Briefs: Batteries Dominate Strategies for Energy Solutions

Batteries are crucial to many electrification efforts, including transportation, power generation, renewable energy, and microgrids. To meet these needs, companies are expanding their battery assets on multiple levels.

In Texas, ACT-ion Battery Technologies is ramping up production of cathode active materials at a new pilot plant. Samsung SDI has partnered with Alpha Omega Power to build battery energy storage system units for grid-scale needs. In France, BW ESS purchased two standalone battery energy storage projects from Recurrent Energy.

In other moves, Onsemi has acquired a power semiconductor company, Ferric, and Skyworth Solar has created a smart microgrid brand called Solavita.

Battery storage, renewable energy, and related technologies.

ACT-ion Battery Opens Cathode Pilot Plant in Texas

ACT-ion Battery Technologies, Inc. has opened what it says is the largest domestic production facility of phosphate-based cathode active materials (CAM) in the U.S. The plant in Carrollton, Texas, boosts the company's annual production by ten times to 20 tons.

The facility uses its proprietary ACT-ivate platform to synthesize materials through continuous processing. The system eliminates hazardous byproducts, uses less water, and requires less energy than standard techniques.

The ACT-ion plant in Texas. Image used courtesy of ACT-ion Battery Technologies

The ACT-ivate platform can be used for other battery chemistries, including lithium iron phosphate, nickel-cobalt-manganese, lithium manganese iron phosphate, and sodium-ion formulations.

Cathode powder represents up to 50% of battery cell production expenses. Foreign suppliers manufactured around 85% of CAM in electric vehicle batteries in 2025.

Samsung SDI Makes 1 GWh BESS Supply Deal with Alpha Omega Power

Samsung SDI has signed a 1 GWh battery energy storage system supply contract with power producer Alpha Omega Power. The deal expands total battery supply between the firms to 1.5 GWh, targeting power grid demands and utility-scale installations.

Samsung will deliver its Battery Box 1.7 platform by year-end. Indiana-based StarPlus Energy, in a joint venture with Stellantis, will produce all cells and modules for the order.

The SBB 1.7. Image used courtesy of Samsung SDI

The enclosure uses nickel cobalt aluminum chemistry to yield 17% higher energy density than its 1.5 platform within the same 20-foot footprint. The hardware integrates automated algorithms to spot cell anomalies, predict battery life, and support 25 years of continuous service.

Safety systems feature proprietary Enhanced Direct Injection mechanisms that shoot fire suppressants straight into distinct battery modules. The containerized design holds safety certifications for UL 9540 standards and NFPA 855 installation rules.

Alpha Omega Power plans to install the units across projects in the ERCOT and WECC power grids. Construction on these utility-scale storage sites will begin next year.

BW ESS Acquires 800 MWh Battery Storage Portfolio

Recurrent Energy, a subsidiary of Canadian Solar Inc., finalized the sale of two standalone battery energy storage system projects in France to BW ESS. The 200 MW/800 MWh portfolio will balance grid supply and demand while easing renewable energy integration into the French national power grid.

The transaction covers the Baixas facility in Pyrénées-Orientales and the Coquainvilliers installation in Calvados. Each installation supplies 100 MW of power and 400 MWh of storage capacity.

Both standalone facilities connect directly at the transmission level in zones projected to experience minimal network constraints. Four hours of energy capacity per site will allow the assets to supply sustained reserves and balance weather-driven shifts in electricity demand.

Battery energy storage units. Image used courtesy of Recurrent Energy

Recurrent Energy secured the land, managed permits, progressed grid interconnections, and ran stakeholder relations. The developer will finalize all remaining pre-construction requirements.

BW ESS will take charge of asset buildout and commercial commissioning once ready-to-build status is achieved. The global energy storage firm will retain long-term operational ownership of both facilities as its inaugural French portfolio.

Onsemi To Acquire Ferric for AI Processor Power Delivery

Onsemi will acquire power semiconductor company Ferric for $600 million in cash at closing, plus up to $175 million in milestone payments. The purchase expands power delivery technology for next-generation AI processors and boosts computational efficiency.

The deal adds integrated voltage regulator technology (IVT) to onsemi’s portfolio. IVT tech integrates power controllers, field-effect transistors, inductors, and capacitors into a single package, cutting board area by 50% to 70%. It also increases power density and transient response for advanced computing systems.

Integrated voltage regulators. Image used courtesy of Ferric

Onsemi raised its 2030 AI data center revenue target by $500 million to exceed $3 billion following the buyout. The transaction will use cash on hand and is set to close by the end of 2026.

Skyworth Solar Launches Smart Microgrid Brand

Skyworth Solar has launched Solavita, a dedicated brand for smart microgrid hardware and software services. The portfolio covers four distinct scales of energy use:

• SolaHome pairs rooftop solar, battery banks, and dynamic household loads through home energy management controls.
• SolaBiz targets commercial spaces with distributed solar and batteries to shave peak utility costs.
• SolaMatrix provides containerized energy storage built for grid-scale stability in weak network zones.
• SolaGo offers plug-and-play balcony modules and portable batteries for outdoor power and emergency backup. A home installation in Jesteburg, Germany, paired 18.9 kW of solar panels with 20.48 kWh of storage.

A hybrid microgrid in China. Image used courtesy of Skyworth Solar

Academic partners Tianjin University and Hainan University support research and product engineering. A test facility in Haikou will validate islanded and grid-tied systems by late 2026.