Energy Vault Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: NRGV), a leader in sustainable grid-scale energy storage, has officially begun construction of a 200 MW/2-hour battery energy storage system (BESS) at ACEN Australia’s New England Solar project. The launch was marked by 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 BESS installations at the 720 MW New England Solar project near Uralla in New South Wales. Once complete, the system will be the largest of its kind in the New England region, crucial for supplying renewable energy to the grid during peak hours. The project aims to reduce dependence on coal power and support New South Wales’ shift to cleaner energy. It is also the first large-scale battery storage project funded 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 leaders, who performed a traditional ceremony to celebrate the start of construction.
“This project is a key milestone in Energy Vault’s growing presence in Australia,” said Lucas Sadler, Vice President of Sales Asia at Energy Vault. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with ACEN Australia, the Anaiwan First Nations, and the local community to bring this renewable energy solution to life.”
Tim Greenaway, Head of Construction at ACEN Australia, commented, “With support from our partners, including Energy Vault and the Anaiwan First Nations, New England Solar is set to become a major source of clean power for the region.”
The battery storage systems, part of Energy Vault’s B-VAULT™ solutions, will include advanced inverters capable of grid support functions such as voltage regulation, frequency ride-through, and reactive power control. These features will be integrated with Energy Vault’s X-Vault platform and Vault-OS Energy Management System for optimal energy management.
This project is a significant part of Energy Vault’s growing footprint in the Australian market, which also includes agreements with Enervest and the State Electricity Commission of Victoria. Currently, Energy Vault’s B-VAULT portfolio in Australia totals 1.9 GWh across several projects.
Energy Vault develops and deploys utility-scale energy storage solutions that transform energy storage for a sustainable future. The company’s technologies, including gravity-based, battery, and green hydrogen storage, are supported by a flexible energy management system. These solutions help utilities and industrial users reduce energy costs while ensuring reliable power. Its G-Vault™ technology is advancing the global transition to clean energy and a circular economy.
ACEN Australia, a subsidiary of ACEN, manages its renewable energy projects in Australia. With over 1 GW of renewable energy in operation and construction, and a development pipeline of more than 13 GW, ACEN Australia’s portfolio includes solar, wind, battery, and pumped hydro projects.
