Tesla is set to deliver on its promise to complete the world’s largest lithium-ion battery project within 100 days, after the South Australian government today confirmed testing of the high profile installation is about to get underway.
Earlier this year, Tesla chief executive Elon Musk made a public promise to deliver a large scale energy storage project capable of tackling South Australia’s recent grid instability within 100 days, promising that it would be delivered for free if the self-imposed deadline was missed.
The company subsequently won a competitive tender for the 129MWh project and signed a grid connection deal in last September.
South Australia’s State Premier Jay Weatherhill confirmed today that testing of Tesla’s Powerpacks is now set to begin following their installation at a wind farm operated by French developer Neoen.
“While others are just talking, we are delivering our energy plan, making South Australia more self-sufficient, and providing back up power and more affordable energy for South Australians this summer,” he said in a statement.
The hope is the project will be fully online in time for summer demand peaks, minimising the risk of the blackouts that have marred South Australia’s grid in recent years.
Weatherhill said the project would provide an important part of the state’s wider A$550m energy infrastructure upgrade programme, which promises to deliver a wave of new renewables, energy storage, and back-up power plants.
“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 in renewable energy with battery storage,” he said.
Source: businessgreen.com
