Elon Musk’s Tesla to build giant battery for SA
Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk’s Tesla will help build the world’s largest lithium ion battery in South Australia before summer.
US-based Tesla and French company Neoen will build the world’s largest lithium ion battery in South Australia with plans to complete construction before summer.
The 129 MW per hour plant will be built at Jamestown, expanding Neoen’s Hornsdsle Wind Farm, two hours north of Adelaide.
Tesla owner Elon Musk, who is worth more than $US16 billion, arrived in Adelaide this morning for the announcement, where he pledged to build the battery storage facility within 100 days or provide it for free to the South Australian government. Mr Musk refused to say how much the battery system would cost.
“This is going to be the largest battery station in the world by a significant margin, this is 100MW battery, the next biggest battery system in the world is 30MW,” Mr Musk said.
“So we’re talking about something that is three times as powerful as the next biggest battery station in the world ... we’d be held to the 100 days or it’s free.”
Mr Musk said the project would result in cheaper electricity for consumers, with wind power from the Horsdale plant being stored for use at times when the winds were not blowing.
He said the project was “beyond anything else in the world” and would be the future of energy storage.
The project is tipped to create hundreds of jobs in the construction phase, and it is planned to be completed by December 1.
In a statement, Tesla said: “This week, through a competitive bidding process, Tesla was selected to provide a 100 MW/129 MWh Powerpack system to be paired with global renewable energy provider Neoen’s Hornsdale Wind Farm near Jamestown, South Australia. Tesla was awarded the entire energy storage system component of the project.
This will be the highest power battery system in the world by a factor of 3. Australia rocks!! https://t.co/c1DD7xtC90
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 7, 2017
“Tesla Powerpack will charge using renewable energy from the Hornsdale Wind Farm and then deliver electricity during peak hours to help maintain the reliable operation of South Australia’s electrical infrastructure. The Tesla Powerpack system will further transform the state’s movement towards renewable energy and see an advancement of a resilient and modern grid.
“Upon completion by December 2017, this system will be the largest lithium-ion battery storage project in the world and will provide enough power for more than 30,000 homes, approximately equal to the amount of homes that lost power during the blackout period.’
“Working in close collaboration with the South Australian Government and Neoen, this grid scale energy storage project is not only sustainable, but will help solve power shortages, reduce intermittencies, and manage summertime peak load to improve the reliability of South Australia’s electrical infrastructure.”
Media management
At a press conference in Adelaide, the South Australian Premier’s office warned journalists not to ask Mr Musk any questions relating to issues other than energy, saying special guests “may leave the stage”.
After making media wait for 90 minutes for the event, reporters were allowed to ask questions in a question-and-answer format tightly-controlled by Mr Weatherill.
Mr Musk has had a rough week as the head of Tesla. The company’s shares have dropped almost 20 per cent since late June, and late last week it announced it would not be able to produce as many electric cars as anticipated due to a battery production shortages.
Neoen deputy chief executive Romain Desrouseaux said the project was a pilot to show how wind and battery storage can be integrated to deliver long-term, sustainable energy solutions.
To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register
Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout