Ørsted joins forces with Mission Clean Energy, a specialist in the development of large-scale renewable energy and storage projects.
This partnership aims to develop four autonomous battery energy storage systems (BESS) in the Midwest, marking Ørsted’s first initiative in the field of autonomous storage, and an important step in diversifying its technological portfolio in the United States.
This collaboration will enable Ørsted to expand its technological capabilities and increase its service offering for businesses and utilities.
James Giamarino, Ørsted’s Commercial Director, emphasizes the strategic importance of this alliance in meeting the challenges of the energy transition.
The partnership focuses on the development of storage solutions designed to reinforce the resilience of the electricity grid, a major challenge in the management of renewable energies.
The projects in question, totalling 1 GW of capacity, are located in the Central and North zones of the grid managed by Mid-Continent Independent System Operator (MISO).
Ørsted will contribute its expertise and financial resources to secure the interconnection positions, while Mission Clean Energy will continue to lead the technical development of the projects.
Ørsted will also have the option of acquiring shares in these projects as they progress, thus strengthening the collaboration between the two entities. The strategic choice of sites responds to a growing demand for storage capacity in the MISO region, which is undergoing a transition to non-emitting energy resources.
Max Bakker, CEO of Mission Clean Energy, emphasizes the complementary nature of the respective expertise, which is essential to meet market requirements.
The implementation of projects is designed to maximize local benefits and mitigate the risks associated with grid volatility.
This partnership also enriches Ørsted’s development pipeline in the United States, where the company already manages nearly 6 GW of renewable energy projects in operation or under construction.
Ørsted, which has already developed storage projects co-located with solar installations, such as the Permian Solar Center in Texas and the Eleven Mile Solar Center in Arizona, is now extending its scope with these stand-alone projects in the Midwest.
The alliance with Mission Clean Energy illustrates Ørsted’s determination to strengthen its foothold in the US energy storage market, a key sector for the energy transition.
The development of these stand-alone projects marks a new stage in Ørsted’s expansion strategy, while supporting the ramp-up of storage capacity essential to grid stability in a context of transition to renewable energy sources.
