Website: [aresnorthamerica.com](https://aresnorthamerica.com) ### Introduction Advanced Rail Energy Storage (ARES) is a company focused on providing innovative energy storage solutions using gravity-based rail technology. Founded in 2010 as a Washington State LLC, ARES aims to address the challenges of grid-scale energy storage by harnessing gravitational potential energy to store and dispatch electricity. The company is headquartered in Santa Barbara, California, though specific employee counts are not publicly available in the latest data. ARES operates as a private entity with no publicly traded ticker symbol, and its mission centers on delivering sustainable, cost-effective, and long-duration energy storage to support the integration of renewable energy into the global electric grid. The technology developed by ARES seeks to provide a utility-scale alternative to traditional battery storage systems, emphasizing sustainability and efficiency with a low environmental footprint. By leveraging proven rail technology and the power of gravity, ARES aims to offer a solution that avoids the degradation issues and thermal runaway risks associated with chemical batteries. The company has positioned itself as a key player in the energy storage sector, targeting the growing demand for reliable storage systems to balance intermittent renewable energy sources like wind and solar. ### Key Products and Technology - **Name and Type**: ARES GravityLine (Gravity-Based Energy Storage System) - **Technical Specifications**: The system uses electric motors to drive mass cars uphill, converting electrical energy into mechanical potential energy, which is then released as electricity when the cars descend. Specific power output in MW or efficiency percentages for current deployments are not widely detailed in recent public data, though ARES claims high efficiency due to minimal energy loss in the process. Historical data suggests systems can be scaled to provide multi-hour storage at utility scale. - **Fuel Type or Energy Source**: The system does not rely on traditional fuels but uses electricity from the grid (ideally from renewable sources) to power the uphill movement of mass cars. Gravity serves as the primary "fuel" for energy release. - **Key Differentiators**: ARES systems boast a 40-year service life with no degradation, no risk of thermal runaway, and use of sustainable materials like recycled steel rails and reclaimable mass cars. The cost is reported to be competitive with or lower than lithium-ion battery storage for long-duration applications. - **Development Stage**: The technology has moved beyond concept to operational pilot projects. A notable project, ARES Nevada, was in development as a 50 MW/12.5 MWh system, though updates on its current status are limited in 2025 data. - **Target Customers**: Primarily utilities and grid operators seeking long-duration energy storage to balance renewable energy intermittency, as well as government and industrial entities focused on sustainable energy infrastructure. ### Regulatory and Licensing Status As a non-nuclear, non-chemical energy storage technology, ARES does not require oversight from bodies like the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Instead, its regulatory pathway involves compliance with local, state, and [[Federal|federal]] energy grid interconnection standards, often managed through agencies like the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for grid-scale projects in the United States. Specific filings or regulatory milestones for ARES projects in 2025 are not detailed in the latest public information, though general notices of filings from FERC in December 2025 indicate ongoing activity in the energy sector ([FederalRegister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/22/2025-23563/combined-notice-of-filings-1)). There are no widely reported barriers to deployment from a regulatory standpoint, as the technology leverages existing rail infrastructure principles. However, project-specific environmental impact assessments and land use permits are likely required for large-scale installations. The estimated timeline to first commercial deployment remains unclear in 2025 updates, with earlier reports suggesting pilot projects like ARES Nevada aimed for operational status in the late 2010s to early 2020s. More recent data on full commercial rollout is not readily available. ### Team and Leadership Current information on ARES leadership is limited in 2025 public records. Historically, the company was led by key figures such as James Kelly, who served as CEO during the initial development phases of projects like ARES Nevada. Specific roles, bios, and current executive updates are not accessible in the latest web data or social media platforms. X handles or LinkedIn profiles for ARES executives could not be verified or located in the available information. The lack of recent updates may indicate a focus on project development over public-facing leadership announcements. ### Funding and Financial Position Detailed financial data for ARES, including total funding raised, latest rounds, or investor information, is not publicly available in the most current 2025 records. As a private company, ARES does not