Elon Musk works his magic Down Under
– 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.
South African-born 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 in 2016, following an “unprecedented” storm.
The maverick billionaire earlier this year offered on Twitter to build the battery farm. He 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,” state premier Jay Weatherill said yesterday at the launch. “This is history in the making.” The 100MW/129MWh battery, located in the rural town of
Adelaide
Jamestown, north of Adelaide, and connected to a wind farm operated by French energy firm Neoen, was switched on a day early, just as temperatures soared.
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 is expected to help address demands. –