Calibrant Energy today announced that it will build, own, and operate a 23 MWh on-site battery energy storage system at Iron Mountain’s New Jersey data center. The project integrates large-scale storage with the facility’s existing 7.2 MW rooftop solar installation, creating a resilient energy ecosystem that supports Iron Mountain’s 24/7 carbon-free energy commitment.
Transforming Data Center Loads into Grid Assets
Phil Martin, CEO of Calibrant Energy, said: “This is what the future of powering large loads looks like. Customers can grow and control costs while strengthening the grid, proving that large power users are part of the energy solution rather than a burden.”
In addition, advanced real-time controls enable the facility to transform its energy load into a dynamic asset that stabilizes the regional grid during peak demand. As a result, the approach maintains uptime for customers while displacing the need for new, carbon-intensive power infrastructure in the local community.
Integrating Solar and Storage for Operational Resilience
The battery storage project will combine with the facility’s 7.2 MW rooftop solar installation to form a hybrid on-site energy system. This system supports Iron Mountain’s 24/7 carbon-free energy commitment and enhances operational resilience.
Calibrant Energy explained that the system converts the data center’s energy load into a flexible grid asset that stabilizes the regional electricity network during peak demand periods. Operators expect it to maintain uptime for customers while reducing reliance on additional carbon-intensive power infrastructure in the surrounding community.
Data Centers as Strategic Grid Partners
Chris Pennington, Senior Director of Energy and Sustainability at Iron Mountain, added:
“Battery storage is a critical component of our broader strategy to support the local energy ecosystem. Flexible, on-site assets like this improve the economic and operational efficiency of the local utility grid, in addition to supporting increased reliability for all electric consumers. This project demonstrates how the data center industry can bring solutions to emerging grid challenges.”
As data centers continue to expand, projects like this underscore a growing trend: large power users actively stabilize the grid, reduce carbon dependency, and turn their energy demand into an economic and environmental asset. By combining battery storage with rooftop solar, Iron Mountain’s New Jersey facility sets a benchmark for resilient, carbon-free infrastructure.