disclose market cap or stock performance data. Earlier reports from the 2010s noted investments and grants for pilot projects, such as the ARES Nevada initiative, but specific figures, dates, or lead investors are not updated in recent sources. There is no mention of key institutional backers or strategic partners in the latest web content. Revenue status remains unclear, with no confirmation of whether ARES has transitioned from pre-revenue to commercial contracts. The company’s focus appears to remain on pilot projects and technology validation rather than widespread commercial scale operations, based on the limited updates available ([aresnorthamerica.com](https://aresnorthamerica.com)). ### Recent News and Developments | Date | Event | Details | |---------------|------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Dec 10, 2025 | Industry Context Update | Dragonfly Energy announced a lithium battery line for rail, indicating broader innovation in rail energy solutions, though not directly tied to ARES ([StockTitan.net](https://www.stocktitan.net/news/DFLI/dragonfly-energy-announces-distribution-partnership-with-national-s0wudn7gdysp.html)). | | Jun 25, 2025 | Sector Green Initiatives | Indian Railways advances green energy with solar plants, reflecting global rail energy trends relevant to ARES’s mission (Post on X by [@RailMinIndia](https://x.com/RailMinIndia)). | | Unknown, 2025 | General Energy Storage Growth | U.S. surpasses 40 GW storage capacity, opening doors for technologies like ARES (Post on X by [@Breakthrough](https://x.com/Breakthrough)). | | Unknown, 2025 | Battery Storage Milestones | Reports of large-scale battery storage projects globally, providing competitive context for ARES (Multiple posts on X). | | Unknown, 2025 | Lack of Specific ARES Updates | No direct news on ARES projects or milestones reported in major 2025 sources, suggesting limited public activity or updates. | Note: The table reflects a scarcity of specific ARES-related events in 2025, with entries focusing on broader industry context due to limited direct reporting. ### Partnerships and Collaborations Specific partnerships for ARES in 2025 or recent years are not well-documented in current public data. Historically, ARES collaborated with entities like Valley Electric Association for the ARES Nevada project, focusing on grid-scale storage demonstrations. However, updates on these partnerships or new agreements with utilities, technology firms, or government programs are absent from the latest web and social media sources. The strategic value of potential partnerships would likely center on integrating ARES systems into existing grid infrastructure to support renewable energy adoption, though no active contracts or offtake agreements are confirmed at this time. ### New Hampshire Relevance ARES’s gravity-based storage technology could have potential relevance for [[New Hampshire]], particularly given the state’s interest in renewable energy integration and grid stability. Proximity to the ISO-NE grid, which manages electricity across New England, offers a feasible connection point for ARES systems to provide long-duration storage and balance intermittent renewable sources. The technology’s readiness for deployment in NH is uncertain, as current operational status and scalability remain underreported in 2025 data. However, if operational, it could align with NH’s legislative initiatives like HB 710, which may support innovative energy solutions, though specific SMR provisions are less directly applicable to non-nuclear technologies like ARES. Potential applications in NH include grid power support to complement wind and solar, as well as addressing peak demand for data centers or industrial facilities in the region. The system’s environmental benefits and long service life could appeal to NH’s focus on sustainability. There are no documented connections or expressed interest from ARES in the Northeast U.S. or NH specifically, but the region’s energy needs and hilly terrain could theoretically suit gravity-based storage if projects are pursued. ### Competitive Position ARES competes in the energy storage market with technologies like lithium-ion batteries (e.g., Tesla’s Megapack), pumped hydro storage, and emerging long-duration solutions like iron-air batteries from companies such as [[Form Energy]]. Compared to lithium-ion systems, ARES offers advantages in longevity (40-year lifespan with no degradation) and sustainability (no chemical waste), but may face challenges in scalability and deployment speed, as battery systems are more modular and widely adopted. Pumped hydro, a more established gravity-based solution, dominates long-duration storage but requires specific geographic conditions and larger capital investment, areas where ARES’s rail-based approach could be more flexible if terrain permits. Risks for ARES include limited public updates on project progress, suggesting potential delays or funding constraints compared to more visible competitors. ### Closing Note Advanced Rail Energy Storage remains at a pivotal stage with innovative gravity-based technology, though its current trajectory and commercial outlook are unclear due to limited 2025 updates. *Report generated December 24, 2025*