Apple California Flats solar farm using Tesla Megapack energy storage
Large Tesla Megapack storage array being built in California to supply power for Apple infrastructure.
Tag: Grid Energy Storage
Dept of Energy moving forward with energy storage research projects, doubling down on renewable energy
Solar power isn’t dead in the Trump Administration. Instead, the Dept of Energy announced last week that the 2020 SunShot cost reduction goals were met, and therefore the focus of the Solar Energy Technologies Office would shift to longer-term goals such as Grid Reliability and Energy Storage. “With the impressive…
Solar Impulse demonstrates implementation of the clean energy paradigm we deserve
Yesterday the Solar Impulse 2 (HB-SIB) finished its around-the-world journey when pilot Bertrand Piccard flew it from Cairo to Abu Dhabi. This is certifiably a big historical achievement ranking up there with Lindbergh’s first flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Where Lindbergh’s flight opened the door to what’s now routine, taking airplanes…
Grid energy storage key to Clean Power Plan success, not its downfall
The recently unveiled Clean Power Plan is way cool – it mandates replacing coal power plants with solar and wind based power systems. Supplanting the dirtiest of fossil fuels with the cleanest of renewable is a big move in the right direction. It won’t be easy, but it’s eminently doable.…
How safe are grid energy storage units? Will they catch fire as Tesla’s cars have?
We have to consider this – because, any failure of a grid connected energy storage system risks the whole project going down in flames. Just as happened with the handful of electric car fires, an energy storage system fire could become the target of ire by certain political types and poison…
Nissan combining Solar power with used Leaf packs to explore second life and clean up energy footprint
Used EV battery packs have 80% capacity – making them not so good for use in a car, but still very useful for other uses. Nissan is recycling used Leaf packs to create an energy storage array coupled with solar panels on the roof of the headquarters building, then using…
Interview: Tesla’s Jim Chen on the Powerwall, Giga Factory, and Model 3
Elon Musk launches Tesla Energy – grid energy storage systems for homes and utility companies
Tonight Tesla Motors announced what we’ve expected, but it’s a bigger deal than expected. Specifically, Tesla Motors is launching what’s essentially a new business unit, Tesla Energy, and positioning itself not as an automaker but as an “energy innovation company”. Tesla Energy’s product line is, initially, grid-tied energy storage units…
Nissan exploring a second life for Leaf battery packs in energy storage systems
After ten years in an electric car like the Nissan Leaf, its battery pack might still have 70% of its original capacity, theoretically making it reusable in the smart grid. One of the questions related to electric vehicles is the disposition of the battery packs after a few years when…
Why electric cars would not swamp the electric grid, at least in New York
A fear over expanding use of electric vehicles is whether the increased electric demand would swamp the electric grid. The electric grid is those high power transmission lines criss-crossing the country. The claim is the electric grid wasn’t designed well and might not handle the extra load from electric cars.…
