Tesla Finishes Monumental Powerpack System
Tesla has finished installing its massive Powerpack system in South Australia, officially becoming the world’s largest lithium-ion battery.
Capable of powering over 30,000 homes, the colossal battery project was finished ahead of schedule too—at least according to a 100-day deadline Tesla CEO Elon Musk set for the company.
Musk made a wager in March on Twitter, proclaiming if the project wasn’t finished in 100 days from when the contract was signed, he’d cover the estimated $50-million bill. But when he launched the 100-day countdown on September 29, the project was already well underway.
Tesla’s colossal battery is connected to Neoen’s Hornsdale Wind Farm near Jamestown, both built after being awarded government contracts in July.
“While others are just talking, we are delivering our energy plan, making South Australia more self-sufficient, and providing backup power and more affordable energy for South Australians this summer,” said South Australia Premier Jay Weatherill in a statement.
The Powerpack system will charge using renewable energy from the wind farm and store power that can be used to alleviate some of the energy demand on the region’s electricity grid.
“The world’s largest lithium-ion battery will be an important part of our energy mix, and it sends the clearest message that South Australia will be a leader renewable energy with battery storage,” Weatherill added.
The sustainable solution stemmed from an energy crisis in the region. In September 2016, South Australia was hit with severe storms, causing widespread blackouts and leaving 1.7 million residents without electricity.
The battery project and wind farm are part of South Australia’s $550 million Energy Plan to secure clean, affordable and reliable energy, independent of the country’s federal government.
Tesla’s Powerpack system still has to undergo its final testing. The battery will enter regulatory testing in the next few days before becoming fully operational on December 1.
After that, the Powerpack system will head to a much different part of the world—the island of Nantucket in Massachusetts.
