Tesla's Massive Virtual Power Plant in South Australia Roars Back to Life
25 May 2018
Renewable Energy
Powerwall residential battery with solar panels. Tesla
Tesla's plans to build the world's largest virtual power plant in South Australia will proceed after all.
The $800 million (US $634 million) project—struck in February by Tesla CEO Elon Musk and former South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill—involves installing solar panels and batteries on 50,000 homes to function as an interconnected power plant.
<p>
But the plan was nearly scrapped under the new state government headed by Liberal leader Steven Marshall, who was elected in March. Marshall's government had their own plan to offer discounts on battery storage for 40,000 homes.
</p><p>
In a happy twist, Energy Minister Dan van Holst Pellekaan announced at the Australian Energy Conference this week the newly elected government would proceed with both plans.
</p><p>
"It's very important to be clear about this—we are honoring the existing commitments around the Tesla virtual power plant (VPP)," he said, as quoted by Australia's <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-24/tesla-battery-plan-gets-green-light-from-sa-liberals/9794486" target="_blank">ABC News</a>.
</p><p>
Van Holst Pellekaan, who met with Tesla soon after he was sworn in, added that he wants South Australia to become a world leader in home battery installation.
</p><p>
By doubling down, the state will eventually emerge with some 100,000 household batteries, or more than one in ten homes, <a href="https://reneweconomy.com.au/sa-liberals-vow-to-continue-energy-transition-go-big-in-batteries-93367/" target="_blank">Renew Economy</a> noted.
</p><p>
<span></span>"We'll show the world how the mass adoption of home batteries can and will work," he said. "This is a complicated task—I don't think that anyone has attempted to do what we're about to do at this scale relative to population and market size."
</p><p>
The virtual power plant involves installing a 5-kilowatt solar system and a Powerwall 2 battery on roughly 50,000 low-income and social housing units across the state over the next four years. The setup would be installed at no charge to the households and financed through the sale of electricity. Participants would save an estimated 30 percent on their power bills.
</p><p>
"My government has already delivered the world's biggest battery, now we will deliver the world's largest virtual power plant," Weatherill said then. "We will use people's homes as a way to generate energy for the South Australian grid, with participating households benefiting with significant savings in their energy bills.
</p><p>
Tesla
<a href="https://phys.org/news/2018-02-tesla-australia-homes-power.html" target="_blank">told</a> AFP that the virtual power plant would have 250 megawatts of solar energy and 650 megawatt hours of battery storage.
</p><p>
<span></span>"At key moments, the virtual power plant could provide as much capacity as a large gas turbine or coal power plant," the company added.
</p><p>
Van Holst Pellekaan also said at the Australian Energy Conference that the trial phase, which starts with installing home energy systems on 1,100 public housing properties, is currently proceeding.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="8953f" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="E6WSTZ1576662768"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="996038531817537537" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Tesla's Giant Australian Battery Saved Consumers $35 Million in Four Months https://t.co/0sgrLy8vaF @Tesla… https://t.co/1XIeb68OZp</div> — EcoWatch (@EcoWatch)<a href="https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/statuses/996038531817537537">1526309066.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p>
Read More
Show Less
EcoWatch Daily Newsletter
Tesla's Giant Australian Battery Saved Consumers $35 Million in Four Months
14 May 2018
Renewable Energy
Tesla's Powerpack battery system in South Australia is charged by a nearby wind farm. Tesla
Since switching on in December, Tesla's massive battery in South Australia has already drastically lowered prices in the region's frequency and ancillary services market (FCAS) and has taken a major share of that market, Renew Economy reported.
During Australian Energy Week, McKinsey and Co. partner Godart van Gendt boasted about the stunning efficiency of the 100-megawatt Powerpack system, which is connected to Neoen's Hornsdale wind farm.
<p>
"In the first four months of operations of the Hornsdale Power Reserve, the frequency ancillary services prices went down by 90 percent, so that's 9-0 per cent," van Gendt said Thursday, as quoted by Renew Economy.
</p><p>
"And the 100 megawatt battery has achieved over 55 percent of the FCAS revenues in South Australia. So it's 2 percent of the capacity in South Australia achieving 55 percent of the revenues in South Australia."
