ELON MUSK HAS FULFILLED HIS PROMISE
With the aim of preventing blackouts, earlier this year, Elon Musk started building a vast megabattery for the outback in South Australia. These blackouts had been a major issue for the region. He also had a bet (upon which he wagered the cost of his project to an estimate of $50 million) and to be completed within just 100 days. Musk has completed and fulfilled his promise because he was able to build it in less than 100 days, now the local authorities will have to pay him $50 million for his giant battery.
Also a good news for the region, the extensive lithium-ion Tesla battery will even begin testing earlier than Musk’s December 1st deadline. After the storm just last year, the mentioned area was hit with a state-wide, major blackouts where the storm winds literally ripped transmission towers out of the ground.
In a statement, State Premier Jay Weatherill said, “South Australia is set to have backup power in place this summer through the world’s largest lithium-ion battery, which is set to be energized for the first time in the coming days as it enters a phase of regulatory testing.“
MEGABATTERY: The Life-Saver
These days, to ensure the energy availability, the battery capacity is becoming more and more important as renewable energy sources advances. Such a battery is fundamental in a place like the southern Australian outback where the occurrence of these blackouts are relatively common and dangerous.
In the megabattery that Musk developed, wind energy will be stored for use during emergencies.
Neoen, a French operated energy firm is where the megabattery will be connected. In the event of a crisis, this megabattery will be so enormous that it could hold enough energy to power and supply even a thousands of homes. It will also support Australia’s continued pursuit in switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy, and not just allow the state to be prepared in case of emergencies.
And as Australia takes careful steps towards their ultimate goals, achievements like the megabattery will allow for energy to be stored efficiently like that created from the wind farms.