Tesla Megapack
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{short description|Large-scale battery energy storage product manufactured by Tesla Energy}}
{{About|Tesla battery energy storage device for electrical utility use|other uses|Megapack (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox product
| image = Tesla Megapack set of 4 with solar canopy.webp
| caption = Tesla Megapack set of 4 with solar canopy 3D sketch
| type = Grid energy storage
| inception = {{start date and age |2019|06}}
| manufacturer = Tesla Energy
| url = {{URL|tesla.com/megapack}}
}}
The Tesla Megapack is a large-scale rechargeable lithium-ion battery stationary energy storage product, intended for use at battery storage power stations, manufactured by Tesla Energy, the energy subsidiary of Tesla, Inc.
Launched in 2019, a Megapack can store up to 3.9 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity. Each Megapack is a container of similar size to an intermodal container. They are designed to be deployed by electric utilities. The energy stored can be used as required, for example during periods of peak electricity demand or when grid power is disrupted.
Tesla Energy also offers the Powerwall, a smaller energy storage device intended for home use.
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History
File:Tesla Gigafactory 1 - December 2019.jpg
On April 30, 2015, Tesla announced that it would sell standalone battery storage products to consumers and utilities. Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated that the company's battery storage products could be used to improve the reliability of intermittent renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind.{{Cite journal |last=Castelvecchi |first=Davide |date=May 1, 2015 |title=Will Tesla's battery change the energy market? |url=http://www.nature.com/articles/nature.2015.17469 |journal=Nature |language=en |pages=nature.2015.17469 |doi=10.1038/nature.2015.17469 |issn=0028-0836 |s2cid=138439698 |archive-date=August 8, 2021 |access-date=May 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808222508/https://www.nature.com/articles/nature.2015.17469 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}
Prior to the Megapack launch, Tesla used its 200 kilowatt-hour (kWh) Powerpack energy storage product to meet the needs of utilities with large-scale storage requirements such as at the Hornsdale Power Reserve.
Design work began on the Megapack project at Giga Nevada at least as early as the first half of 2018.{{Cite news |last=Lambert |first=Fred |date=October 30, 2018 |title=Tesla is working on a new 'Megapack' energy module at Gigafactory 1 |url=https://electrek.co/2018/10/30/tesla-megapack-energy-module-gigafactory/ |access-date=April 5, 2020 |website=Electrek |language=en-US |archive-date=December 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206165139/https://electrek.co/2018/10/30/tesla-megapack-energy-module-gigafactory/ |url-status=live }}
In July 2019, Megapack launched. It was described by Tesla as a utility-scale energy storage product, suitable for power stations and utilities. Tesla claimed that Megapacks would be compatible with Tesla power station monitoring and energy control software, Powerhub and Autobidder. The company stated that Megapack was designed to meet the needs of large-scale battery storage projects, as with the Powerpacks.{{Cite web |date=July 29, 2019 |title=Introducing Megapack: Utility-Scale Energy Storage |url=https://www.tesla.com/en_AU/blog/introducing-megapack-utility-scale-energy-storage |access-date=April 5, 2020 |website=www.tesla.com |language=en-AU |archive-date=October 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013055908/https://www.tesla.com/en_AU/blog/introducing-megapack-utility-scale-energy-storage |url-status=live }}
