SK On Expands U.S. ESS Push at ACP CLEANPOWER 2026
- Hosts customer event in Houston to strengthen relationships with energy industry partners
- Showcases advanced ESS solution GRIDON Gen 2 for grid-scale storage and AI data center demand
- Highlights commitment to U.S. manufacturing as demand grows for energy and grid resilience
HOUSTON, June 4, 2026 – SK On, a leading global battery manufacturer, announced today that it has strengthened its engagement with U.S. energy storage system (ESS) customers through an event in Houston during CLEANPOWER 2026, the clean energy industry event hosted by the American Clean Power Association.
At the event, SK On reinforced its commitment to leverage its U.S. manufacturing footprint to support America’s growing energy needs.
SK On participated as a sponsor of CLEANPOWER 2026, held June 1-4, and hosted a customer event in downtown Houston near the exhibition venue to strengthen customer relationships and support SK On’s expansion in the U.S. ESS market.
The program brought together about 150 participants from approximately 50 global and U.S. companies, including independent power producers, renewable energy developers, utility companies, ESS integrators, ESS solution providers and financial investors.
At the event, SK On shared its ESS business strategy and product roadmap with customers while discussing potential business opportunities.
The company also showcased products and technologies designed to address growing U.S. ESS demand from grid-scale storage, AI data centers and other large-load applications.
SK On presented its ESS brand, GRIDON, and unveiled its next-generation ESS solution, GRIDON Gen 2.
GRIDON combines “grid” and “on,” reflecting SK On’s ambition to support grid stability and the broader energy transition through ESS solutions. SK On plans to begin U.S. production of its first-generation GRIDON ESS solution later this year.
Building on that foundation, GRIDON Gen 2 is being developed to reflect U.S. market needs and customer requirements, with commercial production targeted for the third quarter of 2027. As the ESS market shifts from conventional DC blocks toward AC blocks integrated with power conversion systems, GRIDON Gen 2 is designed with a flexible architecture that can support both DC block and AC block configurations.
The solution is also designed to increase energy capacity per DC block container by an average of 15 percent, helping customers respond to rising demand for large-scale energy storage.
SK On prioritizes safety from the early stages of product development while delivering tailored solutions to meet customers’ specific needs. GRIDON Gen 2 incorporates advanced safety technologies, including electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), a technology used to assess battery condition, as well as a coolant-based fire suppression system.
SK On’s localized production base is designed to help customers meet U.S. supply chain requirements. The company is also enhancing its customer response capabilities through a dedicated ESS sales organization in the United States.
SK On plans to accelerate its U.S. ESS expansion by leveraging its large-scale manufacturing footprint in the country. The company has established local production capabilities through its U.S. manufacturing network, including SK Battery America, Hyundai SK Battery Manufacturing America and SK On Tennessee.
“The U.S. is a key market where demand is growing for energy expansion and grid stability,” said Daejin Choi, Head of ESS Business at SK On. “We will continue to broaden customer engagement, highlight our product capabilities and fire safety technologies, and strengthen our position in the U.S. ESS market.”
About SK On
SK On is a global leading battery & trading company committed to technological innovation for a better, sustainable future. SK On was launched as an independent company in October 2021 after SK Innovation, South Korea’s largest energy company, decided to split off its battery business unit. SK On merged with SK Trading International in November 2024 followed by SK Enterm in February 2025 in a strategy to secure sustainable growth.
SK On aims to accelerate the green energy transition by leveraging its global production base and R&D capabilities, as well as its manufacturing and quality management know-how.
Headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, SK On has a worldwide presence with battery plants currently operating or in construction across the United States, Europe, and Asia.
For more information, visit: http://eng.sk-on.com/
