Energy Vault's Calistoga Resiliency Center Gets CPUC Approval for Market Participation

Energy Vault's Calistoga Resiliency Center has received approval from the California Public Utilities Commission to participate in the California Independent System Operator energy and ancillary markets. This approval, combined with a large generator interconnection agreement, ensures the eligibility of the CRC to offer grid services after distribution upgrades are completed. This marks a major step forward in deploying clean, resilient, and economically optimized energy infrastructure.

Energy Vault Holdings Inc. (NYSE: NRGV) has achieved a significant milestone with the approval from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for its Calistoga Resiliency Center (CRC) to participate in the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) energy and ancillary markets. This approval, coupled with the recent execution of a Large Generator Interconnection Agreement (LGIA), marks a major step forward in deploying clean, resilient, and economically optimized energy infrastructure.

Located in Northern California’s Napa Valley, the CRC is the world’s largest clean microgrid, designed to provide critical backup power during Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events, wildfires, and grid emergencies. The state-of-the-art hybrid microgrid integrates advanced hydrogen fuel cells with lithium-ion batteries, serving as a blueprint for future clean grid-resilient infrastructure in climate-vulnerable regions.

The CPUC approval removes the last barriers for the CRC to earn revenues in California’s wholesale electricity market when it is not needed for PSPS events. This approval is a significant milestone for Energy Vault, enhancing the financial value of the project and validating the strategic integration of its advanced technologies, including H-VAULT™ and Vault-Bidder™.

H-VAULT™, Energy Vault’s proprietary ultra long-duration energy storage system platform, and Vault-Bidder™, an AI-powered platform for optimized asset bidding and dispatch, will enable the CRC to deliver market services such as energy shifting, regulation, and spinning reserve, contributing essential grid services while maximizing revenue. This dual role—delivering community resilience and market performance—demonstrates the power and scalability of Energy Vault’s platform-based approach.

Marco Terruzzin, Chief Revenue Officer of Energy Vault, stated, "The Calistoga Resiliency Center embodies the vision we’ve had since day one: enabling communities to thrive through clean, intelligent, and reliable energy systems. This milestone not only affirms the performance of our H-VAULT™ and Vault-Bidder™ technologies but sets a precedent for what’s possible in building a grid that is both sustainable and financially robust."

A ribbon-cutting event is scheduled to take place at the facility in Calistoga, CA, on Friday, August 1, bringing together local government officials, technology partners, and energy stakeholders to celebrate this pioneering achievement.

The project, facilitated by the recent close of $28 million in financing, is fully owned and operated by Energy Vault, with PG&E serving as the utility partner under a long-term energy services agreement.

References:
[1] https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250731454783/en/Energy-Vault-Calistoga-Resiliency-Center-Receives-CPUC-Approval-for-Participation-in-CAISO-Market
[2] https://www.stocktitan.net/news/NRGV/energy-vault-s-calistoga-resiliency-center-receives-cpuc-approval-2gmd135l3jx7.html