LG Energy to expand residential ESS biz with new product

LG Energy Solution Ltd., the world’s second-largest electric vehicle battery manufacturer, is set to launch a new residential energy storage system (ESS) in the US next month to expand its presence in the rapidly growing sector.

The South Korean battery maker on Wednesday unveiled its plan to introduce the LG Energy Solution enblock S, a stackable modular residential ESS based on nickel, cobalt and manganese (NCM) batteries for high energy density.

Customers will have options to stack three, four or five battery module assemblies (BMAs) along with a specialized battery control unit (BCU), according to LG Energy.

The LG Energy Solution enblock S 10 model has three BMAs for an energy capacity of 10.6 kilowatt-hours (kWh), while the enblock S 14 model has four BMAs for 14.1 kWh. The enblock 17 has five BMAs for 17.7 kWh. They all support the parallel connection of two matching units for a maximum output of 14 kilowatts.

To increase their energy capacity, customers only need to make additional module purchases based on their energy consumption patterns, the company said. While using the product at an initial capacity of 10 kWh, consumers can expand the battery capacity, even during its use, by purchasing extra modules.

The enblock S connector is plug-and-play without bolts to fasten, which allows one person to complete the installation in 15 minutes. The product, available in both wall-mounted and standing configurations to meet homeowners’ needs, is suitable for outdoor settings including hills and uneven terrain.

The LG Energy Solution enblock S also passed UL9540A testing, administered by the prominent global safety certifier UL Solutions, formerly Underwriters Laboratories, by meeting rigorous safety standards to ensure the prevention of thermal runaway fires, regardless of whether the system is installed indoors or outdoors.

TARGETS GROWING GLOBAL ESS MARKET

LG Energy plans to introduce enblock S+, which combines the company’s ESS system components such as enblock S and inverters, later this year. That will allow customers to acquire the enblock S battery in conjunction with LG Energy Solution’s new AC-coupled inverter as a bundled solution.

Demand for enblock S+ is expected to be strong in California and other states where solar power systems are highly adopted, according to the company. It also offers the LG Energy Solution Monitor app, which helps customers track their energy consumption and production in real-time.

The company unveiled the enblock brand and lineup at the Electrical Energy Storage Europe 2023, the world’s largest ESS show, in June.

In September, LG Energy announced strategies to expand its US ESS business, including the opening of a large plant in Arizona.

The global ESS market is rapidly growing as governments across the world rush to introduce policies for the eco-friendly sector.

The North American ESS market was expected to surge to 103 gigawatt hours (GWh) by 2030 from 12 GWh last year, according to Wood Mackenzie, a UK-based global research and consulting group for energy, chemicals, renewables, metals and mining.

Write to Hyung-Kyu Kim at khk@hankyung.com
 

Jongwoo Cheon edited this article.