This story was updated to reflect a caption correction and an incorrect reference to SunPower.
In the shadows of Richmond’s historic World War II buildings, an effort to reinvigorate California’s clean energy future is taking shape.
Viridi, an energy storage company based in Buffalo, New York, is ramping up its plant in the former Ford Manufacturing factory, not far from where more 700 ships were built at the Kaiser shipyards.
The 500,000-square-foot Ford plant manufactured automobiles in the 1930s and then military vehicles such as tanks and armored cars during the 1940s before closing in 1956.
The refurbished complex is now home to several light industrial companies that operate in the building’s spacious interior.
In April, Viridi took over the 40,000-square-foot space that once served as the headquarters for global solar panel manufacturer SunPower. It had been occupied by Moxion, a battery maker that filed for bankruptcy in August 2024 and was acquired by Viridi.
For the past two months, the Viridi team of about a dozen employees has been upgrading its battery energy storage systems (BESS) to meet safety standards.
Most of its focus is Viridi batteries owned by Sunbelt Rentals, an equipment rental company that uses large batteries to power equipment in the field.
Sean Macias, the site supervisor at Viridi’s Richmond plant, said his work crew will eventually upgrade hundreds of Sunbelt batteries, a project that will take several months.
Viridi batteries are remote power sources — even for a Richmond event
From there, they will switch to upgrading batteries manufactured at Viridi’s Buffalo factory. Those batteries will eventually be rented or sold to customers in the western United States.
The mobile battery units can provide remote power in places that aren’t near a source of electricity. These can come in handy at music festivals, large sporting competitions and other events.
Viridi, in fact, was going to provide power for Richmond’s Spirit and Soul Festival, held Sept. 20, an event the company was one of the sponsors of.
In addition, transit agencies, law enforcement and firefighters can use the battery systems during outages and emergency situations.
Eventually, the plant may manufacture batteries for West Coast customers.
Macias said the historic significance of where his team works is not lost on his “small but mighty” crew.
“We know we are operating in the shadow of greatness,” he told Richmondside. “It doesn’t get any better than this as far as the setting goes.”
The Richmond facility is Viridi’s first step in establishing a West Coast presence.
“We see this facility as a production hub for the western United States,” said Jon M. Williams, Viridi’s chief executive officer.
Williams said his company chose Richmond because of its rail and ship transportation systems that provide access to San Francisco, Sacramento and Los Angeles.
“That section of Richmond is very amenable to manufacturing,” he told Richmondside. “It fits all the requirements we needed.”
Viridi gets $9 million grant for its role in California’s clean energy transition
The Viridi facility has also received significant support from California leaders.
The California Energy Commission awarded Viridi a $9 million grant in April to help renovate its space in the former Ford manufacturing complex.
“Viridi’s innovative approach to energy storage aligns with California’s commitment to advancing safe, sustainable and resilient energy solutions,” said David Hochschild, chair of the California Energy Commission, in a statement. “This grant underscores the importance of fostering technologies that address our growing energy demands. Viridi’s expansion into California can help play an important role in supporting the state’s clean energy transition and strengthening grid reliability.”
A business such as Viridi’s is an example of the cleaner, greener business base that Richmond city leaders and clean air advocates say should replace fossil-fuel industry giants that are to blame for air quality problems that sicken residents.
“Energy storage plays a vital role in creating cleaner air and healthier communities,” added Liane Randolph, chair of the California Air Resources Board. “Companies like Viridi contribute to this progress through their innovative technology that provides an alternative to electricity generated by fossil fuels for on-site installations and mobile needs. Viridi’s investments are another bright spot in California’s clean energy economy — creating jobs and supporting the state’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2045.”
Members of the air resources board, in fact, toured the Richmond facility recently after a seminar in San Francisco.
Viridi is teaming up with GreenForce Training, a nonprofit organization focused on recruiting and developing training programs for underserved communities, to help build a more equitable and local energy workforce in the Richmond area.
Richmond leaders say Viridi is boost to local economy
City leaders see the new plant as a boost to Richmond’s economy.
“Attracting green industry to Richmond is one of our top priorities and even a single company choosing Richmond can create ripple effects across the economy,” said Mayor Eduardo Martinez. “In our case, it’s not just one. We already have others like OPT (Ocean Power Technologies) and Bedrock Technology that chose Richmond because of water access and the opportunities our city offers. After Moxion’s abrupt departure, it was encouraging to see their Ford Building space filled so quickly.”
Richmond Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda agrees.
“It is very important to have new companies in Richmond, especially green-tech companies,” said Zepeda, whose district (2) includes Point Richmond and parts of the Bay. “All these new companies and jobs will help with a just transition for our communities.”
Martinez also likes the type of industry that Viridi represents.
“Richmond’s long-term goal is to diversify our economy while reducing pollution,” he told Richmondside. “Our job is to be vigilant. Making sure that the industries we attract truly reduce emissions worldwide and provide good jobs.”
The new plant gives city leaders hope that this once-bustling area of Richmond can flourish again.
“My vision is for the Ford plant to live up to its past while pushing forward into the future,” Martinez said. “This is a landmark where Richmonders once built vehicles and helped win a world war.”
“I see it again as a working waterfront,” he added. “I see it as a place where residents can find good union jobs in modern industries while also being a destination. People should be able to take a stroll along the Bay Trail, visit the Rosie the Riveter Museum, tour the Red Oak Victory, and hop on the San Francisco Bay Ferry. Done right, it can be both an active economic hub and a cultural anchor that attracts visitors from across the region.”
A lot of misinformation in this fluff piece. Sunpower did not “morph” into Mixion Power. There was no relation. Both Companies folded separately, and Sunpower had already vacated the building prior to Moxion coming in. Viridi didn’t “choose” this Richmond location, they acquired the assets and look over the lease of Moxion who had been in the space previously. Cesar’s district (D2) doesn’t include “the historic waterfront (That would be Sue Wilson’s District 5), ironically, it does include the water.
How about an update on the Craneway Pavilion?