- Energy Vault (“Energy Vault” or the “Company”) has confirmed grid connection and inverse power operation at the Rudong EVx system in December 2023.
- The company reports that construction has commenced on three additional grid-scale EVx™ gravity energy storage system (GESS) deployments in China.
- Energy Vault’s partners, China Tianying (CNTY) and Atlas Renewable, now have nine EVx GESS deployments underway in China totaling 3.7 GWh, each of which will generate future project revenue royalties for Energy Vault.
The Rudong 25 MW/100 MWh EVx system became fully interconnected to the local state utility grid in December 2023, enabling full commissioning, inverse power and operational activity powered by the Chinese State Grid (Photo: Business Wire)
Gravity energy is stored by lifting blocks and stacking them at a height, then utilizing their gravitational potential energy to fall back to the ground and drive a generator. Watch video HERE
In 2023, Energy Vault’s partners, CNTY and Atlas Renewable, broke ground on multiple new EVx projects with local public announcements, all of which are being made available on Energy Vault’s website under the Investor tab: a 17 MW/68 MWh EVx GESS deployment located in Zhangye City, Gansu Province, being built adjacent to a renewable energy generation site and a national grid interconnection site; a 50 MW/200 MWh EVx located in Ziuquan City, Jinta County, Gansu Province; and a 25 MW/100 MWh EVx located in Huailai Cunrui Town, Zhangjiakou County, Hebei Province.
The latter two projects were previously announced alongside four other deployments in China, and are being built adjacent to renewable energy generation and national grid interconnection sites. Upon completion, the systems will augment and support ongoing balancing of China’s national energy grid through the storage and delivery of renewable energy.
China’s energy policies now require renewable energy plants to integrate storage of 20% of their nameplate generation capacity, with at least a 2–4-hour duration. These energy storage durations are expected to increase over time as more renewable energy generation becomes a larger percentage of grid power.
Upon final provincial and state approvals for the start of commercial operation to the state grid, the Rudong EVx will be the world’s first commercial, utility scale non-pumped hydro gravity energy storage system. Further updates with regard to the Rudong EVx deployment are expected to be delivered as part of Energy Vault’s upcoming fourth quarter and full year 2023 financial results report, scheduled for Tuesday, March 12, 2024.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
