Powerpack battery system, Jamestown South Australia | Image: Tesla
Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk, have hit the headlines multiple times over the last week – here’s a roundup of some of the major stories.
First up, eight electric vehicle (EV) fast charging stations including four Tesla superchargers and a new dedicated EV parking area adjacent to Adelaide’s Central Market precinct commenced operations last Monday. The Tesla superchargers can provide the Model S and Model X with 270 kilometres of range with just 30 minutes charge time.
“These Tesla and Mitsubishi charging points are one step towards a decarbonised economy – enhancing our city’s reputation as one of the most liveable cities in the world,” said South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill.
The Tesla superchargers are part of an agreement between the South Australia’s Government and Tesla to deliver the world’s largest lithium-ion battery system, currently being constructed near Jamestown in the state’s Mid-North.
100MW/129MWh Battery System On Schedule
On that note, on Friday night Elon Musk announced the inking of a connection agreement with ElectraNet and approval from the Australian Energy Market Operator for the battery installation. Tesla’s had a bit of a head start on its 100-days-or-its-free commitment for the project, with half of the capacity already in place.
RenewEconomy’s Giles Parkinson reported the batteries were providing power to Friday night’s unveiling event and Tesla said it is on schedule to complete the installation in December.
It’s been just over a year since the statewide blackout in SA that became the trigger for the Weatherill Government developing its Energy Plan. In addition to the battery system and among other elements of the Plan will be a solar thermal power plant to be constructed at Port Augusta.
Life On Mars
Mr. Musk’s other major engagement while in South Australia was to unveil further details of Tesla’s rejiggered Mars Mission at the 68th International Astronautical Congress, held in Adelaide last week. Solar power will play an important role to help build the beginnings of and sustain a colony on the red planet.
Logan City Council’s Powerpack
Also last week, Queensland’s Logan City Council announced it had installed Australia’s first off-grid solar + Tesla Powerpack installation. The system is being used to power water disinfection in the city’s south west corner and has already delivered Council a capital cost saving of $1.9 million, plus operational cost savings of almost $50,000 per year.
Disaster Recovery Assistance
Overseas now and Tesla has its boots firmly on the ground in disaster-struck Puerto Rico, assisting in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria through the provision of energy storage. Tesla confirmed to Electrek that the company has been sending “hundreds” of battery packs to the blackout-plagued island since the Category 5 hurricane cut a wide and very destructive path through the region early in September.
Powerwall 2 Waiting List
Demand for Tesla batteries has been such that it appears Australian households wanting to get their hands on a Powerwall 2 may be in for a wait of up six months in some areas. However, home energy storage isn’t just about Powerwall – other battery systems are currently available in Australia.
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Powerwall 2 Waiting List
Demand for Tesla batteries has been such that it appears Australian households wanting to get their hands on a Powerwall 2 may be in for a wait of up six months in some areas. However, home energy storage isn’t just about Powerwall – other battery systems are currently available in Australia.
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And, apparently, Tesla batteries are outlawed in WA, for domestic use, even if and when they are available (kind of reminds me of that proverb – “I believe in dragons, good men, and other mythical creatures”).
Do Tesla Powerwall 2 batteries, really exist, or, are they no more than a figment of Elon Musk’s imagination?
And, will WA advance to the twentieth century (at present, it has no hope of ever getting to the twenty-first century), and, allow storage batteries to be connected to domestic rooftop photovoltaic systems connected to the (SWIS) grid?
I have just had my solar pv installed thanks to this site. The guys I went with were one of the few to recommend not getting a battery and once I had read about some of the figures I came to the conclusion that buying the mythical Tesla battery prevents me from buying or upgrading my car at least it will be worth (the car that is ) something after 10 years LOL. Great marketing from the tesla people by making it the premium product and then having a shortage and be put on a waiting list for six months LOL. I had a friend tell me that the batteries will last 25 years and was quoting all the “Harry Potter” payback years after listening to some idiot on the radio. After explaining a few facts and doing some bold numbers still wanted to walk down the yellow brick road. I came to the conclusion that a lot of people are being really led up the garden path when it comes to solar and batteries and don’t want to be informed just looking for a quick fix to their perceived energy issues.
Tesla isn’t the only battery supplier, and there are some that are better and safer than Teslas. Our 5kw solar plus 4.8 kwh battery has a 7 year return on investment, and replaces our power bill (consumption plus service fees) when averaged over a year. The battery is an essential part of that