</p><p>
The Australian Energy Market Operator calls upon the FCAS to provide back-up energy whenever generators fail or fall short. This service has typically relied upon costly gas generators and steam turbines, with electricity rates up to $14,000 per megawatt during these outages.
</p><p>
But Tesla's big battery, which was
<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tesla-worlds-largest-battery-2512145319.html">designed</a> to feed South Australia's unstable power grid, has changed the game. Whenever it has needed to discharge its power to the grid, costs have hovered as low as $270 per megawatt, as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/feb/06/how-teslas-big-battery-is-bringing-australias-gas-cartel-to-heel" target="_blank">The Guardian</a> noted.
</p><p>
As Renew Economy noted, "various estimates have put the cost savings to consumers from the FCAS market alone at around $35 million, just in the first four months of its operation."
</p><p>What's more, the Powerpack system has responded much quicker to power outages (<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tesla-australia-battery-2520491667.html" target="_blank">within milliseconds</a>), with the benefit of no greenhouse gas emissions.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="451b9" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="FNKOCG1576683818"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="954073189289791488" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Battery Storage Revolution Could 'Sound the Death Knell for Fossil Fuels' https://t.co/HXbegsfUqn @Tesla @elonmusk… https://t.co/7d7APPuBUd</div> — EcoWatch (@EcoWatch)<a href="https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/statuses/954073189289791488">1516303748.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p>
From Your Site Articles
Related Articles Around the Web
Read More
Show Less
Like many other plant-based foods and products, CBD oil is one dietary supplement where "organic" labels are very important to consumers. However, there are little to no regulations within the hemp industry when it comes to deeming a product as organic, which makes it increasingly difficult for shoppers to find the best CBD oil products available on the market.
<p>Here you can learn about the importance of organic hemp oil, why it's better for the environment, and which CBD companies actually make trustworthy products with sustainable farming processes. origins which weigh heavily on many consumers who want to buy a product that's produced in the best way possible for not only themselves to ingest, but for the environment as well through sustainable farming methods. </p><h2>What Is CBD Oil?</h2><p>First things first, CBD stands for cannabidiol, and it's a cannabinoid found within cannabis sativa plants. This plant compound is believed to have many potential benefits, and it is primarily derived from hemp plants via a CO2 extraction process. </p><p>Since CBD is extracted from industrial hemp, which contains only trace amounts of THC (the psychoactive component in cannabis plants), this means that CBD won't make you feel high like marijuana, which has much higher levels of THC that causes psychoactive effects. Instead, the effects of CBD are much more subtle and promote a general sense of calm and relaxation in most users.</p><h2>What Makes a CBD Oil Organic?</h2><p>In terms of organic labels, perhaps the most important (and prominent) certification comes from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This government organization has been labeling foods as "organic" for many years, but what exactly does this certification entail? Essentially, a label indicating that a product is "USDA Organic" or "Certified Organic" means that at least 95% of the ingredients are obtained from organic sources.</p><p>For a crop to be considered organic by the USDA, it must be grown without the use of industrial solvents, irradiation, genetic engineering (GMOs), synthetic pesticides, or chemical fertilizer. Instead, farmers rely on natural substances and <a href="https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2012/03/22/organic-101-what-usda-organic-label-means" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">mechanical, physical, or biologically based farming</a> techniques to cultivate healthy and organic crops.</p><p>Before the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, no hemp-derived products could be dubbed as "certified organic" since the hemp plant and its extracts were still categorized as a Schedule I Controlled Substance. However, it's still difficult for CBD companies to obtain a USDA certified organic label for their products due to the legal grey area that still surrounds CBD extracts. </p><p>Because of these challenges, and due to the fact that industrial hemp has only recently become an agricultural crop, very few CBD oils are USDA certified organic. Rather, many CBD products contain hemp extracts from plants that were grown in organic conditions but may not be federally certified.</p><h2>What are the Best Organic CBD Oil Brands?</h2><p><em>Each product featured here has been independently selected by the writer. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.</em></p><em><br></em>
