LG Energy Solution is rapidly redirecting its North American battery network toward energy storage systems (ESS) as demand from artificial-intelligence data centers, utilities and power-grid investment rises. Five of the company’s eight regional factories are expected to make ESS batteries by the end of the year, including the recently opened Lansing, Michigan, plant, which is producing lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells for Tesla and utilities while also making nickel-based batteries for Toyota electric vehicles. The shift follows billions of dollars of investment in U.S. electric-vehicle battery capacity that has outpaced EV demand. Benchmark Mineral Intelligence expects North American stationary-battery demand to reach 76 GWh this year and 125 GWh within five years, but says that growth will not fully absorb excess EV-oriented capacity. LG Energy Solution continues to expect EV demand to recover and eventually account for most U.S. passenger vehicles. Existing company plans call for more than 50 GWh of North American LFP capacity by December, while Wood Mackenzie forecasts the U.S. ESS market will reach 499 GWh by 2031.