Tesla acquired a former JC Penney's distribution center in Lathrop, California, in 2021 and converted it into a battery plant called Megafactory,{{Cite news |last=Campbell |first=Jason |date=September 23, 2021 |title=Lathrop Lands Tesla Mega Battery Plant |work=Mantica / Ripon Bulletin |url=https://www.mantecabulletin.com/news/local-news/lathrop-lands-tesla-mega-battery-plant/ |access-date=September 25, 2021 |archive-date=September 24, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210924191338/https://www.mantecabulletin.com/news/local-news/lathrop-lands-tesla-mega-battery-plant/ |url-status=live }} with a target capacity of 40 GWh/year when finished.{{Cite web |date=September 8, 2022 |title=Tesla ramps up hiring for Megafactory |url=https://motonewstoday.com/tesla-ramps-up-hiring-for-megafactory/55719/ |website=Motonewstoday.com}} Next-generation Megapacks use prismatic lithium iron phosphate cells (LFP),{{Cite news |last=Lee-Jones |first=Sarah |date=September 22, 2021 |title=New Tesla Megafactory Breaks Ground in Lathrop, California |work=Tesla North |url=https://teslanorth.com/2021/09/22/new-tesla-megafactory-breaks-ground-in-lathrop-california/ |access-date=September 22, 2021 |archive-date=September 23, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210923033903/https://teslanorth.com/2021/09/22/new-tesla-megafactory-breaks-ground-in-lathrop-california/ |url-status=live }} for example in the 585 MWh Kapolei, Hawaii facility.{{cite web |title=Plus Power switches on 185 MW battery in Hawaii |url=https://renewablesnow.com/news/plus-power-switches-on-185-mw-battery-in-hawaii-845477/ |date=12 January 2024 |access-date=January 12, 2024 |archive-date=January 12, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240112211059/https://renewablesnow.com/news/plus-power-switches-on-185-mw-battery-in-hawaii-845477/ |url-status=live }}
Tesla’s energy deployment added 3.9 GWh in the first quarter of 2023.{{Cite news|url=https://electrek.co/2023/05/31/tesla-power-massive-500-million-energy-storage-project/ |title=Tesla to power new massive $500 million energy storage project|first=Fred|last=Lambert |date=May 31, 2023|website=Electrek}} The combined delivery of storage (Powerwall and Megapack) was 6.5 GWh in 2022, 14.7 GWh in 2023, and 31.4 GWh in 2024.{{cite web |last1=Rayner |first1=Tristan |title=Tesla smashes its own records with big increase in energy storage deployments in 2024 |url=https://www.ess-news.com/2025/01/03/tesla-smashes-its-own-records-with-big-increase-in-energy-storage-deployments-in-2024/ |website=Energy Storage |date=3 January 2025}}
In 2023, Tesla announced a new “Megafactory” in Shanghai to manufacture Megapacks, with the goal of producing about 10,000 packs per year,{{Cite web |last=Shakir |first=Umar |date=2023-04-10 |title=Tesla's next Megapack battery storage factory will be in Shanghai |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/10/23676930/teslas-megafactory-megapack-shanghai-china-announcement |access-date=2023-09-10 |website=The Verge |language=en-US |archive-date=September 21, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230921120100/https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/10/23676930/teslas-megafactory-megapack-shanghai-china-announcement |url-status=live }} and the factory started low rate initial production in late 2024.{{cite web |last1=Rayner |first1=Tristan |title=Tesla starts trial production at Shanghai Megapack manufacturing plant |url=https://www.ess-news.com/2025/01/02/tesla-starts-trial-production-at-shanghai-megapack-manufacturing-plant/ |website=Energy Storage |date=2 January 2025}}
Tesla builds a service facility at the 877 MWh Collie battery in Western Australia, to repair and remanufacture batteries in the state.{{cite web |title=Tesla inks deal with WA to build megapack servicing plant next to huge Collie battery |url=https://reneweconomy.com.au/tesla-inks-deal-with-wa-to-build-megapack-servicing-plant-next-to-huge-collie-battery/ |website=RenewEconomy |language=en-AU |date=7 February 2025 |quote=employ up to 50 local workers .. service Tesla’s grid-scale Megapack batteries and other Tesla products installed in Western Australia}}
Specifications
