Photo: VictorianBigBattery
Tesla powered on the Victoria, Australia “Big Battery” on Wednesday, a large-scale Tesla Megapack lithium-ion energy storage system that will help operate utility reserves for much of the Australian state, according to CNBC.
The Megapacks were constructed in hopes to prevent blackouts from occurring, as well as to give utility companies more energy storage for renewable energy sources, such as wind power and solar power.
Later on Wednesday, Australian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio said, “The Victorian Big Battery is here. It’s the biggest battery in the southern hemisphere — safeguarding our energy supply through hot days, driving down electricity prices and supporting our massive renewable energy build. Victoria, you should be proud.”
The Victorian Big Battery is here. It’s the biggest battery in the southern hemisphere – safeguarding our energy supply through hot days, driving down electricity prices and supporting our massive renewable energy build.
Victoria, you should be proud. pic.twitter.com/zo4PpybyP9
— Lily D'Ambrosio MP (@LilyDAmbrosioMP) December 7, 2021
According to The Age, D’Ambrosio also explained that as much as 80 percent of the system’s power capacity will be reserved purely for times when the Victorian power supply is enduring significant stress.
During times of high stress to the grid, D’Ambrosio explained, the battery will be expected to offer an hour of power to over 650,000 homes.
In July, one Tesla Megapack at the Big Battery in Victoria caught fire during a trial, though the arriving fire crew said the fire did not present a risk to surrounding communities.
