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Blue Whale Energy and UNIGRID Partner to Deploy Compact Rooftop BESS for Urban Solar Projects

Blue Whale Energy and UNIGRID, Inc. have announced a strategic partnership to deploy behind-the-meter battery energy storage systems (BESS) for commercial and industrial (C&I) rooftops in dense urban areas. The collaboration will leverage UNIGRID’s fire-safe sodium-ion battery technology to overcome key space and safety barriers that have hindered urban BESS deployment. Blue Whale’s modular battery packs will be installed directly beneath rooftop solar panels—an approach previously unfeasible with conventional lithium-ion systems due to fire hazards and extensive infrastructure requirements.

UNIGRID’s batteries operate across wide temperature ranges without active thermal management, enabling space-constrained installations without the need for complex cooling or safety enclosures. This innovation allows urban rooftops to serve as dispatchable grid assets, directly addressing the mismatch between solar generation and peak energy demand.

An initial rollout of 8 MWh is planned by the end of 2025, with broader expansion across Southeast Asia starting in 2026. The initiative aims to support the creation of a virtual power plant network across the region by integrating distributed solar with compact, fire-safe storage.

Both companies emphasize that this new model opens up significant untapped market potential in urban energy storage, while accelerating energy transition goals in densely populated cities.