South 8 Technologies Secures PowerForward Grant to Scale Advanced Battery Manufacturing in San Diego
South 8 Technologies, a California-based developer of advanced battery technologies, has announced the execution of a major funding agreement under the PowerForward Battery Manufacturing Grant Program. The initiative is administered by CALSTART with support from New Energy Nexus and the UC Berkeley Labor Center, and is funded by the California Energy Commission. The grant represents a significant milestone for South 8 as it accelerates plans to expand advanced battery manufacturing capabilities at its headquarters in San Diego, strengthening domestic battery supply chains and supporting the broader transition to zero-emission transportation.
The PowerForward program is a market-accelerating initiative designed to bolster battery manufacturing within California while supporting the state’s ambitious clean transportation goals. With a total funding pool of approximately $67 million, the program seeks to attract and retain companies involved in the manufacturing of batteries used in zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). Beyond strengthening manufacturing capacity, the program also aims to generate high-quality jobs, foster economic development in local communities, and reinforce California’s leadership in clean energy and advanced mobility technologies.
For South 8, the grant provides an important opportunity to scale the commercialization of its proprietary battery technology platform known as LiGas®. This innovative electrolyte system uses liquefied gas rather than the traditional liquid electrolytes found in conventional lithium-ion batteries. The LiGas technology represents a significant departure from standard battery chemistries and addresses several of the limitations that have historically constrained battery performance in extreme conditions.
Electrolytes are a critical component of any battery system, as they enable the movement of ions between the cathode and anode during charging and discharging. Traditional lithium-ion batteries typically rely on liquid organic electrolytes, which can pose safety risks, particularly in cases of overheating or physical damage. South 8’s liquefied gas electrolyte platform has been designed to mitigate many of these concerns while simultaneously enhancing battery performance across a wide range of operating conditions.
One of the most notable advantages of the LiGas platform is its enhanced safety profile. The technology reduces the risk of thermal runaway and other failure mechanisms that can occur in conventional battery systems. This improved safety makes LiGas batteries particularly attractive for applications in industries where reliability is paramount, including aerospace, defense, and electric mobility.
Another major advantage of LiGas batteries is their industry-leading performance at low temperatures. Conventional lithium-ion batteries often experience severe capacity loss or reduced charging capability in cold environments. These limitations present significant challenges for electric vehicles and other battery-powered systems operating in regions with harsh winter conditions. South 8’s liquefied gas electrolyte technology enables batteries to function reliably across an exceptionally wide temperature range, maintaining performance even in extreme cold.
In addition to cold-weather performance, the LiGas system offers fast-charging capability and extended cycle life. These characteristics are increasingly important as global demand for electric vehicles continues to rise. Faster charging helps address consumer concerns about charging times, while longer battery lifespans reduce total ownership costs and environmental impacts associated with battery replacement.
Beyond technical performance, South 8’s technology also supports the development of a more resilient and domestically controlled battery supply chain. One of the challenges facing the battery industry today is its heavy reliance on international supply networks for critical materials and components. The gases used in the LiGas electrolyte, however, are produced domestically in the United States at large industrial scale and are readily available. This enables the creation of a fully domestic electrolyte supply chain and reduces exposure to geopolitical risks and foreign supply disruptions.
Under the newly executed PowerForward grant agreement, South 8 plans to significantly expand its manufacturing operations in San Diego. The expansion will focus on scaling production of LiGas electrolytes to an annual capacity of approximately 100 megawatt-hours while simultaneously increasing lithium-ion cell production to about 2 megawatt-hours per year.
These new manufacturing capabilities will support the company’s growing customer base across several high-technology sectors. South 8’s battery cells are expected to be supplied to clients in the defense, aerospace, and mobility industries—sectors where reliability, durability, and performance under extreme conditions are particularly critical.
The expanded facility will also play a key role in supporting partnerships with major automotive manufacturers. As global automakers accelerate their transition toward electric vehicles, they are actively evaluating next-generation battery technologies that can deliver improved safety, higher performance, and better durability. South 8’s battery cells will be used by automotive companies for development and qualification programs, allowing manufacturers to assess the capabilities of LiGas technology in future electric vehicle platforms.
For South 8’s leadership team, the PowerForward grant marks an important step forward in bringing their innovative technology closer to large-scale commercialization. Company executives view the expansion as an opportunity not only to grow production capacity but also to strengthen the domestic battery ecosystem.
“We’re excited to scale production of our advanced LiGas electrolyte and high-performance, resilient battery cells,” said Jungwoo Lee, CEO of South 8 Technologies. “Expanding our San Diego operations is a critical step in strengthening the domestic battery supply chain in support of our customers in defense, aerospace, and zero-emission vehicle deployment.”
The PowerForward program was designed with precisely this type of technological advancement and industrial growth in mind. According to program administrators, supporting companies like South 8 helps California maintain its position at the forefront of clean energy innovation while simultaneously delivering economic benefits to local communities.
Phoebe Bisnoff, Deputy Director of Battery Manufacturing at CALSTART, highlighted the broader significance of the project. She explained that the PowerForward initiative is intended to expand battery production capacity within the state while creating skilled manufacturing jobs and supporting the transition to cleaner transportation systems.
“PowerForward was created to scale battery production in California while delivering skilled jobs and economic benefits to local populations in support of the state’s zero-emission transportation goals,” Bisnoff said. “South 8’s innovative project in San Diego reflects the program’s goals of building a robust domestic supply chain, strengthening in-state battery manufacturing, and advancing technologies that support zero-emission transportation. We’re proud to support their work.”
The selection of South 8 for PowerForward funding followed a competitive evaluation process. The grant solicitation was officially released on April 5, 2024, inviting battery manufacturers and technology developers to submit proposals that could help expand domestic battery production capacity. Applicants were assessed based on several criteria, including the technical merit of their projects, manufacturing readiness, potential economic impact, and alignment with California’s broader ZEV and workforce development objectives.
After a thorough review process, CALSTART issued a Notice of Proposed Awards identifying projects recommended for funding. South 8’s proposal stood out due to its innovative technology platform, its readiness for scaling manufacturing operations, and its potential to contribute meaningfully to California’s clean transportation ecosystem.
The project also reflects the company’s continued commitment to maintaining its manufacturing presence within California. While many technology companies choose to move production facilities to other regions or countries, South 8 has emphasized the importance of building and scaling its operations within the state.
By expanding its San Diego headquarters, the company is expected to create new high-skilled manufacturing and engineering jobs while strengthening local economic activity. These workforce opportunities are an important component of the PowerForward program’s mission, which emphasizes equitable economic growth alongside technological innovation.
Looking ahead, South 8 plans to continue advancing the development and commercialization of its LiGas battery technology. As demand for high-performance batteries grows across industries—from electric vehicles and aircraft to defense systems and robotics—the company believes its liquefied gas electrolyte platform can help address some of the most pressing challenges in energy storage.
With support from the PowerForward program and its partners at CALSTART, New Energy Nexus, the UC Berkeley Labor Center, and the California Energy Commission, South 8 is now positioned to accelerate its manufacturing scale-up and bring next-generation battery solutions to market more quickly.
Ultimately, the expansion of South 8’s San Diego operations highlights the growing momentum behind domestic battery manufacturing in the United States. As governments, industries, and technology innovators work together to advance clean energy and transportation solutions, initiatives like the PowerForward grant program are playing a critical role in supporting the infrastructure and innovation needed to power the future of mobility.
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