Fuel cells and lithium batteries join hands! The largest green hydrogen energy storage project in the United States is under construction in California

Last week, Energy Vault delivered a new microgrid storage tank designed for Pacific Gas & Electric to the Calistoga Resilience Center (CRC). The CRC is a hybrid long-duration energy storage (LDES) and green hydrogen microgrid facility that combines two clean energy technologies: hydrogen fuel cells and lithium-ion batteries. The facility will be the largest utility-scale green hydrogen energy storage project in the United States.

Providing Grid Stability and Backup Power to Calistoga with LDES

Once completed, the hybrid LDES and green hydrogen microgrid will support grid stability and provide up to 48 hours of backup power during power outages and public safety power outages (PSPS) used by CAISO to mitigate wildfire risks. The utility-scale system, called BH-ESS, is designed to provide 293MWh of carbon-free energy, enough to power approximately 2,000 customers of PG&E's Calistoga microgrid. In addition, BH-ESS will power downtown Calistoga and surrounding areas, including critical facilities such as the Fire and Police Department. Energy Vault's system will replace traditional mobile diesel generators used during PSPS events.

Providing reliable, emission-free electricity using green hydrogen and lithium-ion batteries

Energy Vault will utilize its VaultOS™ energy management system to oversee, manage and optimize the operations of BH-ESS. The system is part of Energy Vault’s H-VAULT™ suite, which integrates green hydrogen fuel cells and lithium-ion batteries to maintain power during PSPS events. H-VAULT™ combines the long-term storage of hydrogen fuel cells with the characteristics of B-VAULT™️ lithium-ion batteries to provide clean, reliable and cost-effective backup power to islanded microgrids during transmission outages. In addition, B-VAULT™ DC batteries will provide immediate response and grid-forming capabilities, ensuring stable power throughout the PSPS event.

The integrated system produces no greenhouse gas emissions when in use, meets California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard and supports PG&E’s goal of achieving a net-zero system by 2040.

Advancing Community-Scale Microgrid Technology in California

The California Public Utilities Commission approved the LDES and green hydrogen hybrid microgrid project in April 2023, marking a major advancement in community-scale microgrid technology and supporting the state’s bold clean energy goals. Energy Vault will manage the system, provide power and grid support under a 10.5-year agreement.

Energy Vault’s Chief Commercial and Product Officer, Marco Terruzzin, highlighted the importance of their partnership with PG&E, saying, “Our partnership with California’s largest utility is another example of the growing recognition that optimizing grid resiliency and economics and achieving decarbonization goals requires innovation, leveraging multiple technologies, and putting the customer at the center when designing energy storage solutions.”

This hybrid microgrid project demonstrates low-cost and next-generation energy supplies, such as LDES and green hydrogen, critical to grid reliability and achieving clean energy goals.

(Source: Energy Vault Global Hydrogen Energy Network, Global Energy Storage Network, New Energy Network Comprehensive)