Calistoga Resiliency Center
The CRC serves around 1,600 PG&E customers in and around downtown Calistoga. With a capacity of 293 megawatt hours (MWh), it supplies at least 48 hours of continuous power with a peak output of 8.5 megawatts (MW) during Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events caused by wildfires or extreme weather. The zero-emission system meets California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard while addressing PG&E’s multi-day storage needs. Energy Vault’s VaultOS™ Energy Management System coordinates the subsystems, enabling black-start, grid forming, and integration with PG&E’s Distribution Control Center.
Craig Horne, Senior Vice President, Advanced Energy Solutions at Energy Vault, stated: “This project is a major milestone in our mission to deliver sustainable, resilient energy solutions to communities most vulnerable to climate-driven grid disruptions. The Calistoga Resiliency Center exemplifies the power of innovation and partnership, and it marks a significant step forward in the execution of our ‘Own & Operate’ strategy, which enables us to deliver long-term value through recurring revenue and community impact.”
In island mode, the CRC uses hydrogen fuel cells for electricity generation, with Energy Vault’s B-VAULT™ DC battery technology working alongside to ensure rapid response and grid stability. Liquid hydrogen storage allows the system to extend runtime through fuel delivery without interrupting the power supply to Calistoga, lowering the cost of resiliency services. The project demonstrates a scalable and sustainable approach to managing PSPS events and serves as a model for future utility-scale hybrid microgrids in California and other regions where stronger grid resilience is required.
The project was financed through $28 million in funding, including the sale of its Investment Tax Credit. Energy Vault owns and operates the facility under a long-term energy services agreement with PG&E, which functions as the distribution system operator. The completion represents a key advancement in Energy Vault’s “Own & Operate” strategy, highlighting its capacity to deliver capital-efficient, sustainable infrastructure. The announcement follows the recent commissioning of the Cross Trails BESS, another project within the company’s expanding owned-and-operated portfolio.
Mike Delaney, Vice President of Utility Partnerships and Innovation at PG&E, said: “PG&E is committed to continually delivering innovations that enhance electric system safety and reliability while driving costs down for our customers. The Calistoga Resiliency Center is another step toward fulfilling that commitment. It is the right solution for PG&E, for Calistoga, and for the planet.”
The Calistoga Resiliency Center is now fully operational, offering a framework for protecting high-risk communities in California and other areas requiring improved energy reliability.
