US virtual power plant (VPP) platform CPower has partnered with Vertiv on a new program to expedite data center connection times by deploying battery energy storage systems (BESS) and other behind-the-grid assets.

As part of the tie-up, Vertiv will integrate its EnergyCore Grid BESS with CPower's VPP platform, which the companies claim will allow data centers to use behind-the-meter storage systems and other energy assets for demand response and other grid services.

The BESS solution is a modular lithium BESS designed specifically for data centers and critical infrastructure. It offers between 1MW and 200+ MW of capacity, and according to the company, is ideal for behind-the-meter deployments.

The companies have already deployed the solution at Vertiv's Customer Experience Center in Ohio. At the site, the partners utilized a 1MW microgrid which combined BESS, solar, hydrogen fuel cells, and UPS systems to generate demand response revenue, secure on-bill savings, and support flexibility across the PJM Interconnection network.

"As data centers increase in power and grid interconnections become harder to secure, UPS and BESS solutions are evolving beyond a backup solution, emerging as a critical enabler for data centers. When intelligently integrated into the facility and utility grid, along with flexible energy resources and controllable loads such as HVAC systems, on-site storage facilitates interconnection and can become a revenue-generating asset that improves return on investment," said Chris Thompson, VP, advanced technology and global microgrids at Vertiv.

"With global data center power usage estimated to more than double between 2025 and 2030 and the bring your own power model in early adoption, data centers are signaling a clear willingness to leverage distributed generation and on-premise batteries to accelerate a path to unlock grid capacity today," added Glenn Bogarde, chief sales and marketing officer, CPower. "We are focused on flexibility levers that are a reality for our customers, especially as new energy technologies and incentives become more pervasive across the United States."

The partnership with Vertiv is not CPower’s first within the data center market. In February, the firm partnered with Supermicro and AI orchestration platform Bentaus on a joint demonstration project, which aimed at improving AI compute's relationship with the grid.

Vertiv, too, has been increasingly focused on improving efficiency in the data center market. Last November, the company partnered with Caterpillar to develop integrated power generation solutions for the data center market, with a focus on on-site energy solutions.