Energy Vault, PG&E launch green hydrogen energy storage system in Calistoga

Energy Vault Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: NRGV), a leader in sustainable grid-scale energy storage solutions, today announced the groundbreaking of its utility-scale green hydrogen plus battery ultra-long duration energy storage system (BH-ESS) in Northern California. This innovative project, developed for Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) on a compact footprint in the city of Calistoga, marks a significant advancement in the deployment of dispatchable carbon-free energy, with a capacity of 293 megawatt-hours (MWh).

The BH-ESS, named the Calistoga Resiliency Center, is poised to become the first and largest of its kind in the United States upon its expected completion by the end of Q2 2024. Designed to support grid forming and black start capabilities, the battery segment of the system will enhance the reliability of energy supply to downtown Calistoga and its vicinity for up to 48 hours during Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), aimed at mitigating wildfire risks.

This project received the green light from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in April 2023, symbolizing a pivotal step towards replacing traditional mobile diesel generators with cleaner, more sustainable microgrid solutions. The initiative aligns with the CPUC’s objective of promoting cleaner microgrid generation methods, offering a blueprint for community-scale microgrid development.

Energy Vault Holdings, Inc. Initiates Construction of the United States’ Largest Utility-Scale Green Hydrogen Energy Storage System. Photo courtesy of Business Wire.

Marco Terruzzin, Chief Commercial and Product Officer at Energy Vault, emphasized the project’s significance, stating, “The timely start of construction is an important milestone in our partnership with PG&E to deliver this first-of-its-kind microgrid solution. We greatly look forward to not only its delivery but most importantly to the sustainability benefits it will bring to the Calistoga community.” He further highlighted the project as a testament to the growing acknowledgment of the necessity for grid resiliency and economic optimization through innovative, technology-driven solutions.

Mike Delaney, Vice President of Utility Partnerships and Innovation at PG&E, reflected on the project’s role in advancing grid reliability and achieving PG&E’s net-zero energy system goal by 2040. Delaney remarked on the importance of deploying cost-effective, next-generation energy supply and storage technologies to support the proliferation of such innovations at strategic, high-impact locations.

Energy Vault will own, operate, and maintain the BH-ESS, leveraging its VaultOS Energy Management System for optimal control and efficiency. The system, part of Energy Vault’s H-VAULT suite, integrates green hydrogen fuel cells and lithium-ion batteries to provide resilient, clean backup power essential for maintaining microgrid operations during PSPS events.

Under a 10.5-year agreement, Energy Vault will offer “Distributed Generation-Enabled Microgrid Services” to PG&E, showcasing a forward-thinking approach to energy storage and microgrid services designed to sustain critical infrastructure and community services during emergency outages.