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Model !Unit Cost !Capacity !Power !Round Trip Efficiency !Dimensions ({{Abbr|W x H x D|Width x Height x Depth}}){{Cite web |date=November 11, 2022 |title=Industrial Lithium-Ion Battery Emergency Response Guide |url=https://www.tesla.com/sites/default/files/downloads/Lithium-Ion_Battery_Emergency_Response_Guide_en.pdf |access-date=September 8, 2023}} |
| Megapack
|$1.24M | |{{Cvt|7.168|x|2.522|x|1.659|m|order=flip|disp=br()}} |{{Cvt|25400|kg|order=flip|disp=br()}} |
| Megapack{{Nbsp}}2
|$1.47M |3.854 MWh |1.284 MW |92.0% |{{Cvt|7.25|x|2.506|x|1.637|m|order=flip|disp=br()}} |{{Cvt|30500|kg|order=flip|disp=br()}} |
| Megapack{{Nbsp}}2{{Nbsp}}XL
|$1.39M |3.916 MWh |1.927 MW |93.7% |{{Cvt|8.8|x|2.785|x|1.65|m|order=flip|disp=br()}} |{{Cvt|38100|kg|order=flip|disp=br()}} |
Terms
Each Megapack comes with a 15-year "no defect" and "energy retention" warranty. A 10 or 20 year "performance guarantee" is available for an additional cost. Once a Megapack has reached the end of its useful life, Tesla says they can be returned for recycling.{{Cite web |title=MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION |url=https://ceqanet.opr.ca.gov/2019079016/2/Attachment/cFUVBH |website=County of Monterey |access-date=May 27, 2020 |archive-date=July 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718131913/https://ceqanet.opr.ca.gov/2019079016/2/Attachment/cFUVBH |url-status=live }}
Megapacks are pre-assembled, including "battery modules, bi-directional inverters, a thermal management system, an AC main breaker and controls."{{Cite web |last=O'Kane |first=Sean |date=July 29, 2019 |title=Tesla's Megapack battery is big enough to help grids handle peak demand |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/29/20746170/tesla-megapack-battery-pge-storage-announced |access-date=April 15, 2020 |website=The Verge |language=en |archive-date=October 1, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221001123950/https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/29/20746170/tesla-megapack-battery-pge-storage-announced |url-status=live }}
Tesla requires customers to purchase a maintenance service agreement. Each Megapack receives a minor annual service, and a major service every ten years. The annual maintenance includes inspections and cleaning. The ten-year maintenance includes activities such as replacing the pump and fan for the thermal management system and refilling the coolant fluid.{{Cite web |last=Tesla |date=March 18, 2022 |title=Megapack Maintenance Agreement |url=https://tesla-cdn.thron.com/static/TX9EDA_210714_Megapack_Web_Maintenance_Agreement__Clean_vF_EBL8HO.pdf?xseo=&response-content-disposition=inline%3Bfilename%3D%22megapack-web-maintenance-agreement.pdf%22 |website=tesla-cdn.thron.com |access-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-date=October 7, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221007081658/https://tesla-cdn.thron.com/static/TX9EDA_210714_Megapack_Web_Maintenance_Agreement__Clean_vF_EBL8HO.pdf?xseo=&response-content-disposition=inline%3Bfilename%3D%22megapack-web-maintenance-agreement.pdf%22 |url-status=dead }} Maintenance is expected to take about an hour per Megapack.
Design
The Megapack thermal management system is located at the top of each unit. It uses coolant fluid, made of an equal-parts mixture of ethylene glycol and water, to keep the battery at operating temperature.
Each Megapack 2XL weighs approximately {{Convert|84000|lb}} and the enclosure is built to a similar size as an intermodal container and includes twistlock fittings to allow automated handling.
Applications
File:Tesla Megapack site with solar canopies.webp{{cite web | url=https://www.tesmanian.com/blogs/tesmanian-blog/tesla-megapack-with-solar-canopy-launched-by-ninedot-energy-in-new-york | title=Tesla Megapack with Solar Canopy Launched by NineDot Energy in New York | access-date=January 9, 2024 | archive-date=January 9, 2024 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240109084356/https://www.tesmanian.com/blogs/tesmanian-blog/tesla-megapack-with-solar-canopy-launched-by-ninedot-energy-in-new-york | url-status=live }} 3D sketch]]
Grid batteries are used for ancillary services such as control of frequency and phase, black start, operating reserve etc.