<h2>Why Organic Hemp Oil Matters</h2><p>Hemp is a unique plant, not only for its rich cannabinoid content, but also for its ability to absorb a wide variety of components in soil. But this trait poses great risks when it comes to the creation of CBD products derived from hemp.</p><p>Because hemp has a high capacity for compound uptake, this means that the plants can retain <a href="https://www.remedyreview.com/industry/lab-test-results/" target="_blank">harmful chemicals like pesticides</a>, heavy metals, and other residual solvents. This is especially true when it comes to synthetic chemicals that are more toxic to humans, and difficult to remove once they have been absorbed by the hemp plant.</p><p>Organic farming practices help reduce the risk of hemp crops absorbing harsh chemicals that may later end up in CBD oil after extraction. When you're taking CBD as a wellness supplement to help alleviate your symptoms or improve your overall well-being, the last thing you want is to ingest compounds that might negatively outweigh the benefits of CBD. This is an important reason to look for third party lab test results when shopping for CBD products since these certificates of analysis can show the full cannabinoid and terpene profile of a hemp extract, as well as test results that search for the presence of any residual solvents.</p><p>In addition to creating a better end product, organic farming practices are also better for the environment. Sustainable and organic farming methods may <a href="https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-eating/organic-foods.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">reduce pollution, conserve water, reduce soil erosion, increase soil fertility, and use less energy</a>. The use of natural pest deterrents as opposed to chemical pesticides is also better for nearby animal populations and ecosystems.</p><h3>Organic vs. Natural</h3><p>While there are only a select few companies offering certified organic ingredients in their products, almost every brand in the CBD market creates "natural" products. The term "all-natural" or "plant-based" does not mean that a product is organic, and since hemp oil is a natural derivative of hemp plants, these products are often referred to as all-natural. However, there are some synthetic CBD oils that should be avoided because they are chemically constructed and may produce unwanted side effects that are not caused by naturally derived CBD extracts.</p><h2>What are the Benefits of Organic CBD Oil?</h2><p>There's a long list of potential CBD oil health benefits, and some of the most common wellness advantages include:</p><ul class="ee-ul"><li><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2503660/" target="_blank">Chronic pain relief</a></li><li><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/" target="_blank">Anti-anxiety effects</a></li><li>Better sleep</li><li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/inner-source/201901/cbd-oil-mental-health-should-you-take-it-too" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Improvements in mood</a></li><li>Internal balance and regulation</li></ul><p>When dealing with pain, inflammation, sleep issues, and mental health struggles, it can be hard to find sufficient treatment options. The use of certain prescriptions can cause unwanted side effects, yet they are often the only solution for patients with these medical conditions. In search of other therapies, people have started to flock towards CBD oil as an alternative remedy for a variety of conditions. However, it should be noted that CBD products are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and you should seek your doctor's advice before using CBD if you have a serious medical condition.</p><h2>Look at the Labels Before You Buy CBD Oil</h2><p>When you go online to buy CBD oil, you'll quickly realize there is an overwhelming number of brands that are saturating the market. It can be difficult to determine which products are truly as good as they make themselves out to be. Always look for up-to-date third-party lab tests so you know you are getting a great product, and don't hesitate to contact the brand if you have any additional questions. And if you're intent on purchasing 100% organic CBD oil, it's best to look for certified products or brands that are held to strict regulatory standards.</p><p><strong>Melena Gurganus </strong>is the Reviews Editor at EcoWatch. She is passionate health and wellness and her writing aims to help others find products they can trust. Her work has been featured in publications such as Health, Shape, Huffington Post, Cannabis Business Times, and Bustle.<br></p>
Spruce
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY4NjI3OC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyOTM2NzgzOX0.axY0HjeqRctJsR_KmDLctzDpUBLBN-oNIdqaXDb4caQ/img.jpg?width=980" id="774be" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="8379f35b1ca8a86d0e61b7d4bfc8b46e" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="spruce organic cbd oil" data-width="710" data-height="959" /><p>As one of the best brands in the business, Spruce CBD is well-known for its potent CBD oils that feature many additional beneficial phytocannabinoids. This brand works with two family-owned, sustainably focused farms in the USA (one located in Kentucky and one in North Carolina) to create its organic, small product batches. The max potency Spruce CBD oil contains 2400mg of full-spectrum CBD extract, but the brand also offers a lower strength tincture with 750mg of CBD in total.</p>
