Tesla Just Turned On The Biggest Lithium-Ion Battery In The World, To Power 30,000 Homes
In South Australia, the battery will augment the state's electrical grid while also serving as an emergency backup.
Tesla has just unveiled its latest completed mega-project, the world¡¯s largest lithium-ion battery. And CEO Elon Musk has just started it up, now providing power to 30,000 homes in South Australia.
The 100-megawatt battery was officially activated earlier today, though it was providing some power yesterday because of the demand raised by the hot local weather.
Reuters
The state of South Australia has been struggling to provide a reliable supply of electricity to its citizens, so this is some much-needed relief. In addition, the large-scale battery storage system has also been connected to a wind farm as a backup in case enough power can¡¯t be generated.
Tesla¡¯s battery division head, Lyndon Rive, had previously made a claim that company could solve South Australia¡¯s electricity woes in just 100 days. When asked to confirm on Twitter whether he was serious about the bet, Musk had a very simple response.
Tesla will get the system installed and working 100 days from contract signature or it is free. That serious enough for you?
¡ª Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 10, 2017
Of course, the state was happy to take him up on the offer, and now that promise has been fulfilled. Musk has claimed his battery is three times more powerful than the next biggest available in the world. And all of this managed just since the plan was approved by the state government on Sept 30.
Instead of 100 days, Tesla took just 60.
Connected to a wind farm run by French energy company Neoen, the battery can power 30,000 homes for an hour when fully charged. However, that¡¯s just an emergency backup. Most of the time, it¡¯ll be used to support the existing power grid and distribution.