= Peak power =
Megapacks are designed for large-scale energy storage. Megapacks are used by utilities to replace or augment peaker power plants,{{Cite web |last=Vorrath |first=Sophie |date=February 28, 2020 |title=World's largest Tesla megapack battery project approved for California |url=https://reneweconomy.com.au/worlds-largest-tesla-megapack-battery-project-approved-for-california-14525/ |access-date=April 15, 2020 |website=RenewEconomy |language=en-AU |archive-date=April 7, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200407104454/https://reneweconomy.com.au/worlds-largest-tesla-megapack-battery-project-approved-for-california-14525/ |url-status=live }} which generate energy during periods of peak demand. Megapacks store grid energy rather than generating it from fuel.{{Cite journal |last1=Krawczyk |first1=Piotr |last2=Śliwińska |first2=Anna |date=March 16, 2020 |title=Eco-Efficiency Assessment of the Application of Large-Scale Rechargeable Batteries in a Coal-Fired Power Plant |journal=Energies |language=en |volume=13 |issue=6 |pages=1384 |doi=10.3390/en13061384 |issn=1996-1073 |doi-access=free}}
= Time shifting =
In some areas, energy storage has become a requirement to help convert intermittent energy sources such as wind and solar into firm power.{{Cite web |title=Grid-Scale Battery Storage Frequently Asked Questions |url=https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy19osti/74426.pdf |website=National Renewable Energy Laboratory |access-date=May 27, 2020 |archive-date=December 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205192104/https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy19osti/74426.pdf |url-status=live }}
Other energy storage solutions, such as pumped hydroelectric storage, dominate the time-shift market. As of 2019, pumped hydroelectric storage accounted for 96% of global energy storage capacity.{{Cite web |title=U.S. Grid Energy Storage Factsheet {{!}} Center for Sustainable Systems |url=http://css.umich.edu/factsheets/us-grid-energy-storage-factsheet |access-date=April 16, 2020 |website=css.umich.edu |archive-date=April 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200405063446/http://css.umich.edu/factsheets/us-grid-energy-storage-factsheet |url-status=live }} Pumped hydroelectric storage systems have lower efficiency, but longer lifetimes than battery storage.
Batteries may be deployed more quickly than other storage technologies.{{Cite web |date=June 21, 2017 |title=Batteries vs pumped storage hydropower – a place for both? |url=https://reneweconomy.com.au/batteries-vs-pumped-storage-hydropower-place-87554/ |access-date=April 16, 2020 |website=RenewEconomy |language=en-AU |archive-date=July 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718020411/https://reneweconomy.com.au/batteries-vs-pumped-storage-hydropower-place-87554/ |url-status=live }}
= Supercharger stations =
File:Tesla Supercharger station with solar canopy.webp station with solar canopies and 8 Megapack set for close to 32 MWh]]
Megapacks have been installed at Tesla Supercharger stations that also have solar canopies to help power the Megapacks.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tesmanian.com/blogs/tesmanian-blog/first-known-tesla-v4-supercharger-with-solar-panels-and-megapack-is-coming-to-arizona |title=First Known Tesla V4 Supercharger with Solar Panels & Megapack Is Coming to Arizona|website=TESMANIAN|access-date=January 8, 2024|archive-date=January 8, 2024|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240108073912/https://www.tesmanian.com/blogs/tesmanian-blog/first-known-tesla-v4-supercharger-with-solar-panels-and-megapack-is-coming-to-arizona |url-status=live}} Megapacks can smooth out electric demand on the local power grid and use the stored Megapacks electricity during peak demand so there are not excessive surcharges on electricity to charge the electric vehicles.{{cite web | url=https://chargedevs.com/newswire/new-tesla-v4-supercharger-site-to-feature-megapack-battery-storage-and-solar-generation/ | title=New Tesla V4 Supercharger site to feature Megapack battery storage and solar generation | date=September 20, 2022 | access-date=January 16, 2024 | archive-date=January 16, 2024 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240116022149/https://chargedevs.com/newswire/new-tesla-v4-supercharger-site-to-feature-megapack-battery-storage-and-solar-generation/ | url-status=live }}
Deployments
= Completed =
In November 2019, Tesla used a Megapack to power a mobile recharging station for Tesla electric vehicles in California. The mobile Supercharger delivered 125 kW, and was transported on a flat trailer attached to a truck between deployment locations.{{Cite news |last=Lambert |first=Fred |date=November 29, 2019 |title=Tesla deploys new mobile Supercharger powered by Megapack instead of diesel generators |url=https://electrek.co/2019/11/29/tesla-mobile-supercharger-megapack/ |access-date=April 5, 2020 |website=Electrek |language=en-US |archive-date=May 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200514050304/https://electrek.co/2019/11/29/tesla-mobile-supercharger-megapack/ |url-status=live }}