$89
CBDistillery
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDcwMjkzNC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyMTU4OTM4Nn0.ypRdeDSBcE87slYrFfVrRwtJ2qGIK6FD5jBB4pndTMo/img.jpg?width=980" id="b473b" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="9930b53c9d58cb49774640a61c3e3e75" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="cbdistillery cbd oil" data-width="1244" data-height="1244" /><p>All of the products from CBDistillery are <a href="https://ushempauthority.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">U.S. Hemp Authority Certified</a>, and for good reason. The company only uses non-GMO and pesticide-free industrial hemp that's grown organically on Colorado farms. Its hemp oils are some of the most affordable CBD products on the market, yet they still maintain a high standard of quality. CBDistillery has a wide variety of CBD potencies across its product line (ranging from 500mg to 5000mg per bottle) and offers both full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD oils to give customers a completely thc-free option.</p>
$35
FAB CBD
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY4NjIyNS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2NDIwOTEyMn0.MlTjz096FJ0ev_-soK7_Z-FeQeJczWoeh9Qi9SSkHsY/img.jpg?width=980" id="04b26" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="76aa4862f44603242e318982acea6646" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="fab cbd oil" data-width="800" data-height="800" /><p>For an organic CBD oil that has it all, FAB CBD offers plenty of variety for any type of consumer. All of its products are made with zero pesticides and extracted from organically grown Colorado industrial hemp. FAB CBD oil comes in five all-natural flavors (mint, vanilla, berry, citrus, and natural) and is also available in four strengths (300, 600, 1200, and 2400mg per bottle).</p>
$39
NuLeaf Naturals
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY4NjIxOS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1NzExNTgyMX0.D6qMGYllKTsVhEkQ-L_GzpDHVu60a-tJKcio7M1Ssmc/img.jpg?width=980" id="94e4a" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3609a52479675730893a45a82a03c71d" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="nuleaf naturals organic cbd oil" data-width="600" data-height="600" /><p>As an industry-leading brand, it comes as no surprise that NuLeaf Naturals sources its CBD extract from organic hemp plants grown on licensed farms in Colorado. The comany's CBD oils only contain two ingredients: USDA certified organic hemp seed oil and full spectrum hemp extract.</p><p>NuLeaf Naturals uses one proprietary CBD oil formula for all of its products, so you will get the same CBD potency in each tincture (60mg per mL), but can purchase different bottle sizes depending on how much you intend to use.</p>
$38.50
Charlotte's Web
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDcwMjk3NS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0MzQ0NjM4N30.SaQ85SK10-MWjN3PwHo2RqpiUBdjhD0IRnHKTqKaU7Q/img.jpg?width=980" id="84700" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a2174067dcc0c4094be25b3472ce08c8" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="charlottes web cbd oil" data-width="1244" data-height="1244" /><p>Perhaps one of the most well-known brands in the CBD landscape, Charlotte's Web has been growing sustainable hemp plants for several years. The company is currently in the process of achieving official USDA Organic Certification, but it already practices organic and sustainable cultivation techniques to enhance the overall health of the soil and the hemp plants themselves, which creates some of the highest quality CBD extracts. Charlotte's Web offers CBD oils in a range of different concentration options, and some even come in a few flavor options such as chocolate mint, orange blossom, and lemon twist.</p>
$60
From Your Site Articles
- Best CBD Oils of 2020: Reviews & Buying Guide - EcoWatch ›
- Best CBD Oil for Pain Management - Top 10 CBD Oil Review 2020 ... ›
- Best CBD for Dogs 2020 - Organic CBD Oil for Pets - EcoWatch ›
- Full Spectrum CBD Oil: What To Know - EcoWatch ›
- Charlotte's Web: A Review of the Certified B Corp CBD Brand ›
- Best CBD Waters: Plus All You Need to Know - EcoWatch ›
- The Best Water Soluble CBD Available Online - EcoWatch ›
- Best CBD for Sleep (Lab-Tested, Person-Tested Oils) - EcoWatch ›
- CBD Oil for Dogs: 7 Benefits & Treatment Guide - EcoWatch ›
- NuLeaf Naturals CBD Review | Are They Worth The Cost? - EcoWatch ›
- Best CBD Capsules & Pills - Buyer's Guide (Update for 2021) - EcoWatch ›
- Because Price Matters: Most Affordable CBD Oils of 2021 - EcoWatch ›
- Strongest CBD Oils to Buy in 2021? - EcoWatch ›
- Best CBD Oils For Pain: Top 3 Brands of 2021 - EcoWatch ›
- Best CBD Vape Pen: Top Brands of 2020 - EcoWatch ›
Related Articles Around the Web
Read More
Show Less
World's Largest Virtual Power Plant Coming to Australia in Deal With Tesla
05 February 2018
Renewable Energy
A home with a Powerwall 2 and solar panels. Tesla
South Australia—already home to the world's largest battery—will soon host the world's largest virtual solar plant under a landmark plan from Tesla CEO Elon Musk and the state government.
