The Australian Oil & Gas Review
MEGA BATTERY FLIPS THE SWITCH
US tech giant Tesla has turned on the world's largest lithium ion battery in South Australia ahead of the State Government’s beginning of summer deadline. The battery complex, called the Hornsdale Power Reserve, was completed within 63 days of Tesla chief executive Elon Musk’s ‘100 days or its free’ deadline. In a statement Tesla said the completion of the 100 megawatt (MW) battery in record time proved a “sustainable, effective energy solution is possible”. “We are proud to be part of South Australia’s renewable energy future, and hope this project provides a model for future deployments around the world,” Tesla stated. “The South Australian Government should be congratulated for ensuring their energy supply is not only sustainable, but will help solve power shortages, reduce variability, and manage summertime peak load.” The battery, 200km north of Adelaide, is connected to Neoen’s 99 turbine Hornsdale wind farm and will deliver 129 megawatt-hours (MWH) of clean energy during peak hours; enough to power more than 30,000 homes. The project comprises a series of 100kwh Tesla Powerpack battery storage units, which will allow wind energy to be delivered to the grid at any time, whether the wind is blowing or not, and provide emergency back-up power if a shortfall in energy is predicted. It would also help significantly reduce the millions of dollars the State was paying for services to keep the national energy grid in balance. South Australia Premier Weatherill said the State was now leading the world in dispatchable renewable energy, which could be delivered to homes and businesses 24/7. “This is history in the making,” Mr Weatherill said. “Neoen and Tesla approached the State Government with their bold plan to deliver this project, and they have met all of their commitments, ensuring South Australia has back up power this summer.”
“The South Australian Government should be congratulated for ensuring their energy supply is not only sustainable, but will help solve power shortages, reduce variability, and manage summertime peak load.”