In December 2019, Tesla delivered a 1.25 MW/2.5 MWh Megapack to the Millidgeville Substation in Saint John, Canada for peak shaving.{{Cite web |title=Saint John Energy adding money-saving battery power to its energy grid |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/6379160/saint-john-energy-adding-money-saving-battery-power-to-its-energy-grid/ |access-date=April 5, 2020 |website=Global News |language=en |archive-date=August 17, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220817203746/https://globalnews.ca/news/6379160/saint-john-energy-adding-money-saving-battery-power-to-its-energy-grid/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=McCreadie |first=Danielle |title=Saint John Energy Joins Partnership With Tesla |url=https://www.country94.ca/2019/08/26/saint-john-energy-joins-partnership-with-tesla/ |access-date=April 5, 2020 |website=Country 94 |language=en |archive-date=December 4, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20241204200804/https://www.country94.ca/2019/08/26/saint-john-energy-joins-partnership-with-tesla/ |url-status=live }} The battery is estimated to save owner Saint John Energy CA$200,000 per year.{{Cite news |last=Lambert |first=Fred |date=March 9, 2020 |title=Tesla deploys new Megapack in Canada, could save small utility $200,000 per year |url=https://electrek.co/2020/03/09/tesla-megapack-canada-savings/ |access-date=April 5, 2020 |website=Electrek |language=en-US |archive-date=April 6, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200406134200/https://electrek.co/2020/03/09/tesla-megapack-canada-savings/ |url-status=live }} It became operational on April 3, 2020.{{Cite web |title=Saint John Energy |url=https://www.facebook.com/saintjohnenergy/posts/2882863735090856 |access-date=August 18, 2020 |website=www.facebook.com |language=en}}
The 300 MW/450 MWh Victorian Big Battery near Geelong, Australia,{{Cite web |date=November 5, 2020 |title=The Victorian Big Battery Q&A |url=https://www.energy.vic.gov.au/renewable-energy/the-victorian-big-battery/the-victorian-big-battery-q-and-a |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211116134451/https://www.energy.vic.gov.au/renewable-energy/the-victorian-big-battery/the-victorian-big-battery-q-and-a |archive-date=November 16, 2021 |access-date=October 11, 2021 |website=The Victorian Big Battery Q&A |publisher=Victorian Government}} constituted the largest battery in the southern hemisphere at the time.{{Cite web |date=November 5, 2020 |title=Victoria to house largest battery in southern hemisphere |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-05/new-tesla-battery-for-moorabool-victoria/12851698 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211014120519/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-05/new-tesla-battery-for-moorabool-victoria/12851698 |archive-date=October 14, 2021 |website=ABC News |language=en-AU}} The commissioning process was halted due to a fire (see "Safety" section), and the lessons learned were applied to other batteries.{{Cite web |last=Parkinson |first=Giles |date=September 27, 2021 |title=Australia's biggest battery given all clear after Tesla Megapack fire investigation |url=https://reneweconomy.com.au/australias-biggest-battery-given-all-clear-after-tesla-megapack-fire-investigation/ |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211006023531/https://reneweconomy.com.au/australias-biggest-battery-given-all-clear-after-tesla-megapack-fire-investigation/ |archive-date=October 6, 2021 |website=RenewEconomy |language=en-AU}} The battery was commissioned on time in December 2021, a year after contract,{{Cite web |last=Parkinson |first=Giles |date=December 7, 2021 |title=Australia's biggest battery officially opened, 12 months after contract awarded |url=https://reneweconomy.com.au/australias-biggest-battery-officially-opened-12-months-after-contract-awarded/ |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211208030113/https://reneweconomy.com.au/australias-biggest-battery-officially-opened-12-months-after-contract-awarded/ |archive-date=December 8, 2021 |website=RenewEconomy |language=en-AU}} with an estimated return on investment of 2.4.{{Cite web |last=Colthorpe |first=Andy |date=December 8, 2021 |title=Victorian Big Battery: Australia's biggest battery storage system at 450MWh, is online |url=https://www.energy-storage.news/victorian-big-battery-australias-biggest-battery-storage-system-at-450mwh-is-online/ |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211208033801/https://www.energy-storage.news/victorian-big-battery-australias-biggest-battery-storage-system-at-450mwh-is-online/ |archive-date=December 8, 2021 |website=Energy Storage News}}
In December 2021, Strata Solar, an American commercial solar services provider, deployed a 100 MW/400 MWh energy storage facility in Ventura County, California, using 142 Megapacks.{{Cite web |last=Fox |first=Eva |date=December 18, 2021 |title=142 Tesla Megapacks Replace Fossil Fuel-Powered Peaker Plant in California, Shows Company Video |url=https://www.tesmanian.com/blogs/tesmanian-blog/142-tesla-megapacks-replace-fossil-fuel-powered-peaker-plant-in-california-shows-companys-video |access-date=2023-09-09 |website=TESMANIAN |language=en}} The deployment replaced a natural-gas peaker plant.
