Energy Vault Holdings, Inc., a leader in sustainable, grid-scale energy storage solutions, has commenced construction of a 200 MW/2-hour battery energy storage system (BESS) at ACEN Australia’s New England Solar project near Uralla, New South Wales. This marks the first of two planned Energy Vault deployments at the 720 MW solar facility, with the BESS designed to enhance grid reliability and support the transition to renewable energy.
A welcome ceremony was held on-site to commemorate the start of construction, attended by Energy Vault executives, representatives from ACEN Australia, elected officials, and leaders from the local Anaiwan First Nations community. The event featured speeches from key stakeholders, including Energy Vault’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Robert Piconi, and ACEN Australia’s Head of Construction and Engineering, Tim Greenaway. Anaiwan First Nations leaders also shared cultural storytelling and conducted a traditional sweating ceremony before Robert Piconi officially broke ground at the site.
Once operational, this battery energy storage system will be the first large-scale BESS of its kind in the New England region of New South Wales. It will charge and discharge daily, storing renewable energy and dispatching it during peak consumption hours. This will help stabilize the grid, support energy demand, and reduce reliance on coal-fired power generation. The project is the first large-scale battery storage system to begin construction under the support of the New South Wales Government’s Emerging Energy Program.
The BESS will utilize Energy Vault’s B-VAULT™ suite of integrated battery storage solutions, featuring an advanced inverter system designed to provide critical grid support functions such as voltage and frequency regulation, reactive power control, and stability during disturbances. These capabilities, combined with Energy Vault’s proprietary X-Vault integration platform and Vault-OS Energy Management System, will optimize the operation and efficiency of the storage system.
Lucas Sadler, Vice President of Sales Asia, Energy Vault, said in a statement, “Today’s groundbreaking is a significant milestone for Energy Vault’s rapidly growing commercial footprint in Australia, and we’re very pleased to be working with ACEN Australia, its First Nations partners and the Uralla community on the project. New England Solar will serve as a critical source of renewable energy for the NSW region, and Energy Vault’s involvement is reflective of the company’s truly global approach to meeting the growing demand for reliable and cost-effective energy storage solutions.”
Tim Greenaway, Head of Construction, ACEN Australia, mentioned “As New England Solar progresses toward completion, we are fortunate to not only have the opportunity to partner with the Energy Vault team in the development of energy storage systems, but to have the strong support and partnership of the Anaiwan First Nations and local community. It is our goal to reliably provide clean power in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible, and today we are one step close to achieving that mission.”
The launch of this project marks a significant milestone in Energy Vault’s expansion within the Australian market. It follows a series of recent agreements, including collaborations with Enervest and the Victorian government-owned State Electricity Commission (SEC). To date, Energy Vault’s B-VAULT portfolio in Australia comprises 1.9 GWh of previously announced energy storage projects. By integrating large-scale energy storage with renewable power generation, this initiative supports Australia’s energy transition and reinforces Energy Vault’s commitment to delivering sustainable, innovative storage solutions worldwide.