The plan involves installing a 5-kilowatt solar system and a Tesla Powerwall 2 battery on roughly 50,000 homes across the state over the next four years. The setup will be installed at no charge to the households and financed through the sale of electricity.
<p style="">
The entire system will function as an interconnected power plant all while cutting power bills for participants by an estimated 30 percent.
</p><p style="">
"My government has already delivered the world's biggest battery, now we will deliver the world's largest virtual power plant," South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill said.
</p><p style="">
"We will use people's homes as a way to generate energy for the South Australian grid, with participating households benefiting with significant savings in their energy bills."
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="70e5e" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="6RDP7B1576662820"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="960084342956371969" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">4000+ people have already registered their interest to be part of the world's biggest Virtual Power Plant, right he… https://t.co/l8ujO7oYZk</div> — Jay Weatherill (@Jay Weatherill)<a href="https://twitter.com/JayWeatherill/statuses/960084342956371969">1517736919.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p><p style="">
The trial phase, which has already commenced, will start with 1,100 public housing properties. After the trial period, another 24,000 public housing properties will receive the systems before opening up to other South Australian households.
</p><p style="">
Weatherill
<a href="https://twitter.com/JayWeatherill/status/960267973511360512" target="_blank">tweeted</a> Sunday than 6,500 South Australian households have already signed up. Those who want to participate in the program can register their interest <a href="http://ourenergyplan.sa.gov.au/virtual-power-plant" target="_blank">here</a>.
</p><p style="">
South Australia, in contrast to the pro-<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/coal">coal</a> federal government, has invested heavily in <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/renewable-energy/" target="_blank">renewable energy</a> and battery storage in recent decades. Last year, Musk famously made—<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tesla-worlds-largest-battery-2512145319.html" target="_blank">and fulfilled</a>—a bet that he could help solve the state's power woes by building a massive battery farm in less than 100 days.
</p><p style="">
Tesla
<a href="https://phys.org/news/2018-02-tesla-australia-homes-power.html" target="_blank">told</a> AFP that the virtual power plant would have 250 megawatts of solar energy and 650 megawatt hours of battery storage.
</p><p style="">
"At key moments, the virtual power plant could provide as much capacity as a large gas turbine or coal power plant," the company added.
</p><p style="">
The rollout will be supported with a Aus$2 million (US$1.6 million) grant and a Aus$30 million (US$23.8 million) loan from the taxpayer-funded Renewable Technology Fund.
</p><p style="">
Learn more about the program here:
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="9c161f29ad3e2b54fb69574298b3658d"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ve9nKr2byY0?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
</p>
From Your Site Articles
Related Articles Around the Web
Read More
Show Less
Trending
A rendering of the Aurora Solar Thermal Plant. SolarReserve
South Australia—home to the world's largest battery—is one step closer to also hosting the world's largest solar thermal power plant following developmental approval from the state government.
California-based SolarReserve is behind the $650 million, 150-megawatt "Aurora" project that will be located 30 kilometers north of Port Augusta.
<p>
Solar thermal plants are different from traditional photovoltaic panels on rooftops and solar farms. These plants, also known as <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/concentrated-solar-power" target="_blank">concentrated solar</a> plants, consists of a large field of moveable mirrors, or heliostats, that concentrate the sun's rays to a central tower to heat up salt. This molten salt then produces superheated steam to drive a generator's turbines.
