Ford Energy and EDF power solutions North America Sign 5-Year 20 GWh Battery Storage Deal

Ford Energy and EDF power solutions North America Sign Long-Term U.S. Battery Storage Supply Agreement

Ford Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company, and EDF power solutions North America, part of the global EDF Group, have announced a major five-year framework agreement focused on expanding utility-scale battery energy storage deployment across the United States. Under the agreement, EDF power solutions will have the ability to procure up to 4 gigawatt hours (GWh) of direct current block battery energy storage systems annually from Ford Energy, creating the potential for total deliveries of up to 20 GWh throughout the duration of the partnership.

The agreement marks a significant step for both companies as demand for large-scale battery storage systems accelerates throughout the U.S. energy sector. It also reinforces the growing importance of domestic battery manufacturing and supply chain resilience as utilities, developers, and grid operators seek dependable partners capable of delivering utility-grade energy storage technology at scale.

Deliveries under the agreement are expected to begin in 2028 and will support EDF power solutions’ expanding portfolio of grid-scale storage projects nationwide. The collaboration is expected to help address increasing electricity demand, support renewable energy integration, and improve power grid stability as the United States continues its transition toward a lower-carbon energy system.

Battery energy storage systems are becoming a critical component of modern electricity infrastructure. As renewable generation from solar and wind continues to expand, grid operators increasingly require storage technologies capable of balancing intermittent generation and maintaining reliability during periods of fluctuating demand. The Ford Energy and EDF power solutions agreement reflects this broader industry transformation, where long-duration energy storage is emerging as a central pillar of grid modernization strategies.

The partnership also highlights the growing role that major industrial manufacturers are beginning to play in the energy storage sector. Ford Energy was established to leverage the manufacturing expertise, quality systems, and supply chain management capabilities developed by Ford Motor Company over decades of automotive production. By applying these capabilities to battery energy storage systems, Ford Energy aims to position itself as a trusted supplier for large utility-scale projects requiring consistent performance and long-term operational reliability.

According to Ford Energy President Lisa Drake, the agreement demonstrates strong market demand for energy storage providers capable of combining industrial manufacturing discipline with comprehensive lifecycle accountability. She explained that utility developers and grid operators increasingly require suppliers that can provide not only hardware, but also predictable quality standards, long-term operational support, and dependable supply chain visibility.

Drake emphasized that Ford Energy was specifically designed to serve customers operating critical infrastructure projects where reliability and consistency are essential. She noted that energy storage developers face growing pressure to deploy projects on schedule while ensuring long-term system performance, making supplier confidence more important than ever.

For EDF power solutions North America, the agreement represents an opportunity to strengthen supply chain security while accelerating the deployment of energy storage projects across multiple U.S. markets. The company continues to expand its portfolio of renewable energy and storage assets as utilities and commercial customers pursue decarbonization targets and grid reliability improvements.

Tristan Grimbert, CEO of EDF power solutions North America, stated that product quality and supply chain reliability remain among the company’s highest priorities as energy storage deployment accelerates. He said Ford Energy’s focus on domestic manufacturing, traceability, and lifecycle support aligns closely with EDF power solutions’ operational standards and long-term project requirements.

Grimbert also noted that the agreement provides the supply visibility necessary for EDF power solutions to continue executing projects at the pace required by the energy transition. With electricity demand expected to rise significantly over the coming decade due to electrification, data center expansion, and industrial growth, securing dependable battery supply agreements has become increasingly important for developers and utilities alike.

The framework agreement comes at a time when the U.S. battery storage market is experiencing unprecedented growth. Utility-scale battery installations have expanded rapidly in recent years as falling battery costs, supportive government policies, and increasing renewable energy penetration drive adoption across the power sector. States including California, Texas, Arizona, and Nevada have emerged as major energy storage markets, while additional projects are being planned across the Midwest and Southeast.

Industry analysts expect energy storage deployment to continue growing sharply throughout the next decade. Grid-scale storage systems are increasingly being used for applications such as frequency regulation, voltage support, energy arbitrage, peak demand management, renewable integration, backup power, and microgrid support. These systems allow operators to store electricity during periods of lower demand or high renewable generation and discharge energy when demand rises or renewable output declines.

At the center of the agreement is the Ford Energy DC Block, a standardized containerized battery storage platform designed specifically for utility-scale applications. The system is built in a 20-foot containerized configuration and offers a rated energy capacity of 5.45 megawatt hours per unit.

The DC Block utilizes 512 ampere-hour lithium iron phosphate prismatic battery cells, commonly referred to as LFP cells. LFP chemistry has become increasingly popular within the utility-scale storage sector due to its strong safety profile, long cycle life, and thermal stability compared to some alternative lithium-ion chemistries.

Ford Energy’s storage system is available in both two-hour and four-hour discharge configurations, allowing developers and utilities to tailor deployments based on specific grid requirements and operational objectives. The system operates across a voltage range of 1,040 to 1,500 volts direct current and incorporates integrated liquid-cooled thermal management technology designed to maintain battery performance and improve operational efficiency.

The DC Block has been engineered to support a wide range of utility-scale applications. These include frequency regulation services that help stabilize grid frequency, voltage support functions that improve transmission reliability, energy arbitrage strategies that optimize electricity purchasing and selling opportunities, and peak load shifting to reduce stress during high-demand periods.

In addition, the system can provide demand response support, backup power capabilities, and microgrid integration services for communities, industrial facilities, and critical infrastructure sites. As extreme weather events and grid reliability concerns increase, energy storage systems are becoming an important tool for enhancing resilience and maintaining electricity availability during outages or disruptions.

The agreement between Ford Energy and EDF power solutions also reflects broader trends toward domestic manufacturing and localized supply chains within the U.S. energy sector. Policymakers and industry leaders have increasingly emphasized the importance of developing domestic battery production capabilities to reduce reliance on overseas suppliers and strengthen national energy security.

Federal incentives supporting domestic clean energy manufacturing have encouraged companies to invest in U.S.-based battery production and energy infrastructure. These initiatives aim to create jobs, improve supply chain stability, and accelerate deployment of advanced energy technologies across the country.

For Ford Energy, the partnership with EDF power solutions represents a major commercial milestone as the company expands its presence in the rapidly growing energy storage market. For EDF power solutions, the agreement provides access to a scalable supply of utility-grade storage systems that can support long-term project development plans across the United States.

As utilities, developers, and regulators continue prioritizing grid modernization and renewable integration, partnerships such as this are expected to play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of the U.S. energy landscape. The combination of industrial manufacturing expertise, advanced battery technology, and large-scale project development capabilities positions both companies to help meet the growing demand for reliable and domestically supplied energy storage infrastructure.

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