Elon Musk has done it again. The biggest lithium ion battery in South Australia has been completed in less than 100 days!
“100 days from contract signature or it’s free,” Musk tweeted at the time, in a deal initially negotiated over Twitter. Musk is ahead of schedule (which is an achievement for Tesla) who finished it within two months. The 100MW battery is set to be energized and tested in the coming days, according to a press release from the South Australia’s local state government.
Made to store renewable energy, Tesla’s battery has 100 megawatts of capacity. It will begin operating on December 1st after running tests to ensure local regulatory requirements. Tesla Powerpacks have been installed at Neoen’s Hornsdale windfarm, north of Adelaide.
Tesla will get the system installed and working 100 days from contract signature or it is free. That serious enough for you?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 10, 2017
“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 [sic] renewable energy with battery storage. An enormous amount of work has gone into delivering this project in such a short time.” South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill said in a statement.
The South Australia government was prompted to review its energy supply systems last year after the region was rocked by a massive storm described as a one-in-50-year weather event that suffered a state wide blackout last September to over 1.7 million state residents.
“Tesla’s 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 and will further transform the state’s movement towards renewable energy and see an advancement of a resilient and modern grid.” Musk’s company said.