</p><p>
The advantage of this type of power plant is how it can store several hours of energy, allowing for power usage when needed. Such a plant is crucial for South Australia, a state beset by frequent power outages.
</p><p>
<span></span>South Australia, in contrast to the pro-coal federal government, has invested heavily in <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/renewable-energy/">renewable energy</a> in recent decades. Last month, the state switched on a 100-megawatt battery storage farm that <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/tesla" target="_blank">Tesla</a> CEO <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/elon-musk" target="_blank">Elon Musk</a> famously built <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tesla-worlds-largest-battery-2512145319.html" target="_blank">in less than 100 days</a> to help solve the state's energy woes. Musk's battery already proved itself late last month after responding to power outages within milliseconds.</p>
<p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="ec4f5" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3NF66C1576662830"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="946434145164627968" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Tesla's Massive Australian Battery Responds to Coal Power Outages in Milliseconds https://t.co/Ljpcdcwo4Q @Tesla… https://t.co/GBhK7zlQ2I</div> — EcoWatch (@EcoWatch)<a href="https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/statuses/946434145164627968">1514482458.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p>
<p>SolarReserve—the same company that operates the 110-megawatt <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/worlds-first-24-7-solar-power-plant-powers-75-000-homes-1891177555.html" target="_blank">Crescent Dunes</a> Solar Energy Plant in Nevada, the world's first utility-scale solar thermal power plant—<a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180109006485/en/SolarReserve-Achieves-Key-Milestone-Development-South-Australia%E2%80%99s" target="_blank">boasts</a> that Aurora's massive 1,100 megawatt-hours of storage will provide eight hours of full load power after dark.<br></p><p>
"This means that, from storage (its 'salt battery') alone, Aurora will be capable of powering South Australia far in excess of State Government buildings, the equivalent of over 230,000 homes for eight hours, or around 35 percent of all of the households in South Australia," the company said.
</p><p>
According to the <a href="http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/opinion/the-advertiser-editorial-bright-sparks-in-sa-energy-developments/news-story/bca7623798848d2eb7c69f7fe2a5938b" target="_blank">Adelaide Advertiser</a>, Aurora is yet to secure its capital funding and a $110 million federal government loan still needs to be delivered.
</p><p>
But Kevin Smith, SolarReserve's CEO, remains optimistic, especially after securing the state's development approval.
</p><p>
"It is a significant step in the development of the Aurora solar thermal power station, which will bring clean power generation technology to South Australia," he said. “The remarkable story of the transition of Port Augusta from coal to renewable energy … is also a preview of the future of power generation around the world … Aurora is an example of how sustainable solutions are able to foster new industries and create new jobs for South Australia."
</p><p>
The project, which is slated for completion by 2020, will create an estimated 4,700 indirect and direct jobs.
</p><p>
South Australian acting energy minister Chris Picton is similarly positive about the project.
</p><p>
"It's fantastic that SolarReserve has received development approval to move forward with this world-leading project that will deliver clean, dispatchable renewable energy to supply our electrified rail, hospitals and schools and other major government buildings," Picton said.
</p><p>
Natalie Collard, the executive general manager of the Clean Energy Council, added: "South Australia is providing the rest of the country a glimpse of a renewable energy future. Our electricity system is rapidly moving towards one which will be smarter and cleaner, with a range of technologies providing high-tech, reliable, lower-cost power."
</p>
From Your Site Articles
Related Articles Around the Web
Read More
Show Less
'History in the Making': Tesla Switches on World's Largest Battery
01 December 2017
Renewable Energy
South Australia officially activated the world's biggest battery on Friday. The feat was achieved much to the credit of Elon Musk, who made a daring bet to “get the system installed and working 100 days from contract signature or it is free."
Musk was responding to a challenge from Australian billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes to help fix the Australian state's electricity woes. Losing the bet would have cost the Tesla CEO "probably $50 million or more."
<p style="">
Not only did the Musk win the bet, his company built the football field-sized facility in Jamestown (about 125 miles north of Adelaide) about a month and a half ahead of schedule.
