XL Batteries Recognized as 2026 BloombergNEF Pioneer and “Most Inspiring Startup” by Data Center World

Awards underscore XL Batteries’ growing momentum advancing safe, low-cost long-duration energy storage for the grid and data centers

MARLBOROUGH, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--XL Batteries, the energy storage company building the lowest-cost, safest and most efficient form of long-duration energy storage (LDES), has been recognized by BloombergNEF as a 2026 BNEF Pioneer and named “Most Inspiring Startup” at the Data Center World Innovation Challenge. The recognition highlights growing momentum behind XL Batteries’ Organic Flow Battery technology and how it can support the power grid and rapidly expanding data center sector.

In April, XL Batteries was selected as a 2026 BNEF Pioneer for its Organic Flow Battery under the Flattening the Duck Curve challenge. BNEF recognized the Organic Flow Battery for its support ability to grid reliability and enable greater deployment of renewable power.

The BNEF Pioneers competition celebrates standout innovations with strong potential to support the energy transition. This year 12 winners were selected from more than 600 applicants. Since its launch in 2010, BNEF Pioneers have collectively raised nearly $20 billion in follow-on funding, underscoring its emphasis on scalability, market traction, and real-world adoption.

Additionally, XL Batteries was named Most Inspiring Startup at the 2026 Data Center World Innovation Challenge. The competition selects honorees that demonstrate exceptional leadership, operational excellence and breakthrough innovation for the future of digital infrastructure.

“Being recognized by both BloombergNEF and Data Center World is a meaningful moment for our team,” said Dr. Thomas Sisto, Co-Founder and CEO of XL Batteries. “These acknowledgments reiterate the critical role of our Organic Flow Battery technology in enabling a more resilient and scalable energy and digital infrastructure future.”

XL Batteries’ Organic Flow Battery leverages proven flow battery architecture and patented organic molecules that are non-toxic, non-flammable and derived from globally abundant feedstocks reducing exposure to supply chain volatility and geopolitical risks. XL Batteries completed its first fully integrated commercial pilot system with Stolthaven Terminals in September 2025, demonstrating safe, reliable, and cost-effective real-world performance of its Organic Flow Battery. XL also announced a multi-year agreement with Prometheus Hyperscale in May 2025 to deploy systems across multiple U.S. data centers, the first deployment of a flow battery at a U.S. data center.

About XL Batteries
Founded by Columbia University scientists, XL Batteries is pioneering the world’s lowest-cost, safest and most efficient long-duration energy storage solution. By combining proven flow battery architecture with a patented organic chemistry, its revolutionary technology meets the unique needs of grid operators, independent power producers, data centers and heavy industry. To learn more, please visit www.xlbatteries.com.