In a question-and-answer interview published by ESS News on 4 September 2026, CEO Drew Buckley described how the company plans to pursue two storage technologies. ESS is adding sodium-ion cells to systems for short- and medium-duration uses while retaining iron-flow batteries as a long-duration option. Buckley said the company is placing more emphasis on sodium-ion, which it expects could reach revenue sooner, and will move more selectively with iron-flow commercialization.

He said ESS had identified nearly $1 billion in early-stage opportunities for sodium-ion solutions. A letter of intent announced with Juniper Energy totals 500 MWh and includes an 80-MWh California project with a utility. These are early-stage opportunities and an LOI, not confirmed sales or deliveries. Buckley separately cited $5.6 million in unrestricted cash in the company’s latest quarterly report and about $3.2 million raised in a direct offering earlier in the month.

ESS said it was testing its first Bridge modules, planned to start certification toward year-end and targeted pilot and commercial deliveries in 2027. Those are management timelines, not completed capacity or revenue. The interview shows the company trying to balance a broader technology portfolio with liquidity and capital discipline.