What Smartville does

Smartville, Inc. is a Carlsbad/San Diego, California-based company founded in 2019 that designs and deploys containerized Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) built around validated second-life electric-vehicle battery packs. The company procures retired EV batteries, conditions and integrates them into a chemistry-agnostic chassis (NCA, NMC, LFP) with an IP54 marine-grade enclosure, hot-swap capable battery racks, and a fire-suppression system, then layers on a proprietary Energy Management System (EMS) that provides cell-level battery monitoring at one-minute cadence, one-Hz pack telemetry, grid-forming or grid-following control, OCPP-aware dispatch, and SCADA/DCIM integration. Its product portfolio comprises three integrated offerings: stationary pad-mount BESS, trailerable Mobile BESS for events, fleet charging, disaster relief, and construction sites, and the EMS software that powers both.

The business model combines hardware sales of containerized and mobile BESS units with ongoing energy storage services such as demand-charge avoidance, frequency and capacity grid services, and backup power. Pricing is quote-based through an engineering intake form rather than publicly tiered, with multi-year contracts typical and savings economics modeled at roughly $0.045/kWh of demand-charge avoidance per the company's impact calculator. Smartville sells directly to enterprise customers via a consultative engineer-to-engineer motion rather than through resellers or distributors. Its primary go-to-market segments are AI data centers (behind-the-meter storage, demand shaving, ride-through, substation deferral), microgrids (campus isolation, black-start, solar/genset integration), and mobile power applications, with a secondary focus on utilities and underserved communities funded through DOE programs.

As of the most recent disclosures, the company operates a fleet of approximately 1.98 MWh across seven sites in California, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, and Colorado, with an additional ~10 MWh in build or planned across New Orleans, South Carolina, New York, Maryland, and AI data center deployments, targeting a combined 11.98 MWh at full build. Smartville has raised approximately $15.9 million in non-dilutive capital, almost entirely from two U.S. Department of Energy grants ($5.9M in March 2023 and $10M in September 2023 / formalized as a five-year OCED project in July 2024), with no disclosed venture capital. The company is led by CEO Antoni Tong alongside co-founder Mike Ferry, CFO Grant Berman, COO Stephanie Aretz, engineering director Bill Von Novak, and director of business development Scott Packard.

Name

Smartville

Legal name

Smartville, Inc.

Website

https://smartville.io

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Smartville is a California-based company founded in 2019 that designs and deploys containerized and mobile Battery Energy Storage Systems built from validated second-life EV batteries, serving AI data centers, microgrid operators, and mobile-power customers with an AI-enabled Energy Management System.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Battery Energy Storage Systems

NAICS

Battery Manufacturing (33591), Switchgear and Switchboard Apparatus Manufacturing (335313)

SIC

Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600), Switchgear & Switchboard Apparatus (3613)

akta.pro primary industry

BESS OEMs (Containerized Systems, Racks, Turnkey Solutions) (EUAFAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Energy Management Systems (EMS), SCADA & Dispatch/Optimization Software for Storage (EUAFAAAF), Utility-Scale BESS EPC & Integration (EUAEAEAA), BESS Operations, Maintenance & Asset Performance Management (APM) (EUAFAAAG), Energy Storage & Microgrid Electrical Infrastructure (BESS, Controls) (IMAFAHAE)

Keywords

• Battery energy storage systems
• Second-life EV batteries
• Grid-forming microgrids
• Mobile battery storage
• Energy management systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Carlsbad

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Hardware Sales: Sale of containerized and mobile BESS units built on validated second-life EV batteries. Units are sold as complete energy storage solutions with integrated EMS and cell-level monitoring. Pricing based on capacity (kWh/MWh).
2. Energy Storage Services: Ongoing energy storage services including demand-charge avoidance, grid services (frequency, capacity), and backup power provision. Revenue generated through energy cost savings and grid service compensation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Smartville designs and deploys containerized Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) built from validated second-life electric-vehicle batteries, packaged into stationary and mobile units. Each unit is paired with a proprietary Energy Management System (EMS) and cell-level battery management that delivers grid-forming and grid-following capability, remote monitoring, and integration with SCADA, DCIM, and OCPP platforms.

