Large-scale battery system enables Aligned Data Centers’ Pacific Northwest facility to access grid power years ahead of schedule. [Photo: Aligned Data Centers]
Plano-based Aligned Data Centers and Florida-based Calibrant Energy have announced what they called a “first-of-its-kind” energy solution to address one of the data center industry’s most urgent constraints—access to grid power.
The news comes one week after news that Aligned Data Centers is being acquired in a deal worth around $40 billion by the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership (“AIP”), MGX, and BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners.
The announcement also comes as the rapid growth of AI and advanced computing fuels unprecedented power demand, accelerating the need to increase load service and ensure reliable access to grid power.
“This project flips the script on how data centers access power,” said Phil Martin, CEO at Calibrant. “Rather than the false choice between waiting years for system upgrades or having to go off grid entirely, we’re working with leading data center providers like Aligned to use distributed energy solutions to facilitate and accelerate grid interconnection.”
Under the agreement, Calibrant, a provider of on-site energy solutions for large power users, will deliver a 31 MW / 62 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) at Aligned’s data center campus in the Pacific Northwest. The on-site system, slated to be operational in 2026, will enable the facility to come online and scale operations “years earlier” than would be possible with traditional utility upgrades, Aligned said.
Strengthening the grid
Calibrant and Aligned said they’ve been partnering with a regional utility in the Pacific Northwest since the beginning of negotiations to explore flexibility as a means to increase and accelerate interconnection. Aligned’s adaptive data center solutions power customers’ most demanding cloud, AI / high-performance compute (HPC), and enterprise workloads, the company said.
“This innovative model allows large power users to take control of their energy future while being stewards of their community—ensuring growth objectives are met in a manner that supports grid reliability, has minimal environmental impact, and doesn’t burden others with the costs,” Martin said.
This will be “the first time in the nation” that a battery system is purpose-built to accelerate interconnection and bring a large-scale data center online, the companies said. Developed using Calibrant’s Path to Power solution—a replicable, scalable approach that leverages on-site energy to overcome siting and capacity bottlenecks—Aligned said the system functions as a grid-responsive asset, designed to discharge during peak demand, bolster grid reliability, and ensure uninterrupted service for Aligned’s customers.
Calibrant and Aligned said they prioritized safety and the use of domestically manufactured components for the project, sourcing from suppliers that maintain strong U.S.-based manufacturing and supply chains. They said the battery system exceeds international safety standards by incorporating multiple layers of protection, including safer battery chemistry, built-in fire mitigation measures, and remote 24/7 monitoring for reliable and safe operations.
Key equipment, including transformers, switchgear, and batteries, were all manufactured and/or assembled in the United States, underscoring the companies’ commitment to supporting domestic manufacturing.
Partnership with expansion potential
“This strategic project redefines how we grow in power-constrained markets,” Aligned CEO Andrew Schaap said in a statement. “With this BESS, we’re converting our load from a potential grid liability into a dynamic grid asset, providing the regional utility with the tools needed to accelerate our ramp. And we’re doing it responsibly, without impacting ratepayers.”
“We’re proud to partner with Calibrant on a new market-defining initiative, directly addressing the industry’s critical constraint of access to grid power. Their experience in serving large power users and critical facilities was instrumental in our ability to move quickly and efficiently,” Schaap added.
Calibrant and Aligned said they are considering similar projects in other markets, signaling a repeatable approach for data center operators facing interconnection challenges.
Aligned Data Centers is a provider of sustainable, ultra-efficient and highly adaptive data center infrastructure designed to power AI innovation at scale.
Calibrant Energy is a provider of on-site energy solutions for large power users. Calibrant said it develops, owns, and operates a diverse portfolio of distributed energy technologies, including battery storage, solar, and microgrids.
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