long duration energy storage

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ESS Tech(GWH) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-08-14 22:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported GAAP revenue of $2.4 million, a 294% increase from the previous year, driven by deliveries of energy warehouses and energy centers [15] - GAAP cost of revenues decreased by 15% compared to the previous year, amounting to $7.5 million [15] - GAAP operating expenses fell by 35% quarter over quarter to $6.4 million, reflecting effective cost reduction efforts [15] - The net loss improved by 50%, and adjusted EBITDA improved nearly 60% compared to the same quarter last year [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company secured its first commercial order for the energy base, an eight megawatt hour project expected to be delivered in 2026 [9] - The cost of revenue decreased by 37% year over year, indicating improved operational efficiency [11] - The company reported a significant reduction in operating cash burn rate, down approximately 80% in June compared to the first quarter average [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted strong interest in long duration energy storage solutions, with 100% of its pipeline now focused on energy base or core component sales [12] - Proposal activity exceeded 1.1 gigawatt hours since the launch of the energy base, highlighting market demand [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on three core priorities: delivering on customer commitments, scaling with discipline, and converting commercial momentum into long-term growth [21] - A strategic pivot has been made to position the company for long-term success, including leadership changes to enhance operational capabilities [13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to capture value as long duration storage becomes a strategic imperative across markets [19] - The company is optimistic about the impact of recent legislation on investment tax credits, which should benefit its domestic manufacturing and supply chain [18] Other Important Information - The company secured up to $31 million in new capital, including a standby equity purchase agreement for up to $25 million [16] - Cash and cash equivalents at the end of July were reported at $7.2 million, a significant improvement from the end of the second quarter [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: What kind of traction is being seen with the energy base proposals? - The company has already converted one proposal into a sale and expects to convert additional proposals into backlog in the second half of the year [26] Question: How should revenue trajectory be expected to change in Q3 and Q4? - The company is not providing guidance on revenue for the latter half of the year but hopes to close contracts that will provide clarity on future revenue [28] Question: How much of the $31 million capital has been secured so far? - The company reported $7.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, including $2 million raised under the standby equity purchase agreement [30] Question: What is the outlook for cash burn into Q3 and Q4? - The company aims to continue reducing cash burn and is focused on right-sizing the business and securing extended payment terms with vendors [32]
ESS Tech(GWH) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-05-15 22:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported GAAP revenue of $600,000 for Q1 2025, with a GAAP cost of revenue of $8,700,000, reflecting the final deliveries of energy centers to a Florida utility [18][6] - Non-GAAP operating expenses for Q1 were $9,400,000, with R&D spending of $2,300,000 focused on cost reduction initiatives and technology improvements [20][21] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 was negative $15,000,000, but the company expects this loss to narrow as production ramps up in 2025 and beyond [20][24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The first quarter revenue was primarily tied to equipment (65%) and site preparation (35%) related to battery systems [6] - The company is pivoting from energy warehouse and energy center products to a more focused strategy on energy-based products, which has already shown early momentum [8][9] - Proposal activity has increased significantly, totaling approximately 1.2 gigawatt hours and $400,000,000 in the last two quarters, with over 70% representing the energy base [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company secured a contract for a 50 megawatt hour pilot project with an Arizona public power utility, indicating strong demand for non-lithium ion longer duration storage technologies [9] - The project will be structured as a power purchase agreement (PPA), allowing the company to maintain ownership and receive revenue over time [10] - The company is experiencing increased inquiries and proposal activity due to the current tariff landscape and the drive for electrification growth [50][51] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on executing its energy-based product launch and gaining commercial momentum, with plans to demonstrate longer duration storage capabilities [6][11] - The strategic shift towards energy-based products aims to address longer duration storage opportunities, with expectations of competitive pricing and performance [8][22] - The company is actively reallocating resources to accelerate progress on energy-based cost reduction and performance initiatives [21] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenging capital markets environment and is aggressively pursuing options to extend the company's runway [16][24] - The company has not yet completed its capital raise but is exploring various financing alternatives to strengthen its balance sheet [25] - Legislative support for domestic battery manufacturing