The project was completed ahead of schedule, successfully meeting all construction milestones through effective project management and close collaboration among engineering, procurement, and construction teams. Commissioning began immediately thereafter, and ERCOT’s (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) Checklist Part 3 - including all required commissioning tests and documentation - was also completed early, allowing the project to enter commercial operation ahead of plan. This accelerated timeline was further enabled by Energy Vault’s second-generation B-VAULT AC system, whose modular, pre-integrated design supports rapid installation and energisation.
The project will be supported by a 10-year offtake agreement with AI-enabled power marketer Gridmatic.
The Cross Trails BESS provides energy and ancillary services in support of renewable energy production, with the aim of improving grid resiliency in the ERCOT region.
The offtake agreement is the first physically settled revenue floor contract to be signed for a BESS in ERCOT. The agreement is backed by Gridmatic’s previously announced Energy Storage Fund, and will provide both Energy Vault and Gridmatic with the benefit of Gridmatic’s AI-based forecasts, which have delivered the top Day Ahead energy trading results in the ERCOT market. As part of the agreement, Gridmatic will also provide QSE (Quality, Safety, and Environment) services.
“This milestone demonstrates the unique ability of the Energy Vault team to execute complex energy storage deployments with speed, quality, and attractive economics” said 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.”
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