Energy Vault Holdings, Inc., a leader in sustainable grid-scale energy storage, has officially started construction on a significant 200 MW/2-hour battery energy storage system (BESS) at ACEN Australia’s New England Solar project. This milestone was celebrated with a ceremony attended by representatives from Energy Vault, ACEN Australia, local officials, and Anaiwan First Nations leaders.
This construction marks the first of two planned Energy Vault BESS deployments at the expansive 720 MW New England Solar project, located near Uralla in New South Wales. Once operational, this battery storage system will become the largest of its kind in the New England Region, playing a crucial role in supplying renewable energy to the grid during peak consumption hours. This initiative aims to reduce reliance on coal-fired power generation, supporting New South Wales’ transition to cleaner energy sources. Notably, it is also the first large-scale battery storage project backed by the NSW Government’s Emerging Energy Program.
The groundbreaking event featured speeches from Energy Vault CEO Robert Piconi, ACEN Australia’s Tim Greenaway, and local Anaiwan First Nations representatives, who conducted a traditional ceremony to mark the construction’s commencement.
“This project signifies a major milestone for Energy Vault’s growing presence in Australia,” stated Lucas Sadler, Vice President of Sales Asia at Energy Vault. “We are thrilled to partner with ACEN Australia, the Anaiwan First Nations, and the local community to bring this vital renewable energy solution to fruition.”
Tim Greenaway, Head of Construction at ACEN Australia, emphasized the importance of the project: “With the collaboration of our partners, including Energy Vault and the Anaiwan First Nations, New England Solar is on track to become a crucial source of clean power for the region.”
The battery storage systems are part of Energy Vault’s B-VAULT™ suite of integrated solutions, featuring advanced inverters that provide essential grid support functions such as voltage regulation, frequency ride-through, and reactive power control. This technology will be enhanced by Energy Vault’s X-Vault integration platform and Vault-OS Energy Management System, ensuring optimal energy management.
This project represents a key component of Energy Vault’s expanding footprint in the Australian market. The company has also secured agreements with Enervest and the State Electricity Commission of Victoria. To date, Energy Vault’s B-VAULT portfolio in Australia encompasses 1.9 GWh across various projects, demonstrating its commitment to advancing renewable energy solutions.
Energy Vault develops and deploys utility-scale energy storage solutions that transform the landscape of sustainable energy storage. Their offerings include gravity-based, battery, and green hydrogen storage technologies, supported by a hardware-agnostic energy management system. These solutions empower utilities and industrial users to reduce energy costs while ensuring reliable power. Their G-Vault™ technology plays a pivotal role in the global transition to clean energy and promotes a circular economy.
ACEN Australia is a subsidiary of ACEN, overseeing its renewable energy assets in Australia. With over 1 GW of renewable energy projects currently in operation and construction and a development pipeline exceeding 13 GW, ACEN Australia’s portfolio spans solar, wind, battery, and pumped hydro projects. This ambitious growth reflects the region’s commitment to sustainable energy and its potential to lead the way in renewable initiatives.
