Energy Vault Partners with Peak Energy to Develop Energy Storage Architecture for AI Data Centers

Why It Matters

The collaboration tackles the power‑intensity of AI training, offering a cost‑effective, domestically sourced alternative to lithium‑ion storage and accelerating data‑center readiness for the AI boom.

Key Takeaways

• Energy Vault partners with Peak for AI data center storage.
• Combines sodium‑ion batteries with Vault OS software.
• 1.5 GWh of US‑made batteries secured for projects.
• Targets high‑peak AI workloads, reduces UPS reliance.
• Domestic content eligibility improves economics versus lithium‑ion.

Pulse Analysis

The rapid expansion of artificial‑intelligence workloads is straining traditional power infrastructure, especially in data‑center environments where peak demand can spike dramatically. Conventional lithium‑ion battery energy‑storage systems (BESS) struggle to match the volatility and instantaneous power needs of AI training and inference. By pairing Peak Energy’s sodium‑ion chemistry—known for its safety, thermal stability, and lower material costs—with Energy Vault’s proprietary Vault OS management platform, the partnership delivers a purpose‑built solution that directly addresses these challenges.

From a technical standpoint, sodium‑ion batteries offer comparable energy density to lithium‑ion while eliminating the need for costly cooling systems and reducing fire‑risk concerns. Integrated with Vault OS, the system can dynamically dispatch power, balance grid interactions, and maintain optimal battery health, simplifying electrical design and cutting reliance on traditional uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). The 1.5 GWh domestic supply contract also unlocks eligibility for U.S. Domestic Content Investment Tax Credits, further narrowing the cost gap with lithium‑ion alternatives and enhancing project economics for data‑center operators.

Strategically, the alliance positions Energy Vault as a key enabler for AI‑driven enterprises seeking scalable, low‑cost energy solutions. Exclusive channel rights in Australia and Japan extend the partnership’s reach, signaling a global push to meet AI’s energy appetite. As AI models grow in size and complexity, the ability to provision rapid, reliable, and financially viable power will become a decisive competitive factor, making this sodium‑ion architecture a potential benchmark for future data‑center energy strategies.

Energy Vault partners with Peak Energy to develop energy storage architecture for AI data centers

Will combine Peak's battery technology with Vault's OS software offering · February 10 2026 · Zachary Skidmore

US energy storage firm Energy Vault has signed a strategic partnership with Peak Energy to develop dedicated energy‑storage architecture for AI‑focused data centers and grid‑scale storage projects.

The system will combine Peak Energy’s sodium‑ion battery technology with Energy Vault’s proprietary system design and Vault OS software. According to the companies, the system is designed to address the volatile and high‑peak power profiles of AI training and inference workloads, which conventional battery energy storage systems (BESS) are not optimized to support.

“The rapid growth of AI is exposing fundamental limitations in conventional power infrastructure,” said Marco Terruzzin, chief revenue officer at Energy Vault. “This solution enables faster deployment, lower cost, and improved safety by combining Energy Vault’s integration platform with Peak’s sodium‑ion technology.”

The solution will be exclusive to Energy Vault and is intended to support the company’s “powered shell” data‑center offering. Energy Vault claims that the architecture will simplify electrical design, reduce reliance on traditional UPS systems, lower cooling requirements, and improve handling of high‑volatility compute loads.

As part of the partnership, Energy Vault has executed a supply agreement to secure 1.5 GWh of US‑manufactured sodium‑ion battery systems from Peak. The partners said this domestic supply could allow projects to qualify for Domestic Content Investment Tax Credits, which they claim could improve the economics of the solution compared with lithium‑ion systems and foreign‑sourced batteries.

“Lowering the cost of energy is essential for winning the AI race, and Peak's proprietary sodium‑ion energy storage systems offer the lowest cost and fastest way to get data centers on the grid,” said Landon Mossburg, CEO at Peak Energy. “This partnership confirms that Peak technology is at the center of meeting AI energy needs today and into the future.”

All of the systems deployed under the partnership are expected to be fully integrated into Energy Vault’s Vault OS energy‑management platform, which will manage the operating characteristics of sodium‑ion batteries, optimize dispatch, and maintain Energy Vault’s operational control of the assets.

In addition, Energy Vault has secured exclusive channel‑partner rights for Peak’s sodium‑ion technology in Australia and Japan, making it the sole provider of Peak’s energy‑storage solution in those regions.

Background

Energy Vault develops and operates grid‑scale energy‑storage projects using battery, gravity, and hydrogen technologies. The company has signed several deals with data‑center operators to supply them with energy‑storage systems. Notably, in December 2024 the company partnered with RackScale Data Centers (RSDC) to deliver 2 GW/20 GWh of primary power to RSDC data centers through its novel battery energy‑storage system.

Peak Energy is a US‑based manufacturer of sodium‑ion energy‑storage systems founded in 2023. In 2024 the company partnered with Digital Edge to supply energy infrastructure for Digital Edge’s data‑center portfolio.