Three Major Battery Makers Join AI-Based ESS Project for Power Grids... Samsung SDI Accounts for 66% of Supply (Comprehensive)

Samsung SDI Supplies Batteries to Six Operators
LG Energy Solution Secures Largest Operation Volume
SK On Provides LFP ESS Units

The three major domestic battery manufacturers are participating in the government-led energy storage system (ESS) deployment project. Based on the batteries selected by the designated project operators, Samsung SDI accounted for the largest share, supplying 66% of the total capacity. LG Energy Solution and SK On are supplying 22% and 12%, respectively.

Samsung SDI's high-energy prismatic battery is exhibited at 'InterBattery 2026' held at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, last March. Photo by Jin-Hyung Kang

According to industry sources on July 10, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment selected nine operators for the "2026 AI-based Energy Storage System Support Project," including VPP Lab, LG Energy Solution, KEPCO KDN, SK EterNix, HD Hyundai Electric, Gridwiz, Korea East-West Power, and Hyundai Engineering & Construction. This project aims to build ESS units on power distribution lines in areas with concentrated renewable energy generation and to improve power system operation efficiency by managing charging and discharging through artificial intelligence (AI).

Looking at the batteries chosen by the operators, Samsung SDI batteries were selected by six operators, the highest among all. SK On batteries were chosen by two operators, while LG Energy Solution batteries were selected by one operator. In terms of supply capacity, Samsung SDI accounted for 66%, LG Energy Solution for 22%, and SK On for 12%.

Samsung SDI will supply its integrated energy storage product, "SBB (Samsung Battery Box) 1.5." This product is configured as a single unit inside a 20-foot container and includes nickel-cobalt-aluminum (NCA) prismatic battery cells, modules, racks, and safety devices.

LG Energy Solution is participating both as a battery supplier and as a project operator. It has formed a consortium with Shinhan Asset Management and Haetbit Baejeonmang Energy, and will be responsible for the construction and operation of the energy storage system.

SK On will supply lithium iron phosphate (LFP) pouch cell-based energy storage systems to two project operators. The supplied product brand is "GRIDON."

This project is being promoted to reduce output control and grid connection delays in the Honam region, where renewable energy generation is concentrated. The industry views this as an example of the competitive landscape in the domestic ESS market ahead of the third central contract market bid for energy storage systems, scheduled for September.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.