Samsung SDI Secures 66% of First 'AI Power Grid ESS' Project; LG Energy Solution Selected as Operator

It has been revealed that six out of the nine companies selected for the government's 'Next-Generation AI Power Grid' project, aimed at expanding power infrastructure in the Honam region, have chosen to use battery cells from Samsung SDI.

According to industry sources on July 10, nine companies were selected as operators for the '2026 AI-Utilized ESS Construction Support Project' organized by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment: VPP Lab, LG Energy Solution, KEPCO KDN, SK Eternix, HD Hyundai Electric, Gridwiz, Korea East-West Power, Korea East-West Power, and Hyundai E&C.

Among the nine, six companies selected Samsung SDI battery cells, the highest number, while one and two companies opted for battery cells from LG Energy Solution and SK On, respectively.

In terms of capacity, the volume secured by companies partnering with Samsung SDI accounted for 66% of the total.

The volumes for companies partnering with LG Energy Solution and SK On were 22% and 12%, respectively.

The 'AI-Utilized ESS Construction Support Project' is a government initiative that supports the installation of Energy Storage Systems (ESS) on power lines transmitting electricity generated from renewable energy, and the efficient operation of these systems through AI.

Samsung SDI plans to supply its integrated ESS solution, 'SBB (Samsung Battery Box) 1.5,' for this project.

SBB 1.5 is an all-in-one product that includes high-nickel NCA (nickel, cobalt, aluminum) prismatic battery cells, as well as modules, racks, and safety devices, all installed within a 20-foot container. It can be used immediately upon connection to the power grid.

LG Energy Solution participated in the project bid by forming the 'Sunshine Power Grid Energy' consortium with Shinhan Asset Management.

By being selected as a final operator, the company is being evaluated as having achieved success not just as a battery supplier, but as a VPP (Virtual Power Plant) operator utilizing ESS.

In particular, it secured a total of 140MWh across seven distribution lines, which is the maximum volume a single operator could secure out of the 32 total distribution lines.

LG Energy Solution will enhance renewable energy acceptance and power grid stability by applying advanced AI prediction algorithms and VPP platform technology.

Furthermore, it will be able to accommodate an additional 52.4GWh of renewable energy annually by newly connecting 40MW of solar power generation facilities in the region that are currently waiting for grid access.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.