A pioneer in sustainable, grid-scale energy storage solutions, Energy Vault Holdings Inc. has announced the successful completion and commencement of commercial operation of the 57 MW two-hour Cross Trails BESS in Scurry County, Texas. The project was finished ahead of time and will be backed by a 10-year offtake agreement with Gridmatic, a top AI-enabled power marketer. It is the first completely implemented asset under Energy Vault’s “Own & Operate” expansion plan.
Now in operation, the Cross Trails BESS offers electricity and ancillary services to enhance grid resilience and significantly increase the generation of renewable energy in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) region. Thanks to efficient project management and strong coordination between the engineering, procurement, and construction teams, Energy Vault was able to mechanically complete the Cross Trails BESS ahead of time and exceed all construction milestones.
The project was able to enter commercial operation ahead of schedule because commissioning started right away and ERCOT’s Checklist Part 3—which included all necessary commissioning tests and documentation—was finished early. Energy Vault’s second-generation B-VAULTTM AC system, whose modular, pre-integrated architecture facilitates quick installation and energization, further made this expedited timetable possible.
The BESS makes use of Energy Vault’s complete hardware, software, and service solution stack. Additionally, Energy Vault’s second-generation B-VAULTTM AC product will be deployed for the first time at Cross Trails, allowing Energy Vault to provide better levels of system availability in the ERCOT region while delivering the system swiftly and affordably. To regulate, oversee, and enhance BESS operations, the system is outfitted with Energy Vault’s VaultOSTM Energy Management System.
The offtake agreement is significant since it is the first revenue floor contract for a BESS in ERCOT to be physically resolved. Supported by Gridmatic’s previously disclosed Energy Storage Fund, the deal will give Gridmatic and Energy Vault access to Gridmatic’s AI-based projections, which have produced the best day-ahead energy trading outcomes in the ERCOT market. Gridmatic will also offer QSE services as part of the contract.
“This milestone demonstrates the unique ability of the Energy Vault team to execute complex energy storage deployments with speed, quality, and attractive economics,” stated Marco Terruzzin, Chief Revenue Officer, Energy Vault. “Completing Cross Trails ahead of schedule and achieving ERCOT certification early is a testament to our team’s expertise and the commitment of the entire leadership team to delivering long-term, sustainable shareholder value under the ‘Own & Operate’ growth strategy announced in 2024.”
An important milestone in Energy Vault’s “Own & Operate” strategy has been reached with the completion of the Cross Trails BESS, indicating the company’s capacity to carry out its strategic vision while optimizing capital efficiency. With the help of its project financing and ITC sales engagements, which will keep putting cash back on the balance sheet, the company’s ability to use its experience in planning, constructing, and running energy storage assets under the most cost-effective capital and operating expense profiles is demonstrated by this project.
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