Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. secures 1.5 GWh in U.S. ESS orders, steps up North American push with prismatic batteries

[Financial News] Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. is stepping up its push into the North American market after securing supply orders totaling 1.5 GWh in the U.S. energy storage system (ESS) market. It has scored a string of contract wins by highlighting the safety and technological strengths of prismatic batteries backed by local U.S. production. Analysts say that establishing a non-Chinese supply chain has become a competitive advantage in the North American ESS market, where Chinese batteries are strong.
Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. said on the 26th that its U.S. subsidiary, Samsung SDI America, Inc. (SDIA), had signed a contract to supply 1 GWh of ESS solutions to U.S. energy company Alpha Omega Power (AOP). Including the first contract signed late last year, the total supply volume reaches 1.5 GWh. The value of the latest contract is estimated at several hundred billion won.
AOP plans to deploy the ESS solutions in a large-scale power project that will break ground next year in Texas. The entire volume under this contract will be produced at the StarPlus Energy LLC (SPE) plant in Indiana and supplied by the end of this year.
The product to be supplied is the integrated ESS solution ‘Samsung Battery Box (SBB) 1.7,’ equipped with high-capacity, high-nickel ternary (NCA) batteries. It has the same 20-foot (ft) form factor as the previous SBB 1.5, but its energy density is 17% higher. It also incorporates AI-based early fault-detection and battery-life prediction algorithms.
The company has placed particular emphasis on fire safety. The system addresses key safety requirements, including NFPA 855, the National Fire Protection Association’s standard for ESS installations, and UL 9540, an ESS safety certification. It also uses Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.’s proprietary embedded direct injection (EDI) technology, developed in-house.
Industry observers cite Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.’s prismatic battery technology and U.S. production capacity as the reasons behind its successive contract wins. It is the only non-Chinese company in North America producing prismatic batteries for ESS. Prismatic batteries are considered to have advantages in durability and safety because they use a sturdy outer casing.
Some observers say that as U.S. energy companies prioritize fire safety and supply-chain stability when adopting ESS, Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.’s local production base could open up opportunities for additional orders. The company is currently discussing further supply contracts with multiple local customers.
AOP CEO Paul Choi said, “Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.’s U.S.-made ESS will play an important role in our continued growth. The second contract will also contribute to strengthening the U.S. supply chain that supports next-generation energy infrastructure.”
Fabrice Hudry, vice president and head of the ESS team at Samsung SDI America, Inc., said, “AOP is one of the fastest-growing independent power producers in the United States. With our differentiated technology and local production, we will continue to expand our business base in the North American ESS market and further strengthen our position.”

[email protected] Kim Dong-ho Reporter