</p><p style="">
"The completion of the world's largest lithium-ion battery in record time shows that a sustainable, effective energy solution is possible," Tesla said in a statement Friday at the battery's launch.
</p><p style="">
<span></span>The 100-megawatt Powerpack system is designed to power 30,000 houses for an hour during a blackout. The Australian state was hit by a string of power outages last year.
</p><p style="">
"South Australia is now leading the world in dispatchable
<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/renewable-energy/">renewable energy</a>. This is history in the making," South Australia Premier Jay Weatherill said Friday of the Tesla battery.
</p><p style="">
Australia is one of the world's biggest producers of <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/coal">coal</a>. The polluting fossil fuel and is the country's primary source for generating electricity. But the South Australian state government has gone in the other direction and has invested heavily in renewable energy ever since Weatherill took office in 2011.
</p><p style="">
Critics including Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull have
<a href="http://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/why-south-australias-blackouts-are-a-problem-for-us-all/news-story/bc3bbc8be17d80844bc05ab7f5760d56" target="_blank">blamed</a> the 2016 blackouts on the state's electricity grid, which relies on 40 percent renewables, but Weatherill says the power outages were caused by severe weather.
</p><p style="">
Tesla's battery will charge from Neoen's Hornsdale
<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/wind" target="_blank">wind</a> farm near Jamestown, South Australia and deliver electricity during peak hours.
<span></span>
</p><p style="">
"The battery will bring essential grid stability by providing a fast injection of power. But it will not solve the problem of blackouts on its own," Franck Woitiez, managing director of Neoen Australia, told the
<a href="https://www.ft.com/content/2ca27ee6-d634-11e7-8c9a-d9c0a5c8d5c9" target="_blank">Financial Times</a>.
</p><p style="">
Still, Woitiez rejected the federal government's notion that coal should remain in Australia's energy future.
</p><p style="">
"Coal is a thing of the past. In 2017 we are showing that the energy transition is happening. Battery costs are falling and it is now cheaper to build renewables than new coal plants."
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="726ef" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="ZGD5M11512156643"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="936458955022245888" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">South Australia is now leading the world in dispatchable renewable energy, delivered to homes and businesses 24/7.… https://t.co/iM7tSeaCoW</div> — Jay Weatherill (@Jay Weatherill)<a href="https://twitter.com/JayWeatherill/statuses/936458955022245888">1512104188.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p>
From Your Site Articles
Read More
Show Less
Tesla Finishes Building World's Largest Battery Month and a Half Ahead of Schedule
24 November 2017
Renewable Energy
Tesla's massive Powerpack battery system in South Australia is charged by a nearby wind farm. Tesla
Elon Musk has won an audacious bet he made back in March to build a battery system for South Australia in “100 days from contract signature or it is free."
The 100-megawatt Powerpack system is the world's largest, or three times bigger than Tesla and Edison's battery at Mira Loma in Ontario, California.
<p style="">
The Tesla CEO was responding to a challenge from Australian IT billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes to help fix the Australian state's electricity woes. Losing the bet would have cost Musk "<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-australia-power-tesla/tesla-wins-giant-battery-contract-in-australia-has-100-day-deadline-idUSKBN19S0EV" target="_blank">probably $50 million or more</a>."
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="c3fc0" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="C8CZWW1576662557"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="840032197637685249" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">@mcannonbrookes Tesla will get the system installed and working 100 days from contract signature or it is free. That serious enough for you?</div> — Elon Musk (@Elon Musk)<a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/statuses/840032197637685249">1489114257.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p><p style="">
As it happens, when the grid connection deal was finally signed on Sept. 29—kick-staring the 100-day clock—Tesla was already halfway finished with installation. So if you want to be technical, you could say that the project was finished a month and a half before the contract's deadline. The company
<a href="https://www.tesla.com/en_AU/blog/tesla-powerpack-enable-large-scale-sustainable-energy-south-australia?redirect=no" target="_blank">originally estimated</a> completion by December 2017.
</p><p>
The lithium-ion battery storage facility will charge using
<a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/renewable-energy/">renewable energy</a> from Neoen's Hornsdale <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/wind">wind</a> farm near Jamestown, South Australia and deliver electricity during peak hours.
