IREM: "XRB Partners with Harvard, Georgia Tech for Next-Gen ESS... Targeting AI Data Center Market"

XRB, an affiliate of IREM (009730), is partnering with domestic and international research institutions—including Harvard University and Georgia Institute of Technology—to develop next-generation energy storage system (ESS) technologies. With the increase in renewable energy adoption and the rising number of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, demand for long-duration ESS is growing. The company plans to accelerate its market strategy by leveraging its proprietary redox flow battery technology.

XRB announced on August 12, 2026, that it is currently participating in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's international industrial technology cooperation project and is carrying out a government-funded research and development (R&D) project titled "Development of Innovative Materials and System Design Technology for the Commercialization of High-Efficiency, High-Stability ESS-oriented Next-Generation Redox Flow Batteries."

This research project brings together XRB, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, Pusan National University, Dankook University, and leading foreign institutions such as Georgia Institute of Technology and Harvard University. Their goal is to advance key materials and system design technologies for next-generation redox flow batteries and secure a foundation for commercialization.

The rapid growth of AI data centers has heightened the importance of ESS for stable power supply and large-scale electricity storage. In addition, as the share of renewable energy sources like solar and wind increases, there is a growing interest in long-duration ESS technologies to address power generation volatility.

XRB is focusing on vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) technology. VRFBs utilize aqueous electrolytes, making them less prone to fire hazards and suitable for repeated charging and discharging cycles over extended periods. Moreover, the storage capacity can be easily expanded by increasing the size of the electrolyte tanks, making VRFBs ideal for large-scale and long-duration ESS applications.

The Korean government is also supporting the development of non-lithium long-duration ESS technologies. Recently, officials have been directly inspecting field sites focused on non-lithium technologies such as vanadium flow batteries, emphasizing the importance of securing and nurturing related technologies and industries.

XRB has developed its own XRB technology that addresses the limitations of existing VRFBs in terms of power output and system efficiency. Official performance tests have verified that this technology achieves a current density three times higher than conventional vanadium batteries, resulting in triple the power output.

Previously, XRB also worked with domestic power generation companies to jointly develop and demonstrate large- and short-duration hybrid ESS based on vanadium batteries, validating its technology for real-world industrial applications.

Through this government project, the company plans to strengthen collaboration with domestic and foreign research institutions and further advance key materials and system technologies for next-generation ESS. In particular, with increasing market demand for ESS solutions that offer both fire safety and long-duration operation, the company expects the commercialization prospects for XRB technology to grow.

An XRB representative stated, "In the current ESS market, not only storage capacity but also fire safety and the ability to operate for long periods have become increasingly important. Through joint research with domestic and international institutions, we aim to secure a core competitive advantage for the future."

IREM is also pursuing synergy expansion between XRB's ESS technologies and its other business divisions. With the order value for facilities from the recently acquired OnePick ENC reaching 9 billion won, the company aims to secure additional business opportunities by linking its equipment business with XRB’s ESS technologies.

A representative of IREM stated, "With the order value for facilities from the recently acquired OnePick ENC reaching 9 billion won, we plan to maximize business synergies and revenue by combining XRB's ESS technologies with our equipment operations."

IREM plans to enhance XRB’s ESS capabilities through next-generation redox flow battery R&D projects that include participation from Harvard University and Georgia Tech, and to target the long-duration ESS market focusing on renewable energy and AI data centers.

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