TOKYO – SoftBank Corp. has announced a significant partnership with South Korean firms Cosmos Lab and DeltaX Co. to mass-produce next-generation data center batteries in Japan, aiming for an annual output of one gigawatt-hour (GWh) by fiscal year 2027. This initiative, revealed by Techmeme, positions SoftBank to address the escalating electricity demands of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and bolster energy infrastructure.
The collaboration will establish a manufacturing facility at SoftBank's Sakai, Osaka plant, a site previously owned by Sharp. SoftBank Corp. CEO Junichi Miyakawa stated that the company plans to initially utilize these batteries for its own AI data centers, with future expansion into grid applications, industrial, and residential uses both domestically and globally. The venture is projected to generate annual revenues exceeding ¥100 billion (approximately US$637 million) by the end of the decade.
Cosmos Lab will contribute its expertise in zinc-halogen battery cell chemistry, a technology lauded for its enhanced safety. These innovative batteries utilize pure water as an electrolyte, fundamentally eliminating the fire risks associated with conventional lithium-ion batteries. Furthermore, they do not rely on critical raw materials like lithium or cobalt, allowing for local procurement of halogen and zinc within Japan, thereby strengthening the supply chain.
DeltaX Co. will play a crucial role in the design and manufacturing of the energy storage systems, leveraging its Cell Connecting System and Cell to Pack technologies to maximize individual battery cell performance. SoftBank intends to integrate these advanced battery systems with its AI-based energy management solutions for precise power demand forecasting. This strategic move underscores SoftBank's broader vision to transform into a key AI enabler and secure a stable, safe energy supply for its expanding AI infrastructure.
