Tesla’s 100MW lithium-ion battery has been officially commissioned and started dispensing power into an electricity grid in South Australia.
Said to be the world's largest of its kind, the Tesla Powerpack lithium-ion battery is approximately 15km north of Jamestown in South Australia and is connected to the Hornsdale wind farm, which is operated by French energy company Neoen.
The Tesla Powerpack system, a part of a Hornsdale Power Reserve, was launched by the South Australia Premier Jay Weatherill and Neoen deputy CEO Romain Desrousseaux.
The Tesla Powerpack will be charged using power generated by the Hornsdale wind farm. The charged power is then delivered during peak hours to help maintain the reliable operation of electrical infrastructure in South Australia.
Prior to the launch, the Tesla’s battery has been subjected to regulatory testing validating its ability to both act as a generator and charge to and from the National Energy Market.
Weatherill said: “South Australia is now leading the world in dispatchable renewable energy, delivered to homes and businesses 24/7. This is history in the making.”
Power generated by the wind farm is delivered to the National Electricity Market, providing system security services to South Australia.
Tesla said: “The completion of the world’s largest lithium-ion battery in record time shows that a sustainable, effective energy solution is possible.”
At peak output, the battery has capacity to dispatch enough electricity to power the equivalent of 30,000 homes.
The battery was delivered ahead of the State Government's deadline of the beginning of summer. It was also delivered well ahead of Tesla CEO Elon Musk's self-imposed deadline of "100 days or it's free", just 63 days after the grid connection-agreement was signed.
Image: Illustration of Tesla Powerpack lithium-ion battery and Hornsdale wind farm in South Africa. Photo: courtesy of Tesla.