Element Energy develops advanced battery management solutions that improve the safety, performance, and lifespan of large-format battery systems. Founded in 2019 in Menlo Park, California, the company specializes in creating adaptive Battery Management Systems (BMS) that monitor and control battery packs in real-time. Their technology extends battery lifetimes by up to 50% while increasing energy throughput by the same margin. The company’s solutions serve both first-life applications in electric vehicles and second-life applications in grid-scale energy storage, contributing significantly to the sustainable energy transition.
Battery Technology
Element Energy’s proprietary Adaptive BMS architecture represents a significant advancement in battery management technology. The system continuously monitors individual battery cells, detecting and responding to potential issues up to 100 times faster than traditional systems. This enhanced response time significantly reduces the risk of thermal events and extends battery life through precise cell-level management.
The technology includes sophisticated algorithms that independently manage each cell’s operation, reducing wear and maximizing energy utilization. This approach is particularly effective as battery cells age at different rates, allowing the system to optimize performance across the entire battery pack. For second-life applications, Element Energy’s BMS enables the efficient repurposing of electric vehicle batteries for grid storage, maintaining approximately 80% of their original capacity.
The company’s hardware and software integration provides comprehensive diagnostic capabilities and predictive maintenance features, ensuring optimal battery performance throughout its lifecycle. This technology has demonstrated particular success in utility-scale energy storage projects, where reliability and efficiency are essential.
Recent Projects
In May 2024, Element Energy commissioned a groundbreaking 53 MWh second-life battery energy storage facility in West Texas. This installation, utilizing 900 repurposed EV batteries, represents the world’s largest second-life battery project. The company also established a strategic partnership with LG Energy Solution Vertech to deliver turnkey energy storage systems. These developments showcase Element Energy’s ability to implement large-scale battery solutions while promoting sustainable practices in energy storage.
Investors
Element Energy secured $111 million in funding in November 2023, comprising a $73 million Series B equity investment and a $38 million debt facility. The funding round was co-led by Cohort Ventures and a major U.S. clean energy generation company. Notable investors include Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Drive Catalyst, FM Capital, AFW Partners, LG Technology Ventures, Edison International, Prelude Ventures, and Radar Partners. Keyframe Capital Partners provided the debt facility.
Business Details
Location: Menlo Park, California, USA
Additional Office: Sungnam-si, Gyunggi-do, South Korea
Website: https://elementenergy.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/29295618