is seen as a positive factor for the company's future prospects [14][16] Other Important Information - The company ended Q1 with $12,800,000 in cash and short-term investments, with a reduced cash burn rate compared to previous quarters [23][24] - The company has a high degree of American-made inputs, with over 98% of components sourced domestically, which positions it favorably amid tariff uncertainties [13] Q&A Session Summary Question: Outlook for Q2 sales and ramp in the second half - Management confirmed that Q2 sales are expected to be similar to Q1, with a potential ramp in the second half contingent on successful capital raising [28] Question: Cash runway and operational support - Management indicated that the current cash runway is supported by lower cash burn rates and ongoing discussions for interim financing solutions [29][32] Question: Details on the Arizona RFP requirements - The RFP required non-lithium solutions, and the company's ability to deliver over 10 hours of storage and operate in various temperatures contributed to its success [34][35] Question: Customer deposits for booked orders - Historical deposit ranges for booked orders are between 5% to 20%, with expectations to push towards the higher end for future contracts [38] Question: Status update on the Australian project - The project is delayed due to government funding not being secured, with no further updates on timing [44] Question: Discussions with strategic partners - Ongoing discussions with strategic partners like Honeywell are productive, and the company is looking to bring in additional investors to diversify its cap table [47][48]
ESS Tech(GWH) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-05-15 22:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported GAAP revenue of $600,000 for Q1 2025, with a cost of revenue of $8,700,000, reflecting the final deliveries of energy centers to a Florida utility [19][20] - Non-GAAP operating expenses for Q1 were $9,400,000, with R&D spending of $2,300,000 focused on cost reduction initiatives and technology improvements [21][22] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 was negative $15,000,000, but the company expects this loss to narrow as production ramps up in 2025 and beyond [21][22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The first quarter revenue was primarily tied to equipment (65%) and site preparation (35%) for battery systems [6] - The company is pivoting from energy warehouse and energy center products to a more focused strategy on energy-based products, which has already shown early momentum [7][8] - Proposal activity has increased significantly, totaling approximately 1.2 gigawatt hours and $400,000,000 in the last two quarters, with over 70% representing the energy base [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company secured a contract for a 50 megawatt hour pilot project with an Arizona public power utility, beating over 10 competitors [8][9] - The project is expected to lead to a significant follow-on RFP opportunity, indicating strong demand for non-lithium ion longer duration storage technologies [9][10] - The company is experiencing increased inquiries and proposal activity due to the growing demand for alternatives to lithium-ion batteries [52][54] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on executing its energy-based product launch and gaining commercial momentum, with plans to demonstrate longer duration storage capabilities [6][11] - Strategic partnerships, particularly with Honeywell, are being leveraged to enhance product development and manufacturing capabilities [12][17] - The company aims to reduce costs and improve product performance to compete effectively with lithium-ion technologies [22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenging capital markets environment and is actively pursuing options to extend the company's cash runway [17][24] - The company is optimistic about the legislative support for domestic battery manufacturing, which could benefit its operations [15][17] - Management expects to transition to EBITDA and cash flow positive in the next few years based on the anticipated ramp of energy-based production and sales [21][22] Other Important Information - The company ended Q1 2025 with $12,800,000 in cash and short-term investments, with a reduced cash burn rate compared to previous quarters [23][24] - The company is exploring various strategic financing alternatives to strengthen its balance sheet and extend its cash runway [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Outlook for Q2 sales and ramp in the second half - Management confirmed that Q2 sales are expected to be similar to Q1, with a ramp in the second half contingent upon successful capital raising [27][28] Question: Cash runway and operational support - Management indicated that the current cash runway is supported by lower cash burn rates and ongoing discussions for interim financing solutions [29][32] Question: Details on the Arizona RFP requirements - The RFP required non-lithium solutions, and the company's ability to deliver over 10 hours of storage and operate in various temperatures contributed to its success [34][35] Question: Customer deposits for booked orders - Historical deposit ranges for booked orders are between 5% to 20%, with expectations to push towards the higher end for future contracts [38] Question: Status of the Australian project - The project is delayed due to government funding not coming through, with no further updates on timing [46] Question: Discussions with strategic partners - Ongoing discussions with Honeywell and other investors are productive, with a focus on strategic capital raising [49][50] Question: Impact of tariffs on customer inquiries - The company has seen a positive increase in inquiries due to tariff impacts and the drive for electrification growth [52][54]