A cluster of six giant Tesla batteries was used to supply power to British households for the first time in history, reports Bloomberg.
The Holes Bay energy storage project in Dorset, U.K., consists of six of Tesla’s gargantuan Megapack batteries. The cluster of Megapack batteries can store energy generated by sources of renewable energy, and supply the stored power to Britain’s national grid when consumption peaks to balance supply and demand in the British electricity market.
The Holes Bay plant isn’t one of a kind – there are similar installations in the US and Canada. In fact, the demand for Tesla’s Megapack batteries is higher than its production output.
In the wake of the ongoing pandemic, the cost of balancing the electricity grid skyrocketed. Between March and July, the National Grid Electricity System Operator (NGESO) spent £718 million ($932 million) – up 39% from past figures – to balance the power market.
Made possible by using a new computer system, the National Grid ESO has managed to lessen the financial strain on the government by allowing up and coming technologies like Tesla’s Megapack batteries to partake in balancing the electricity market.
While we haven’t heard much about Tesla’s electricity generation efforts in the U.K. ever since the giant was granted a licence, it’s good to see Tesla tech being used to contribute to the national grid.
The Holes Bay plant, managed by Fotowatio Renewable Ventures BV and Harmony Energy Ltd., is roughly one-tenth the size of its gas-powered counterparts. The project can draw and store up to 7.5 megawatts of power from the electricity grid when solar or wind supply exceeds demand, and discharge the power back into the grid as needed.
