US Roundup: California CCAs Secure LDES From Hydrostor, ESS Inc. Iron-Salt Acquisition, PowerSecure Microgrids Enhance New Mexico Grid

Why It Matters

The agreements address California’s mandated LDES capacity, enhance grid resilience in vulnerable New Mexico communities, and strengthen ESS’s competitive position in the fast‑growing non‑lithium storage sector.

Key Takeaways

• CC Power secures 50 MW/400 MWh A‑CAES capacity.
• Willow Rock project targets California CPUC mid‑term reliability.
• PowerSecure adds 7.5 MW/38.25 MWh BESS microgrids in NM.
• ESS Inc acquires VoltStorage patents, expands iron‑flow portfolio.
• ESS Q2 2025 revenue jumps 578% despite operating loss.

Pulse Analysis

California’s CPUC has mandated long‑duration storage to bridge the reliability gap between 2023 and 2026, prompting CC Power to lock in a 400 MWh share of Hydrostor’s Willow Rock A‑CAES facility. The project’s hydrostatic compensation design captures compressor heat, improving round‑trip efficiency and offering a scalable alternative to lithium‑ion batteries. By securing this capacity, California CCAs can meet resource‑adequacy requirements while diversifying their storage mix, a trend likely to influence other states facing similar reliability pressures.

In the Southwest, PowerSecure’s partnership with Kit Carson Electric Cooperative illustrates how utilities are leveraging microgrids to mitigate wildfire‑driven outages and public safety power shutoffs. The three sites—Taos Ski Valley, El Rito West, and Penasco—will collectively add 7.5 MW of battery storage, enabling critical loads to operate autonomously during grid disturbances. This deployment aligns with USDA’s recent $231 million rural clean‑energy grant, underscoring federal support for resilient, decentralized energy infrastructure that can integrate solar, hydrogen, and storage assets.

ESS Inc’s acquisition of VoltStorage’s intellectual property marks a strategic push into higher‑capacity iron‑flow systems, positioning the company among the top non‑lithium LDES providers. Despite a steep operating loss, ESS reported a 578% year‑over‑year revenue surge in Q2 2025, driven by demand for its new Energy Base line targeting 12‑14‑hour storage for data centers and large‑scale renewables. The integration of German patents could accelerate cost reductions and performance gains, intensifying competition with other flow‑battery firms and potentially reshaping the economics of long‑duration grid storage.