TESLA BATTERY POWERS UP AUSTRALIA
Musk narrowly beats 100-day deadline to meet demand of energy-starved region
THE world’s biggest battery was officially launched in Australia yesterday, a day after the Elon Musk-driven project was powered up early to meet demand amid a bout of hot weather, said officials.
Musk’s Tesla built the Powerpack system, which can provide electricity for more than 30,000 homes, to ease South Australia’s energy woes after the state was hit with a total blackout following an “unprecedented” storm.
The maverick billionaire earlier this year offered on Twitter to build the battery farm, and completed it last week to narrowly beat his self-imposed deadline of having it ready in 100 days.
“South Australia is now leading the world in dispatchable renewable energy, delivered to homes and businesses 24/7,” said state Premier Jay Weatherill yesterday at the launch to coincide with the first day of summer.
“This is history in the making.” The 100MW/129 MWh battery, located in the rural town of Jamestown north of here and connected to a wind farm operated by French energy firm Neoen, was switched on a day early, just as temperatures soared in the state.
The Australian Energy Market Operator said it delivered 70MW of stored wind energy into the state’s market to meet peak demand on Thursday.
The battery farm was expected to help tackle power shortages, reduce intermittencies and address demands in summer, when most of the country experiences its highest energy usage. AFP