Product overview

Smartville offers a unified platform of containerized battery energy storage systems (BESS) built from repurposed second-life EV batteries. The product portfolio consists of three integrated offerings: Stationary BESS (pad-mount containerized systems), Mobile BESS (trailer-mounted portable systems), and the proprietary EMS (Energy Management System) that powers both. The EMS provides the intelligence layer with cell-level monitoring, AI-driven optimization, and grid services capability, while the hardware platforms (stationary and mobile) deliver the physical energy storage. All units accept any EV battery chemistry (NCA, NMC, LFP), ship faster than new BESS alternatives, and cost less due to repurposed battery utilization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Stationary Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Containerized stationary energy storage unit that uses validated second-life EV battery modules with integrated EMS, cell-level BMS, climate control, fire suppression, and grid-forming/grid-following inverters for permanent behind-the-meter and front-of-meter installations.
• Mobile Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Trailer-mounted, transportable BESS built on the same second-life battery platform, intended for temporary power at construction sites, events, emergency response, microgrid bridging, and behind-the-meter peak shaving where permanent installation is not feasible.
• Smartville Energy Management System (EMS) Proprietary software platform that manages dispatch, cell-level state-of-health monitoring, peak shaving, demand response, and bidirectional EV charging, with grid-forming and grid-following modes and integration to SCADA, DCIM, and OCPP systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1.98 MWh operational capacity with 7 sites, +10 MWh in build/planned to reach 11.98 MWh combined fleet
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• UC San Diego DERConnect TestbedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 March 2026Smartville participated in UC San Diego's DERConnect testbed research program funded by California's EPIC program. Brought mobile battery systems to be evaluated under real-world grid conditions, testing power quality, daisy-chaining capabilities, and viability as diesel generator replacement. Collaboration on AI optimization tools for construction site charging scheduling.
• U.S. Department of Energy Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 July 2024Smartville partnered with DOE OCED to receive a $10 million grant for a five-year project repurposing retired EV batteries for energy storage applications. Project aims to improve grid resilience, support EV charging, and promote clean energy technologies across California, South Carolina, Georgia, and Louisiana. Involves HBCU partnerships and educational opportunities for underserved communities.
• U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 September 2023Smartville received a $10 million award from DOE to develop long-duration energy storage projects using repurposed EV batteries in six locations across four states. Project aims to improve energy reliability and affordability for underserved communities with multiple partners including HBCUs and energy companies.
• Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 September 2023HBCUs are partners in Smartville's DOE-funded projects, providing educational opportunities and involvement in second-life EV battery demonstration projects across multiple locations.
• U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2023Smartville received a $5.9 million grant from DOE to develop and commercialize second-life energy storage systems using repurposed EV batteries. Funding supports certification efforts and a California demonstration project using repurposed EV batteries to store solar and wind power. Part of broader $75 million DOE funding for EV battery recycling and reuse.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Powervault: UK-based second-life EV battery storage company focused on behind-the-meter commercial and residential applications. Comparable circular-economy, second-life BESS business model.
• B2U Storage Solutions: US-based second-life EV battery energy storage operator (Sierra Storage facility). Directly comparable business model: large-scale BESS built from repurposed EV batteries with utility and grid-services focus.
• Connected Energy: UK-based second-life EV battery storage provider (E-STOR). Closely aligned with Smartville on repurposing retired EV packs into grid-scale and commercial/industrial BESS.
• Relectrify: Australia- and US-based second-life battery technology company with proprietary cell-level battery management. Overlaps with Smartville on repurposing EV packs and advanced BMS/EMS capabilities.
• Nomad Transportable Power Systems: Provider of trailerable battery energy storage systems for construction, events, EV charging, and emergency power. Direct overlap with Smartville's Mobile BESS product line and use cases.

Broad incumbents

• Fluence Energy: One of the largest grid-scale BESS OEMs/integrators globally (joint venture between Siemens and AES). Represents the entrenched incumbent Smartville must displace in utility-scale and C&I projects.
• Tesla Energy (Megapack): Tesla's utility-scale BESS product, dominant in the AI data center and large utility market that Smartville targets. Sets the price/performance benchmark for behind-the-meter and grid-scale storage.
• Stem Inc: AI-driven energy storage and virtual power plant operator focused on C&I and behind-the-meter customers. Comparable on the AI-powered EMS and demand-charge optimization layer.
• Wartsila Energy Storage: Global BESS integrator with utility-scale grid-forming and microgrid capabilities. Comparable on grid-forming, black-start, and utility microgrid use cases that Smartville targets.

Emerging players

• Energy Vault: Alternative energy storage technology provider (gravity and hybrid BESS) targeting utility-scale and microgrid applications. Comparable customer segments (utilities, data centers, microgrids) but different storage modality.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Smartville