‘Company wasn’t ready in 2021’: ESS Inc CEO on pivoting away from iron flow batteries to sodium-ion

energy-storage.news Aug 21, 2026

‘Company wasn’t ready in 2021’: ESS Inc CEO on pivoting away from iron flow batteries to sodium-ion

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Aug 21, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

ESS Inc., a SPAC‑listed energy‑storage firm, has struggled to commercialize its iron flow battery technology, leading to a steep decline in share price and a looming going‑concern warning. In January, investment banker Drew Buckley became CEO and announced a strategic pivot to sodium‑ion batteries, citing cost, timeline, and market acceptance challenges with the iron platform. Buckley plans a corporate overhaul, potential merger with an adjacent energy company, and a renewed focus on scalable, profitable deployments.

💡 Why It Matters

· The shift signals a broader industry reevaluation of alternative battery chemistries, underscoring the urgency for viable, cost‑effective long‑duration storage solutions.

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Government Clown Finally Admits Energy Storage Is A Thing That Exists In…

U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum publicly acknowledged the existence of battery energy storage systems (BESS) after a year of denial, during the opening of an LG Energy Solution battery plant in Lansing, Michigan. The facility, slated to produce lithium‑iron‑phosphate cells for grid‑scale storage, is expected to create up to 1,700 jobs. Burgum highlighted domestic battery production as key to reducing foreign dependence and boosting American manufacturing, amid a broader push for renewable integration.

💡 The shift signals a tangible policy pivot toward domestic energy storage, a critical component for reliable renewable grids and electric‑vehicle infrastructure. It also underscores a strategic effort to secure supply chains and create high‑skill jobs in a politically sensitive state.

cleantechnica.com · Aug 22

ICYMI: Enbridge’s Line 5 Has Another Frac Out As Reroute Challenge And…

Enbridge’s Line 5 reroute construction in Marengo, Wisconsin suffered another frac‑out on Tuesday, adding to a 1,900‑gallon spill earlier this summer. The incident occurred at Trout Brook, a tributary that feeds the Bad River Reservation and nearby Copper Falls State Park, raising concerns about contamination of drinking water and wetlands. Environmental groups, including the Sierra Club and the Bad River Band, presented oral arguments before Judge John P. Anderson, accusing the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources of violating state wetland and water protections and neglecting its public‑trust duty. Enbridge countered that the extensive administrative record justified its permits. Parties must file post‑hearing briefs by September 11, after which the judge has 90 days to rule. The outcome will shape future pipeline projects.

💡 Local waterways face immediate chemical threats, and the court’s ruling could set a precedent for tribal and environmental authority over major energy infrastructure.

cleantechnica.com · Aug 22

Heart Aerospace Just Flew The Aviation Transition Investors Should Be Putting Billions…

Heart Aerospace successfully flew its X1 demonstrator for 27 minutes on August 12 from Plattsburgh International Airport, marking the largest battery-electric aircraft flight to date. The 106-foot wingspan plane weighed over 25,000 pounds and drew more than a megawatt at peak power. Unlike speculative eVTOL projects, Heart targets the existing regional aviation market using conventional airports and routes. While the X1 is not the production ES-30 configuration, with certification and industrialization still pending for a 2031 service target, the flight validates a pragmatic decarbonization strategy. It addresses critical uncertainties in battery mass, charging infrastructure, and airline economics for current passenger demand. This approach contrasts sharply with the billions invested in urban air mobility and hydrogen aviation, which face significant infrastructure and commercial viability hurdles. Heart’s progress demonstrates that electrifying established regional routes offers a more credible pathway for aviation transition than inventing new transportation categories, focusing capital on resolving real-world operational challenges rather than speculative engineering feats.

💡 Heart Aerospace proves that electrifying existing regional routes is a more viable decarbonization strategy than speculative urban air mobility. Investors should prioritize resolving infrastructure and certification hurdles for current markets rather than funding unproven transportation categories.

interestingengineering.com · Aug 22

Photos: All-electric tractor with 27 hp motor eliminates engine oil and filter…

GoSun has introduced the Moonrider, an all‑electric tractor aimed at small farms, homesteads and property‑maintenance crews. Powered by a 27‑horsepower electric motor, the vehicle eliminates diesel fuel purchases and offers zero‑emission operation. Its high‑torque electric drivetrain provides instant low‑end power for tasks such as tilling, mowing and hauling over rough terrain, while operating silently and without exhaust. An optional fold‑out solar array can charge the onboard batteries from sunlight, reducing reliance on grid electricity. The simplified design removes the need for oil changes, belt replacements and fuel‑filter swaps, cutting routine maintenance costs. An auxiliary generator port lets the tractor serve as a mobile power source for tools, pumps and emergency equipment.

💡 By removing diesel fuel and maintenance cycles, the Moonrider reshapes cost structures for small‑scale growers and demonstrates a viable, low‑impact alternative for off‑grid agricultural work.

autonews.gasgoo.com · Aug 21

Converging Innovation: New Materials and Advanced Manufacturing Empower the Automotive Industry |…

The automotive industry is undergoing a significant transformation driven by the convergence of new materials and advanced manufacturing technologies. As the push for intelligence and decarbonization accelerates, materials are evolving beyond traditional structural roles to offer lightweighting, high strength, multifunctionality, and sustainability. High-strength steel remains dominant, while carbon fiber composites provide further weight reduction. Crucially, materials are now integrating functional attributes such as conductivity, thermal management, and energy storage, aligning with the rise of new energy vehicles. This shift expands competition beyond mere physical properties to include functionality, manufacturability, and system integration. To manage diverse material requirements and faster iteration cycles, manufacturers are adopting smart manufacturing solutions. Automated lines, advanced forming equipment, and digital technologies are enhancing precision and efficiency. These innovations help reduce material waste and production costs, enabling the industry to meet the complex demands of modern, electrified, and intelligent vehicle production while maintaining rigorous quality control standards.

💡 The shift from passive structural components to active, functional materials fundamentally alters vehicle architecture and supply chain dynamics. Manufacturers must now master complex multi-material integration to survive, turning production flexibility into a critical competitive advantage.

evertiq.com · Aug 21

Messer invests $40M to expand production capacity in Vietnam

German industrial gas supplier Messer announced a $40 million investment to expand its production network in Northern Vietnam. The company will construct a new air separation unit at its Yen Binh site, capable of producing 600 metric tons daily of nitrogen, oxygen, and argon. Additionally, a new nitrogen liquefier with a 300-metric-ton daily capacity will be built at the Song Cong facility. These projects will increase Messer’s total liquid gas capacity in the region by 900 metric tons per day, bringing the overall production capability to 2,000 metric tons daily. The expansion aims to strengthen supply chains for the local electronics and semiconductor industries. The nitrogen liquefier is scheduled to begin operations in mid-2027, followed by the air separation unit by the end of 2027. Messer executives stated that this strategic move reinforces their commitment to long-term growth in Southeast Asia and supports Vietnam’s industrial development. The investment highlights the company’s confidence in the country’s economic potential and its role as a reliable partner for high-growth manufacturing sectors in the region.

💡 This infrastructure upgrade directly addresses the critical need for reliable industrial gas supplies in Vietnam’s rapidly expanding semiconductor sector. By scaling local production, Messer reduces supply chain vulnerabilities for manufacturers dependent on consistent nitrogen and oxygen flows.