy-Storage.News](https://www.energy-storage.news/us-non-lithium-energy-storage-startups-ess-inc-eos-foresee-policy-and-load-growth-tailwinds-ahead/). There are no specific upcoming regulatory milestones publicly disclosed, and the timeline for broader commercial deployment continues to align with market demand and partnership agreements, with significant projects already operational as of 2025. ### Team and Leadership ESS Inc. is led by a team with deep expertise in energy storage and renewable energy technologies. Key executives include: - **Eric Dresselhuys - CEO**: With over 25 years of experience in the energy sector, Dresselhuys has held leadership roles at Silver Spring Networks and other energy technology firms, focusing on grid modernization and clean energy solutions. He drives ESS Inc.’s strategic vision for scaling long-duration storage. - **Craig Evans - Founder and President**: A co-founder of ESS Inc., Evans brings technical expertise in flow battery systems and has been instrumental in the development of the company’s iron flow technology. - **Julia Song - Founder and CTO**: As co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Song is a leading expert in electrochemistry and battery technology, overseeing innovation and product development at ESS Inc. Social media handles for these individuals are not publicly verified or widely available in the current data, so they are omitted here. ### Funding and Financial Position ESS Inc. has raised significant capital to support its growth, particularly following its public listing in 2021 via a SPAC merger with ACON S2 Acquisition Corp., which valued the company at approximately $1.07 billion at the time. While exact total funding figures post-2021 are not fully updated in the latest sources, the company has benefited from strategic investments and government incentives for clean energy storage. As a public company (ticker: GWH), ESS Inc.’s recent stock performance and market capitalization can be tracked via financial platforms. As of November 2025, the stock price and related data are available for review but not detailed here due to volatility; interested parties can refer to [Yahoo Finance](https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/GWH/) for the latest figures. Key institutional investors include SoftBank Energy, which committed to purchasing 2 GWh of ESS batteries in a historic deal announced in 2021, signaling strong strategic backing [X Post by Ramez Naam](https://x.com/ramez/status/1443626516508647438). The company is generating revenue through commercial deployments and contracts, though it is still scaling toward broader profitability, as reflected in quarterly financial results reported in 2025 [Energy-Storage.News](https://www.energy-storage.news/us-non-lithium-energy-storage-startups-ess-inc-eos-foresee-policy-and-load-growth-tailwinds-ahead/). ### Recent News and Developments | Date | Event | Details | |---------------|--------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Nov 18, 2025 | Financial Results Update | ESS Inc. released quarterly financial results, highlighting commercialization progress and strategies for scaling [Energy-Storage.News](https://www.energy-storage.news/us-non-lithium-energy-storage-startups-ess-inc-eos-foresee-policy-and-load-growth-tailwinds-ahead/). | | Jun 26, 2025 | Technology Breakthrough | Announced a 17-hour energy storage capability at $90/kWh with faster charging, marking a milestone for green baseload power [StockTitan](https://www.stocktitan.net/news/GWH/ess-moves-closer-to-delivering-green-baseload-5a0tbtuulkbl.html). | | Apr 14, 2025 | Industry Recognition | ESS Tech Inc. recognized as a top long-duration energy storage technology provider by Energy Tech Review Magazine [EnergyTechReview](https://www.energytechreview.com/ess-tech-inc). | | Apr, 2025 | Policy Developments | Industry reports note supportive policies for energy storage in India and globally, benefiting companies like ESS Inc. [Renewable Watch](https://renewablewatch.in/2025/04/14/ess-technologies-recent-advances-and-policy-developments-in-energy-storage/). | | Jan, 2025 | Market Expansion Plans | Continued focus on expanding deployments in the U.S. and international markets for utility and C&I applications (specific date not disclosed in sources). | ### Partnerships and Collaborations - **SoftBank Energy**: In 2021, SoftBank committed to purchasing 2 GWh of ESS iron flow batteries, one of the largest energy storage deals at the time. This partnership provides significant validation and financial backing, supporting ESS Inc.’s scale-up for grid applications [X Post by Ramez Naam](https://x.com/ramez/status/1443626516508647438). - **Utility and C&I Clients**: ESS Inc. has deployed systems with various utilities and commercial entities globally, though specific recent partners in 2025 are not fully detailed in available data. These collaborations focus on integrating renewable energy and ensuring grid stability [ESS Inc. Website](https://essinc.com). - **Government and Policy Support**: While not a direct partnership, ESS Inc. benefits from U.S. federal and state-level incentives for long-duration storage, enhancing its strategic position in clean energy markets [Energy-Storage.News](https://www.energy-storage.news/us-non-lithium-energy-storage-startups-ess-inc-eos-foresee-policy-and-load-growth-tailwinds-ahead/). ### New Hampshire Relevance ESS Inc.’s technology could have significant relevance for [[New Hampshire]], particularly in supporting the state’s clean energy goals and grid reliability needs. New Hampshire is part of the ISO New England (ISO-NE) grid, which faces challenges with renewable integration and peak demand management. ESS Inc.’s long-duration storage solutions, such as the Energy Warehouse and Energy Center, are well-suited to stabilize the grid near infrastructure like [[Seabrook Station]] (a nuclear power plant) by storing excess renewable energy and providing backup power. The technology is already commercially operational, aligning with immediate deployment timelines in New Hampshire. It supports legislative initiatives like HB 710, which may encourage clean energy and storage adoption, though specific mentions of ESS Inc. in NH policies are not documented in current data. Potential applications include grid power support, addressing data center energy demands (a growing sector in the Northeast), and industrial energy needs. While there is no direct evidence of ESS Inc. projects or expressed interest in New Hampshire, the company’s focus on the U.S. market and Northeast renewable integration suggests a strong fit for regional deployment if pursued. ### Competitive Position ESS Inc. operates in the competitive energy storage market, particularly in the long-duration segment, where it faces rivals like: - **[[Eos Energy Enterprises]]**: Specializes in zinc-based battery storage with a focus on safety and cost. Eos has secured significant partnerships in 2025, such as a 5 GWh MoU with Frontier Power in the UK, potentially outpacing ESS Inc. in international expansion [X Post by Eos Energy](https://x.com/PoweredByEos/status/1912123077699182660). ESS Inc.’s advantage lies in its iron flow chemistry’s longer lifespan and environmental sustainability. - **[[Form Energy]]**: Another iron-air battery developer, Form Energy focuses on ultra-long-duration storage (100+ hours). While ESS Inc. offers shorter durations (up to 17 hours), its faster commercialization and lower cost per kWh ($90/kWh) provide a near-term competitive edge. ESS Inc.’s unique advantages include its non-toxic materials and proven deployments, but risks include slower adoption if lithium-ion costs continue to drop or if competitors secure larger contracts. ### Closing Note ESS Inc. is at a mature commercial stage with operational long-duration energy storage solutions, poised for growth amid favorable clean energy policies and increasing demand for sustainable grid technologies. *Report generated December 24, 2025*