Europe’s First GridStar Flow Factory and the Largest in the World

Lockheed Martin and Romania’s Sinteza S.A. have signed a letter of intent to build a GridStar Flow battery factory in Oradea. The GridStar Flow technology, developed by Lockheed Martin, is an innovative solution for clean, zero-carbon energy storage with increased resilience to grid disruptions. The new production facility in Oradea will be the first of its kind in Europe and the largest globally, with production scheduled to start in summer 2026.

“Energy transition is Romania’s chance to have secure, cheaper and greener energy, but also a unique opportunity to revitalize Romanian industry. During my term of almost a year and a half, together with the team from the Ministry of Energy, we managed to attract almost EUR 14 billion, non-reimbursable money, investments that will make Romania a regional leader, thousands of jobs will be created, but perhaps most importantly, the price of energy in Romania will be fair and competitive. I want these funds to be multiplied in the Romanian economy, and for investments to use as much Romanian-made equipment as possible. I am convinced that Romania will become a leader in battery production in Europe, already being one of the few producers in the world. With this project, Romania is attracting a strategic American investor with cutting-edge technology that is in no way dependent on imports of raw materials from outside Western markets, in a field that is growing exponentially globally. Once this investment is completed, our country will have a strategic advantage in the European Union in the development of new renewable energy projects. The Romanian company Sinteza S.A., with the help of Lockheed Martin technology, will play an important role in the development of Romanian supply chains for the development of storage capacities in the region and beyond. Today’s step materializes the letter of intent we signed with Lockheed Martin in Boston earlier this year, when we visited the US battery factory with GridStar Flow technology, invented by the American company,” Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja said.

“I am excited about the prospects of this new partnership in Romania – our first project in the commercial sector and one that helps realize our ‘net zero’ emissions plans in the country,” said Ray Piselli, Vice President of International Business at Lockheed Martin.

“GridStar Flow is a cutting-edge solution for energy security, a key element of any nation’s defense and security needs. Through this new initiative, Romania can become a regional leader in this important area of energy efficiency and energy security,” Lockheed Martin representative added.

The two parties have agreed to build a plant producing the negative electrolyte used in GridStar Flow batteries. The unit represents an investment of €50 million, of which €25 million are non-reimbursable funds from the NRRP. It is also a European first, contributing to the green transition and energy security.

“For Sinteza, this project is a clear way to significantly improve both the technology level and our business model. Moreover, the whole investment is an ethical one, designed to contribute positively to the green energy transition in Europe,” Sinteza CEO Gelu Stan noted.

“The signing of this contract is an important moment for Oradea, demonstrating that the investment environment in our city has reached full maturity, attracting strategic partners such as Lockheed Martin. This investment validates our economic development efforts and will bring significant benefits by creating new jobs and strengthening Oradea’s position as a pole of innovation and technology in Eastern Europe”, mentioned Florin Birta, Mayor of Oradea.

Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company that promotes innovation and scientific discovery. The defense and technology industry leader is known as a supplier of components for the Patriot missile and prime contractor for the F-35 aircraft.

Sinteza S.A. is a Romanian company with more than 100 years of experience in the chemical industry, aiming to transition the business from benzoic acid production to green energy.

 

About GridStar Flow

About GridStar Flow is an innovative redox flow battery solution designed for long-duration, large-capacity energy storage applications. The patented technology is based on the principles of coordination chemistry, offering a new electrochemistry consisting of engineered electrolytes made from earth-abundant materials. These properties enable GridStar Flow to counter anticipated and unforeseen grid disruptions by a robust and flexible long-duration, clean energy storage solution with a competitive total cost of ownership.

 

GridStar Flow applications

• Renewable generation bulk shifting (large amounts of energy for many hours)
• Large-scale transmission & distribution deferral
• Peaking unit replacement (traditionally combustion turbines or internal combustion engines)
• Day-head, real-time and ancillary market optimization
• Multi-day and portfolio optimization
• Resiliency, particularly in microgrids, islands, and military installations.