Tesla Megapack, previously known as the Powerpack 2, has been upgraded to support twice the storage capacity of its predecessor, the Powerpack 1, at 500 kWh. The new version of Tesla Megapack will be used primarily in the United Kingdom, where this week it was connected to its first commercial installation at Pillswood Energy Park in Cottingham. There are currently over 100 megawatts of Tesla megawatt-hour batteries deployed around the world supporting hundreds of megawatts of clean power generation capacity. Here are some things you should know about Tesla’s latest battery project…
Tesla’s Mission
Tesla Energy is a global leader in energy storage. We believe that sustainable energy sources, like solar and wind power, will be key to improving life on earth.
That’s why we’ve created products that make renewable energy more affordable and reliable for everyone.
We’re also pioneering ways to use battery technology for new applications beyond our current product offerings.
The result? A powerful, scalable energy storage solution for commercial and utility-scale projects.
Introducing the Tesla Megapack: Battery storage system with the highest power density in the world. We designed the Megapack from the ground up with input from industry experts in energy storage engineering, procurement, finance and risk management.
When it comes to deploying clean energy on a large scale, there are many different approaches to solving energy storage challenges.
For instance, some technologies provide energy storage over longer periods of time than others – some can store for days or weeks at a time; others can provide an instantaneous response when needed.
With this diversity of solutions available to customers, we wanted our Megapacks to offer maximum flexibility by providing both fast response and long duration capacity.
What are Tesla Megapacks?
Tesla Megapacks are energy storage systems built on Tesla’s Powerpack technology.
In order to meet demand at different times, these facilities store solar and wind energy.
They can be used at the grid level to stabilize power, or for large-scale commercial applications such as this one in Cottingham.
Tesla Megapacks are designed for more than just utility-scale projects, so they can also help you save money on your home energy bills by storing excess solar and wind power to use later when you need it most.
For example, if you generate electricity from renewable sources like solar panels during off-peak hours (usually overnight), a Tesla Megapack would allow you to hold onto that energy until peak hours, then sell it back to the grid to get a credit.
You’ll come out ahead because off-peak energy rates are cheaper than peak ones. And you’ll never have to worry about blackouts again—even when the grid goes down, your stored energy will keep powering your lights and appliances.
That’s because all of our energy storage systems come with three levels of battery protection: redundant batteries, dynamic circuit breakers and buss isolation.
Tesla Megapacks are available today across North America, Europe and Asia through Tesla Energy’s global network of installers.
How do Megapacks Benefit the Environment?
Energy storage is an important piece of a sustainable energy future.
Today, only about 5% of U.S. electricity comes from renewable sources such as solar and wind, but this will need to increase substantially to reach our climate goals.
Energy storage provides a bridge to get us there. It’s like a rechargeable battery for your electric car—but for the grid!
The new system at Pillswood will produce enough power to supply over 4000 homes in Yorkshire with clean electricity during peak hours and support local renewables efforts as well as help manage intermittency on the grid.
Energy storage systems are also ideal for utilities that have excess generating capacity during times of high demand or low energy prices when they can be used to meet customer needs by providing additional energy at other times.
For example, the Texas-based utility ERCOT deployed some 830 MW of energy storage in 2016 alone, equivalent to storing nearly two days worth of state-wide energy demand.
A single Megapack (pictured above) offers more than 12 MWh of stored energy, which means it could deliver up to 36 MW for four hours – nearly as much as 18 turbine generators combined.
By contrast, lithium ion batteries provide less than half that much power output per unit mass and volume.
As a result we can afford more batteries per dollar spent – helping bring down costs across the board for home owners who want battery backup solutions, electric vehicle drivers looking to charge their vehicles faster at home and utilities wanting to expand their use of renewable energy without increasing their transmission infrastructure costs.
What are Some Applications for Megapacks?
Applications for megapacks vary, but they are particularly well suited to large-scale energy storage. Energy storage is a growing problem across Europe as renewable energy sources continue to become more and more prominent in power generation.
With such unpredictable weather patterns, there is a need for additional sources of power that can be called on quickly.
Batteries are not only able to provide quick bursts of power, but they also have the potential to store excess renewable energy generated during periods with high winds or strong sunlight.
This system provides European homes with access to sustainable electricity even when wind turbines stop spinning and solar panels go offline at night.
Energy storage will allow utilities to rely less on fossil fuels and help meet targets set by the European Union by 2027.
As renewables continue to grow in popularity around the world, battery technologies will evolve alongside them; innovations like megapacks represent just one step forward towards a brighter future.
How do I Get a Tesla Megapack?
The Tesla Megapack is designed for applications like stabilizing grid frequency, reducing peak demand charges and addressing variability of renewable power.
What sets this battery storage system apart from other energy storage solutions on the market is its power output.
The Tesla Megapack offers an unparalleled utility-scale energy storage solution.
To learn more about how to get a Tesla Megapack, click here!
It’s hard to imagine that battery storage technology has advanced so much since its inception in 1859.
Today’s high-powered lithium ion batteries can be found in everything from your cell phone and laptop computer to high-end electric vehicles like Tesla cars.
However, what sets them apart is not just their durability or long lifespan but also their power output.
That’s why even traditional applications like stabilization of grid frequency require battery systems which produce higher voltage levels than those found on today’s market.
At 24 MW and 196 MWh, our newest product is one of the most powerful energy storage systems available on today’s market.