QuantumScape Announces QS PowerBlock for In-Rack Energy Storage in AI Data Centers
SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- QuantumScape Corporation (NASDAQ: QS), a global leader in solid-state lithium-metal battery technology, today introduced the QS PowerBlock for AI data centers. The modular system can deliver four times the power density and five times the runtime of current data center industry standards.
The QS PowerBlock brings QS solid-state lithium-metal battery technology into AI data centers, supporting safer, higher-performing energy storage and 800VDC architecture. An adaptable reference design, QS PowerBlock can fit a variety of module, shelf, and rack formats, and is designed for deployment in industry-standard power rack configurations. Paired with advanced power system components, it can provide AI data center customers with a compelling combination of power, runtime, and safety to power the 1 MW racks of next-generation data centers.
In a demonstration using an expected data center training workload, the QS PowerBlock exceeded key specifications set by the Open Compute Project (OCP), the industry consortium that defines open hardware standards for data centers:
- 4x the power density, allowing power-hungry AI systems to integrate into compact and cost-effective data center designs.
- 5x longer runtime, giving data center operators more margin to smooth out power fluctuations and improve hardware productivity.
- Better safety compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries, helping protect billion-dollar infrastructure investments. QS battery cells have demonstrated thermal stability well over 300 °C in third-party and customer safety testing, compared to conventional lithium-ion cells, which typically go into catastrophic thermal runaway at ~180 °C.
“QS solid-state battery technology offers an unmatched combination of energy, power, and safety for many different applications, from electric vehicles to AI data centers and beyond,” said Dr. Siva Sivaram, CEO and president of QS. “With the QS PowerBlock, we are bringing this value proposition to AI data center customers, to enable the 800VDC designs that will power the next phase of AI growth.”
The QS PowerBlock design will be on display at the 2026 OCP Global Summit, October 12–15 at the San Jose Convention Center, at booth C19, hosted by Megmeet, an official partner and power system component provider for the NVIDIA MGX™ Ecosystem.
QS also announced that it has joined the OCP as a member. As AI workloads push data centers toward unprecedented power density, QS is joining industry leaders to build the open standards that infrastructure providers depend on.
The QS PowerBlock performance results were achieved through prototype testing and modeled system configurations under controlled conditions, with comparisons benchmarked against the OCP Open Rack V3 (ORV3) specification. Final QS PowerBlock performance will depend on product design, system configuration and real-world operating conditions.
About QuantumScape Corporation
QuantumScape is on a mission to revolutionize energy storage to enable a sustainable future. The company’s next-generation solid-state lithium-metal battery technology is designed to enable greater energy density, faster charging and enhanced safety to support the transition away from legacy energy sources toward a lower carbon future. For more information, visit www.quantumscape.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information in this press release may be considered “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including, without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated performance, capabilities and benefits of the QS PowerBlock reference design, its potential deployment in AI data center applications, the commercialization and scaling of its solid-state lithium-metal battery technology, and the application of its technology to AI data centers, automotive and other markets. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations, assumptions, hopes, beliefs, intentions and strategies regarding future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur and actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements due to various risks, including the successful development and commercialization of our solid-state battery technology, the ability to achieve in commercial products the performance demonstrated in prototype testing and modeled system configurations, dependence on third-party power system components and partners, achieving technical and financial milestones, building out of high-volume processes and otherwise scaling production, achieving the performance, quality, consistency, reliability, safety, cost and throughput required for commercial production and sale, changes in economic and financial conditions, market demand for EVs, AI data centers and other energy storage applications, retaining key personnel, competition, regulatory changes, broader economic conditions, and other factors, including those discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report and Quarterly Reports and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, the company disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements.
Contacts:
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A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a52ddd94-f33b-46e1-af41-896054744524