</p><p>
According to <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-just-met-his-100-day-deadline-on-a-50-million-bet-2017-11" target="_blank">Business Insider</a>, when fully charged, the battery should hold enough power for 8,000 homes for 24 hours, or more than 30,000 houses for an hour during a blackout. <span></span>
</p><p>
"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," said Premier Jay Weatherill in a media statement.
</p><p style="">
"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 renewable energy with battery storage."
</p><p>
Weatherill said that regulatory testing over the next few days will ensure that the battery is optimized and meets energy market regulatory requirements before operations commence on Dec. 1.
</p><p style="">
Musk tweeted, "Congratulations to the Tesla crew and South Australian authorities who worked so hard to get this manufactured and installed in record time!"
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="67d54" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3HOO971576662557"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="933576358793318401" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Congratulations to the Tesla crew and South Australian authorities who worked so hard to get this manufactured and… https://t.co/xLOhH7EXiQ</div> — Elon Musk (@Elon Musk)<a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/statuses/933576358793318401">1511416923.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p>
Read More
Show Less
Photo credit: Lyon Group
A massive solar and battery farm is being built in South Australia's Riverland region.
If everything goes to plan, the plant will be running by the end of 2017 and will be the largest such system in the world, Brisbane-based renewable energy developer and investor Lyon Group announced.
<p>
The Riverland plant <a href="http://reneweconomy.com.au/worlds-biggest-solar-battery-storage-plant-ready-to-build-in-sa-63777/" target="_blank">consists of</a> 330MW of solar PV and a 100MW/400MWh battery storage system, or 3.4 million solar panels and 1.1 million batteries.
</p><p>
<span></span>The new project couldn't come sooner. A major <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-09/looming-gas-shortage-will-threaten-nations-power-supplies/8337204" target="_blank">gas shortage is looming</a> and the country's decades-old <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-03-28/australia-faces-power-volatility-as-hazelwood-coal-plant-closes" target="_blank">coal plants are shutting down</a>, sparking potential price hikes and putting the nation's energy security at risk.
</p><p>
The $1 billion (US $767 million) project was announced amid South Australia's recent spate of blackouts. </p><p>Interestingly, the ball really seemed to roll after an intriguing <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/840032197637685249" target="_blank">tweet</a> from none other than <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/elon-musk">Elon Musk</a>.</p><p>You may recall that <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/elon-musk-australia-2309117728.html">earlier this month</a> the Tesla CEO offered to build a 100MW battery storage farm for the Australian state. To up the ante, he said he would provide the system for free if it was not commissioned within 100 days. Musk's audacious bet led to an eventual conversation with Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.</p><p>
<span></span>Days later, the South Australian government announced an open, competitive tender for a 100MW battery storage project.
</p><p>"The battery will modernize South Australia's energy grid and begin the transformation to the next generation of renewable-energy storage technologies," the government office <a href="http://ourenergyplan.sa.gov.au/our-plan.html#OP1" target="_blank">stated</a>.</p><p>
According to Australia's <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-30/new-solar-project-announced-for-sa-riverland/8400952" target="_blank">ABC News,</a> Lyon Group partner David Green said the company will build its new plant, along with a similar plant near the town of Roxby Downs, regardless of the outcome of the government's tender:
<span></span>
</p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">
The Lyon Group has already signaled its intention to bid for a SA government tender to build a battery storage system with 100-megawatt output.
</p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">
The tender arrangement would give the government the right to tap the battery storage at times of peak demand, but allow the project owner to sell energy and stability into the market at other times.
</p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">
An expressions of interest process closes on Friday.
</p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">
Other companies, including Carnegie, Zen Energy and Tesla, have all suggested they could be interested in bidding.
</p><p style="margin-left: 20px;">Green said the outcome of the tender would not determine whether or not Lyon's projects were built, but would influence the final storage configuration in terms of the balance between optimizing grid security and capturing trading revenue.
</p><p>
Green said the project was 100 percent equity financed and construction would begin within months, requiring 270 workers, ABC News reported.
</p><p>
"We see the inevitability of the need to have large-scale solar and integrated batteries as part of any move to decarbonize," Green added.
</p>
Read More
Show Less