Company Description
ESS Tech, Inc. (NYSE: GWH), also known as ESS or ESS, Inc., is a manufacturer of long-duration energy storage systems (LDES) based on iron flow battery technology. According to the company’s public disclosures, ESS focuses on commercial- and utility-scale energy storage applications and aims to support energy security, reliability and resilience as electricity demand grows. The company states that it was established in 2011 and that its technology uses earth-abundant materials, specifically iron, salt and water, to deliver environmentally safe, long-duration energy storage.
ESS describes itself as a leading manufacturer of long-duration iron flow energy storage solutions. Its systems are designed to provide 10 or more hours of flexible energy capacity for large-scale storage projects. The company emphasizes that its technology is intended to enable customers to meet increasing energy demand without power disruptions and to maximize the value of excess energy. ESS notes that its storage solutions are aimed at project developers, independent power producers, utilities and other large energy users that require reliable, sustainable long-duration storage.
Business focus and technology
Across multiple news releases, ESS highlights its focus on iron flow battery technology for long-duration storage. The company states that its systems are non-flammable, use earth-abundant inputs, and are designed to be environmentally safe. ESS reports that its technology can provide more than 10 hours of discharge, and in one technical update it cites demonstration results of 12.2 hours of duration at rated power and 17.8 hours at reduced power, along with higher round-trip efficiency and cycling durability. ESS links these technical milestones to a broader effort to improve energy capacity and reduce material costs.
ESS has publicly described a strategic pivot toward a specific platform called Energy Base, which it characterizes as its proprietary long-duration, non-flammable iron flow battery platform. Company communications state that Energy Base is designed for 10+ hour applications and that ESS is aligning its commercial and operational plans around this product. ESS has reported that it has closed its first Energy Base sale, is contracting for additional Energy Base projects, and has submitted proposals totaling over 1.1 GWh following the platform’s launch.
Markets and applications
In its "About" sections and news releases, ESS explains that its long-duration storage solutions are intended for commercial and utility-scale projects. The company notes that its technology is used to support grid reliability and resilience and to help deliver more hours of clean energy. ESS references use cases such as supporting utilities’ sustainability and reliability goals and meeting increasing energy demand without power disruptions. It also indicates that its technology is relevant for the digital infrastructure sector, where long-duration storage can support a resilient, decarbonized grid.
ESS has disclosed specific project activity that illustrates these applications. For example, the company announced a 50 MWh Energy Base pilot project with Salt River Project (SRP), a public power utility in Arizona, to be installed at SRP’s Copper Crossing Energy and Research Center. ESS states that this project will use its Energy Base technology and is part of SRP’s effort to evaluate non-lithium long-duration storage technologies. ESS has also reported securing an 8 MWh Energy Base order consistent with its shift to a 10+ hour product.
Manufacturing and sourcing
ESS communications describe a Made in the USA manufacturing model for its Energy Base platform, with the company stating that its products are manufactured in the United States and that a high percentage of components are domestically sourced. ESS links this approach to navigating trade policy and tariff environments and to customer interest in domestically manufactured long-duration storage solutions. The company also notes that its products are designed to operate in a wide range of temperature environments and that they do not carry a risk of thermal runaway, according to its public statements.
Corporate strategy and capital
ESS has described a period of strategic reset and strategic shift focused on the Energy Base platform, operational efficiency and capital discipline. In its quarterly results and transaction announcements, the company discusses securing new capital through a combination of financing arrangements, including a promissory note with an investment fund managed by Yorkville Advisors Global, a Standby Equity Purchase Agreement, and other insider-led funding measures. ESS has also disclosed an at-the-market (ATM) equity program under a Sales Agreement with multiple agents, with proceeds intended in part to satisfy obligations under the promissory note and for working capital and general corporate purposes.
In addition, ESS reports that it has taken steps to reduce operating expenses and cash burn while maintaining readiness to deliver its Energy Base platform. The company’s public statements link these operational changes and capital measures to its goal of supporting manufacturing readiness, executing key projects, and preparing for broader commercialization.
Leadership and governance
ESS is a publicly traded company and files reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Its proxy materials and Form 8-K filings describe its board of directors, annual meeting processes and executive leadership changes. In a Form 8-K dated January 6, 2026, the company reported that Drew Buckley, previously Head of Capital Markets Strategy, was appointed as Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2026. The same filing notes that Kelly Goodman, who had served as Interim Chief Executive Officer, was appointed Chief Strategy Officer and General Counsel, and that Kate Suhadolnik, previously Interim Chief Financial Officer, was appointed permanent Chief Financial Officer, also effective January 1, 2026.
Earlier filings report the appointment of Jigish Trivedi as Chief Operating Officer and principal operating officer, with responsibilities related to operations and global supply chain. ESS’s definitive proxy statement describes its board committees, corporate governance guidelines and the use of virtual annual meetings. The company’s disclosures also reference a reverse stock split of its common stock at a ratio of 1-for-15 that became effective in August 2024, as reported in its proxy materials.
Location and listing
ESS Tech, Inc. is incorporated in Delaware and, according to its SEC filings, maintains its principal executive offices in Wilsonville, Oregon. The company’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GWH. As a NYSE-listed issuer, ESS is subject to the exchange’s listing standards and SEC reporting requirements, and it uses proxy statements, Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K to provide information to stockholders and the market.
Investor considerations
Investors researching ESS Tech, Inc. (GWH) can use the company’s public statements to understand its focus on long-duration iron flow energy storage, its Energy Base platform, and its stated mission to accelerate decarbonization through safe and sustainable storage technology. The company’s SEC filings provide additional detail on its capital structure, financing arrangements, governance, and risk factors, while its news releases highlight project announcements, technical milestones and leadership updates. Together, these sources offer context for how ESS positions itself within the long-duration energy storage segment for commercial and utility-scale applications.