Kwak Hyung-young (left), head of the global marketing strategy division at Samsung SDI, receives an innovation award on behalf of the company at The Smarter E Europe 2025 held in Munich, Germany, on Tuesday. (Samsung SDI)
Kwak Hyung-young (left), head of the global marketing strategy division at Samsung SDI, receives an innovation award on behalf of the company at The Smarter E Europe 2025 held in Munich, Germany, on Tuesday. (Samsung SDI)

Samsung SDI on Wednesday announced its reception of the innovation award at The Smarter E Europe 2025, the region’s largest energy exhibition, making it the only South Korean company to be honored at this year’s event.

The battery maker’s new U8A1 high-power Uninterruptible Power Supply product and thermal propagation prevention technology received the Smarter E Award, which selects companies with the best innovation across five categories: energy storage, e-mobility, solar power, smart energy and distinguished energy projects. At this year's expo, among the 14 products and technologies awarded, Samsung SDI stood out as the only company to win in multiple categories.

The U8A1 delivers emergency power during blackouts or other unexpected incidents at data centers, and stabilizes power quality during demand surges. Per battery rack, it improves power output by over 40 percent compared to existing products, enhancing space efficiency. The product can handle large power demands of artificial intelligence data centers with fewer units, reducing the space required to install the UPS by approximately 33 percent. Its long lifespan also allows data centers to save on operating costs.

The company’s thermal propagation prevention technology prevents fire starting in a specific battery cell from spreading to adjacent cells. Based on its thermal propagation prediction program, it applied the most suitable safety materials between the cells as well as a gas release vent to enable heat to exit the vehicle, effectively preventing battery explosions in electric vehicles.

“It is highly notable that our battery technology received recognition from Europe’s leading energy exhibition,” stated a Samsung SDI official. “We will continue our efforts to target global markets, including Europe, with our innovative technologies.”

In addition to The Smarter E Europe 2025, which runs Wednesday to Friday, Samsung SDI will be showcasing its top innovations at 2025 InterBattery Europe, hosted by the Korea Battery Industry Association, during the same period.

By Byun Hye-jin (hyejin2@heraldcorp.com)