ESS Tech, Inc. (NYSE: GWH) has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Juniper Energy LLC for the deployment of 500 MWh or more of sodium-ion battery energy storage systems, according to a press release from the Wilsonville, Oregon-based company.

The agreement establishes a framework for a long-term partnership across multiple projects. The two companies plan to collaborate on an initial 10 MW / 80 MWh energy storage project in California, targeted for commercial operation in 2027. The project is expected to use ESS's modular sodium-ion AC solution, branded as Bridge, along with an ESS Energy Management System.

Subject to successful project execution and future project development, Juniper Energy has expressed its intent to procure 500 MWh or more of ESS battery energy storage systems by 2032.

"This agreement with Juniper Energy validates ESS's strategy to expand our technology portfolio and bring sodium-ion energy storage to market," said Drew Buckley, CEO of ESS.

"ESS has demonstrated its ability to integrate, deploy, and scale advanced energy storage solutions, giving us confidence in its ability to execute on next-generation sodium-ion technology," said Keith McDaniels, Managing Partner of Juniper Energy.

The LOI is not a binding purchase agreement, and the 500 MWh procurement target remains contingent on project milestones and future development decisions.