Energy Vault and PG&E launch Calistoga Resiliency Center, world’s first hybrid hydrogen-battery microgrid, ensuring zero-emission, long-duration energy security during wildfires.
Energy Vault Holdings Inc., a global leader in sustainable grid-scale energy storage, together with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation, has announced the successful completion and commissioning of the Calistoga Resiliency Center (CRC). Located in Calistoga, California, this groundbreaking hybrid energy storage microgrid combines advanced hydrogen fuel cells with lithium-ion battery technology, creating the world’s first ultra-long-duration zero-emission system of its kind.
The project, designed to provide reliable, climate-resilient energy, is a direct response to California’s wildfire challenges and the increasing need for Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). Serving nearly 1,600 PG&E customers in and around downtown Calistoga, the CRC ensures uninterrupted electricity supply during PSPS events or extreme weather disruptions. With a storage capacity of 293 megawatt hours (MWh) and a peak power output of 8.5 megawatts (MW), the system delivers at least 48 hours of continuous backup power, aligning with California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) and PG&E’s requirements for multi-day energy storage.
At the heart of the project lies Energy Vault’s VaultOS™ Energy Management System, a flexible, technology-agnostic platform. VaultOS orchestrates performance across all subsystems, enabling black-start capabilities, grid-forming functions, and seamless coordination with PG&E’s Distribution Control Center. This advanced integration ensures reliable, stable operation even when the community is islanded from the main grid.
Craig Horne, Senior Vice President of Advanced Energy Solutions at Energy Vault, emphasized the project’s significance: “The Calistoga Resiliency Center demonstrates how innovation and partnerships can deliver sustainable energy security to vulnerable communities. It represents a milestone in our ‘Own & Operate’ strategy, bringing both long-term community benefits and recurring revenue streams.”
The CRC utilizes hydrogen fuel cells for primary electricity generation when operating independently from the main grid. Energy Vault’s B-VAULT™ DC battery systems complement the hydrogen cells by providing rapid response capabilities and stabilizing grid performance. By using liquid hydrogen stored onsite, the system can extend operational runtime without any interruption in power delivery, while also lowering the overall cost of resiliency services.
This innovative solution is the only zero-emission microgrid currently available that is scalable, bankable, and ready to be deployed across wildfire-prone regions in California and other areas requiring enhanced grid resiliency. It now serves as a blueprint for future hybrid energy storage deployments worldwide.
The project’s success was supported by $28 million in financing, including the sale of the project’s Investment Tax Credit. Owned and operated by Energy Vault under a long-term agreement with PG&E, the CRC showcases the company’s ability to efficiently deliver large-scale, capital-intensive energy infrastructure. The announcement follows the commissioning of the Cross Trails Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), another major addition to Energy Vault’s “Owned & Operated” portfolio.
Mike Delaney, Vice President of Utility Partnerships and Innovation at PG&E, highlighted the utility’s commitment: “The Calistoga Resiliency Center strengthens system safety, enhances reliability, and reduces costs for customers. It is the right solution for Calistoga, PG&E, and the planet.”
Now fully operational, the CRC stands as a transformative step in addressing energy resiliency challenges and sets a new standard for sustainable microgrid projects.