As of June 2022, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) operates a 182.5 MW/730 MWh 256-Megapack system at Moss Landing, in Monterey County, California.{{Cite news |last=Lambert |first=Fred |date=June 29, 2018 |title=Tesla and PG&E are working on a massive 'up to 1.1 GWh' Powerpack battery system |url=https://electrek.co/2018/06/29/tesla-pge-giant-1-gwh-powerpack-battery-system/ |access-date=May 27, 2020 |website=Electrek |language=en-US |archive-date=May 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519191043/https://electrek.co/2018/06/29/tesla-pge-giant-1-gwh-powerpack-battery-system/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Lambert |first=Fred |date=February 27, 2020 |title=Tesla's massive 1GWh Megapack battery project with PG&E is approved |url=https://electrek.co/2020/02/27/tesla-1gwh-megapack-battery-project-pge-approved/ |access-date=April 15, 2020 |website=Electrek |language=en-US |archive-date=October 7, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221007015002/https://electrek.co/2020/02/27/tesla-1gwh-megapack-battery-project-pge-approved/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=June 14, 2022 |title=California ISO – A golden age of energy storage |url=http://www.caiso.com/about/Pages/Blog/Posts/A-golden-age-of-energy-storage.aspx |website=www.caiso.com |access-date=October 22, 2022 |archive-date=October 22, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221022155203/http://www.caiso.com/about/Pages/Blog/Posts/A-golden-age-of-energy-storage.aspx |url-status=live }}
TransAlta owns and operates a 10 MW/20 MWh Megapack system near Pincher Creek, Alberta, Canada, which was completed in October 2020.{{Cite web |title=Windcharger Battery Storage |url=https://transalta.com/about-us/our-operations/facilities/windcharger-battery-storage/ |website=TransAlta |access-date=July 19, 2024 |language=en-us}} As of July 2024, it is one of ten active storage sites in Alberta,List of generating stations in Alberta and all are Megapacks.
Safety
Grid-scale battery standards and fire containment practices are at an early stage of development.{{Cite magazine |last=Barber |first=Gregory |title=Big Batteries Are Booming. So Are Fears They'll Catch Fire |language=en-US |magazine=Wired |url=https://www.wired.com/story/big-grid-batteries-are-booming-so-are-fears-fire/ |access-date=2023-09-10 |issn=1059-1028 |archive-date=September 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230909200814/https://www.wired.com/story/big-grid-batteries-are-booming-so-are-fears-fire/ |url-status=live }}
Fire risks are one factor that has delayed the deployment of some utility energy storage systems. Most battery fires cannot be extinguished with water, which is the primary firefighting technique in most communities. A fire in a single cell can cascade to others via thermal runaway, possibly in milliseconds, potentially creating a major hazard.
Preventing fires involves multiple layers of protection. First, is to prevent fire in a single cell, by eliminating sparks and short circuits. However, grid-scale systems face potential problems such as coolant leaks and faulty installation. Venting flammable gases and improved insulation reduce cascade risks. Placing controls outside of the container gives more management options. Instead of suppressants, monitoring the situation while watering surrounding areas can help contain the fire. Sensors that track local weather conditions can help avoid overheating. Lithium-free designs with lower fire risks are possible.
“Plume modeling” attempts to predict how gases from burning battery chemicals might travel. The gases produced vary across battery types, hydrogen fluoride (HF) is of particular concern even at low concentrations. A later plume analysis by Vistra reported that concentrations of HF above California exposure limits could spread across an area 1300 feet in diameter under wind conditions that occur 7 percent of the year.
In Raquette Lake, New York, the town passed a one-year moratorium preventing battery installation in response to protests citing fires at three New York battery installations. Protestors cited a fire in Lyme, New York that burned for four days.
