Samsung SDI Co. introduces its energy storage systems (ESS) at ees Europe 2019, the world’s largest ESS exhibition held in Munich, Germany on May 16, 2019. (image: Samsung SDI)
SEOUL, May 16 (Korea Bizwire) — Samsung SDI Co. said Thursday it launched high-capacity energy storage systems (ESS) to expand its presence in the global market amid weak domestic demand over safety issues.
The battery-making unit of Samsung Electronics Co. said it showcased its latest ESS technologies at ees Europe 2019, the world’s largest ESS exhibition, held in Munich, Germany.
Samsung SDI exhibited its new ESS product E3 with improved energy density, which can be widely used to supplement uneven energy production of renewable energy and store cheap, off-peak electricity for peak hours at commercial facilities.
It also demonstrated safety design capability by meeting ESS fire-resistance test standards from Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a global safety certification company.
The global ESS market is expected to grow by 31 percent per year from 11.8 gigawatt hours last year to 77.6 gigawatt hours in 2025, according to data by market researcher SNE Research.
Samsung has stepped up its overseas marketing for its ESS to meet growing demand in line with renewable energy initiatives in many countries, also looking to offset thin orders in the domestic market.
The firm’s operating income tumbled 52.2 percent on-quarter to 130 billion won (US$112 million) in the first quarter due to poor ESS business.
A civilian-government committee has been carrying out an investigation into a series of fires that broke out in ESS equipment from local producers, including Samsung SDI and LG Chem. The 21 accidents occurred from August 2017 through January this year.
The prolonged investigation has made a big dent in the bottom lines of local ESS makers as they failed to win new orders. The government has called on companies to suspend ESS operations until the outcome is released, bringing domestic sales to a virtual halt.
(Yonhap)
