Samsung SDI supplies prismatic ESS for US power project in 1.5 GWh deal

Second supply deal signed with Alpha Omega Power

Production and delivery set for this year at Indiana factory

New SBB 1.7 boosts energy density by 17%

Samsung SDI's integrated ESS solution, the Samsung Battery Box (SBB) 1.7. [Samsung SDI]

Samsung SDI has signed an additional ESS supply contract with a US energy company, bringing its total committed volume to 1.5 GWh when combined with a deal secured at the end of last year, as the company moves to expand its footprint in the North American ESS market using its local production facility.

Samsung SDI said Monday that its US subsidiary, Samsung SDI America, signed a 1 GWh ESS solution supply agreement with US energy firm Alpha Omega Power.

The deal follows an initial contract signed at the end of last year. Adding the new 1 GWh order to the existing 0.5 GWh commitment brings the total ESS volume to be supplied to Alpha Omega Power to 1.5 GWh.

Alpha Omega Power plans to use the products in a large-scale power project it expects to break ground on in Texas next year.

The product to be delivered is Samsung SDI's integrated ESS solution, the SBB 1.7, which will be manufactured at the StarPlus Energy factory in Indiana and supplied before the end of this year.

StarPlus Energy is a joint venture established in the United States by Samsung SDI and global automaker Stellantis. Samsung SDI is using the facility to expand its supply of not only electric vehicle batteries but also ESS batteries.

The SBB 1.7 is equipped with a prismatic battery using an NCA (nickel-cobalt-aluminum) cathode chemistry. While maintaining the same 20-foot form factor as its predecessor, the SBB 1.5, it achieves 17 percent higher energy density — allowing more energy to be stored within the same footprint.

Battery management capabilities have also been enhanced. The system applies an AI-powered algorithm that detects anomalies in advance and predicts battery lifespan, helping operators identify potential issues early and improve maintenance efficiency.

The SBB 1.7 also incorporates fire safety features, including Samsung SDI's proprietary embedded direct injection technology, which suppresses thermal runaway by spraying a cooling agent directly inside the battery when a fire occurs.

The SBB 1.7 complies with safety standards including NFPA 855, the National Fire Protection Association's installation standard for ESS, and has obtained UL 9540 certification for ESS systems.

Logos of Samsung SDI and US energy firm Alpha Omega Power. [Samsung SDI]

Samsung SDI is positioning itself in the North American market on two strengths: its status as a non-Chinese supplier of prismatic ESS batteries and its local production capacity. Prismatic batteries, which encase cells in a rigid metal housing, are generally regarded as offering advantages in durability and safety.

Samsung SDI has been steadily securing ESS supply contracts with US energy companies this year. In March, it signed a prismatic battery supply agreement for ESS use worth approximately 1.5 trillion won ($1.13 billion).

Samsung SDI is also in supply negotiations with additional customers to meet growing local demand.

Paul Choi, CEO of Alpha Omega Power, said Samsung SDI's US-made ESS "will play an important role in our continued growth," adding that the second contract "will also contribute to strengthening the domestic supply chain that supports next-generation energy infrastructure."

Fabrice Hudry, vice president and head of the ESS team at Samsung SDI America, said Alpha Omega Power is "one of the fastest-growing independent power producers in the United States," and that the company "will continue to expand its business base and strengthen its position in the North American ESS market through differentiated technology and local production."

kwater@heraldcorp.com