A Megapack ignited at Pacific Gas and Electric's (PG&E's) Moss Landing, California facility in September 2022. The fire led to a day-long shelter-in-place advisory. PG&E stated that safety measures included thermal alarms that can shut down the system, an incident command center, an audible evacuation alarm, pre-fire planning with local fire crews and emergency shut down protocols. Heat-suppression systems, intended to curb thermal runaway, were accidentally triggered, dousing batteries in water that caused arcing and short circuiting. The plant was shut down for months.{{Cite web |last=Balderas |first=Christian |date=2022-09-22 |title=Residents left worried after PG&E's Tesla-powered battery plant catches fire. |url=https://www.ksbw.com/article/moss-landing-residents-worried-for-their-safety-after-pgandes-tesla-battery-fire/41323388 |access-date=2023-09-10 |website=KSBW |language=en}} Vistra's third installation in Moss Landing adopted the outdoor container model instead of putting the racks under a single roof. (Vistra stated that the outdoor design was chosen to expedite construction.){{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Cameron |date=September 21, 2022 |title=Fire at PG&E's Tesla battery storage facility in Moss Landing under control, authorities lift closures |url=https://www.energy-storage.news/fire-at-pges-tesla-battery-storage-facility-in-moss-landing-under-control-authorities-lift-closures/ |website=Energy Storage News |access-date=September 22, 2022 |archive-date=December 5, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221205172145/https://www.energy-storage.news/fire-at-pges-tesla-battery-storage-facility-in-moss-landing-under-control-authorities-lift-closures/ |url-status=live }}
In July 2021, one of the 212 Megapack modules at the Victorian Big Battery project caught fire{{Cite web |date=July 30, 2021 |title=Fire breaks out at giant battery project near Geelong |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-30/tesla-battery-fire-moorabool-geelong/100337488 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211014120514/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-30/tesla-battery-fire-moorabool-geelong/100337488 |archive-date=October 14, 2021 |website=ABC News |language=en-AU}} due to a coolant leak while the battery was unmonitored. That ignited the adjacent Megapack. Three days later, the fire had burnt itself out as preferred by the fire department.{{Cite news |last=Parkinson |first=Giles |date=August 1, 2021 |title=Tesla Megapack still burning, no word if any delays to Victoria Big Battery |language=en-AU |work=RenewEconomy |url=https://reneweconomy.com.au/tesla-megapack-still-burning-no-word-if-any-delays-to-victoria-big-battery/ |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210801212811/https://reneweconomy.com.au/tesla-megapack-still-burning-no-word-if-any-delays-to-victoria-big-battery/ |archive-date=August 1, 2021 |quote=no point trying to put the fire out, merely contain it and stop it from spreading to other containers}}{{Cite web |last=Morgan |first=Lucy Battersby, Cassandra |date=August 2, 2021 |title=Blaze at Tesla Big Battery extinguished after three days |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/blaze-at-tesla-big-battery-extinguished-after-three-day-battle-for-control-20210802-p58f6x.html |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211123183415/https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/blaze-at-tesla-big-battery-extinguished-after-three-day-battle-for-control-20210802-p58f6x.html |archive-date=November 23, 2021 |website=The Age |language=en}}
A 50 MW / 100 MWh battery project using Tesla Megapack 2 was under construction in Bouldercombe near Rockhampton, Queensland.{{Cite web |title=50MW/100MWh Bouldercombe Battery Project |url=https://genexpower.com.au/bouldercombe-battery-project/ |access-date=July 10, 2023 |website=Genex Power |language=en-AU}} The alternating current section caught fire in September 2023 and spread to the cells of one Megapack module, also damaging the adjacent module. Both modules are being replaced by Tesla. Other 36 modules were operational a couple of days later.{{cite web |first=Bella |last=Peacock |title=Queensland Bouldercombe battery fire ignited on grid side, not within Megapack, analysis finds |url=https://www.pv-magazine-australia.com/2023/11/07/queensland-bouldercombe-battery-fire-ignited-on-grid-side-not-within-megapack-analysis-finds/ |website=pv magazine Australia |language=en-AU |date=7 November 2023 |access-date=December 17, 2023 |archive-date=December 18, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231218000008/https://www.pv-magazine-australia.com/2023/11/07/queensland-bouldercombe-battery-fire-ignited-on-grid-side-not-within-megapack-analysis-finds/ |url-status=live }}
See also
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{official website|https://www.tesla.com/megapack}}
{{Tesla, Inc.}}
Category:Lithium-ion batteries