US-based energy storage company ESS has introduced Bridge, a modular sodium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS) designed for utilities, data centers, critical infrastructure, and commercial users seeking a safer alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries.

Developed to meet the growing energy demands of AI-driven computing and modern digital infrastructure, Bridge expands ESS's portfolio of U.S.-manufactured, non-lithium energy storage solutions. The launch follows strong market interest in sodium-ion technology, with the company recently reporting more than $1 billion in early-stage customer opportunities after entering the sodium-ion battery market.

Figure 1. Sodium-ion Battery.

Modular Design for Flexible Deployment

Bridge is built around a 1.2 MWh AC battery module housed in a compact 10-foot container. Multiple units can be combined to provide up to 4.8 MWh of energy storage within the footprint of a standard 20-foot battery container. This modular architecture allows customers to expand storage capacity without increasing installation space.

The system integrates sodium-ion battery cells, power conversion equipment, battery management software, cabling, and an advanced energy management platform into a single plug-and-play solution. Designed for quick deployment, Bridge can be installed using a heavy-duty forklift and operates with a simple air-cooling system, eliminating the complexity of liquid cooling. Figure 1 illustrate sodium-ion battery.

A Safer Alternative to Lithium-Ion

Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries, Bridge is engineered to eliminate the risk of thermal runaway, significantly reducing fire hazards while lowering maintenance requirements and operating costs. The system supports charge and discharge durations ranging from one hour to more than 16 hours, depending on deployment needs.

Bridge is also built for demanding environments, operating reliably in temperatures from -40°F to 122°F. With a projected lifespan of 20 years, the system minimizes battery replacement requirements and improves long-term investment value.

According to ESS CEO Drew Buckley, the increasing energy requirements of AI-powered data centers are driving demand for next-generation storage technologies, with sodium-ion batteries offering a safer and more efficient solution for these evolving workloads.

Built for Energy Security and Supply Chain Resilience

ESS says Bridge is manufactured using abundant, widely available materials, reducing reliance on critical minerals commonly used in lithium-ion batteries [1]. This approach strengthens domestic energy storage supply chains while helping customers reduce exposure to supply chain risks associated with Foreign Entities of Concern.

Chief Commercial Officer Randall Selesky noted that energy storage operators are increasingly seeking solutions that improve safety, simplify operations, provide greater flexibility, and support long-term energy security goals.

As electricity demand continues to rise across utilities and AI-powered data centers, ESS believes sodium-ion technology is well positioned to become a reliable, domestically sourced alternative for grid-scale energy storage. With the launch of Bridge, the company aims to accelerate the adoption of safer, scalable, and more sustainable battery systems for the next generation of energy infrastructure.

References

1. https://interestingengineering.com/energy/ess-bridge-sodium-ion-battery-data-centers-utilities

Cite this article:

Keerthana S (2026), US Startup Introduces Scalable Sodium-Ion Energy Storage Solution, AnaTechMaz, pp.437