With over four centuries of history in storing virtually every conceivable commodity, Vopak has now made its first move into the electricity storage sector. Vopak Energy Storage Texas, a joint venture between Vopak North America and Sable Power & Gas, is officially operational—marking Vopak’s global debut in energy storage.

Located on a two-acre site in Damon, Texas, VEST consists of two energy storage systems with a combined capacity of 15 MWh (5 MWh and 10 MWh units). The facility is designed to provide short-term peak power and essential ancillary services, including operating reserves and frequency regulation, to enhance grid reliability and reduce the risk of outages. The site is fully interconnected with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the operator of the state’s electricity grid.

The project exemplifies one of Vopak’s core cultural values: courage.
“We are entering into new space with the storage of electricity,” said Maria Ciliberti, president of Vopak US and Canada. “We’re excited about this project – Vopak’s first of its kind globally – but we couldn’t do it without our partner, Sable Power and Gas.”

Leading the project for Vopak were Etienne Sturm, director New Energies; Zachary O’Farrell Huber, manager business development; and Robert “Buck” Bailey, operations and service manager. The idea for VEST emerged in late summer 2023 when Sturm and O’Farrell Huber were evaluating opportunities in long-duration energy storage. A timely opportunity arose via Ascend Analytics, a data-driven energy storage intelligence platform, offering Vopak the chance to take over a development project later named “Bar Bar.”

“The Executive Board (EB) at the time was encouraging us to develop a storage project, whether long- or short-duration,” recalled Sturm. “Shortly after discovering the opportunity through Ascend Analytics, we presented it to the EB, and they gave their approval.”

Crucially, the board had set a clear condition: Vopak would need to find a partner with both matching equity and proven expertise in the electricity markets. O’Farrell Huber, already familiar with Sable Power & Gas, saw a natural fit.
“One of the first names that came to mind for me was Sable Power and Gas,” he said. “I had worked with them in different roles across power transactions. We were already exploring the idea of them consulting for us, so transitioning to a full partnership made perfect sense.”

As with any complex infrastructure initiative, the project faced regulatory and logistical hurdles.“A major challenge was navigating the diverse regulatory requirements,” noted Bailey. “We also worked closely with CenterPoint Energy as they developed new standards for incorporating battery energy storage into their distribution systems.”

Despite the challenges, the collaboration between Vopak and Sable Power & Gas proved instrumental in moving the project from concept to commissioning. With VEST now officially contributing to ERCOT’s grid, Vopak has taken a bold and strategic step into a sector poised to play a central role in the energy transition.

VEST represents not just a technological milestone, but a broader symbol of Vopak’s willingness to evolve and lead in the face of changing energy demands—paving the way for a future powered by flexible, decentralised, and sustainable energy systems.

For more information visit www.vopak.com