Featured image: EKM Metering/YouTube
The installation of a huge Tesla battery at the PG&E electrical substation at Moss Landing continues and is already taking shape. At the moment, more than 30 Megapacks have been installed there. By the beginning of 2021, the construction should already be fully complete.
In July, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and Tesla began construction of a 182.5-megawatt (MW) lithium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS) at PG&E’s electric substation in Moss Landing in Monterey County.
In early October, the first Tesla Megapack was installed, marking the start of construction on one of the world's largest lithium-ion energy storage systems. The system will be designed, built, and maintained by PG&E and Tesla, and will be owned by PG&E. The goal of PG&E is to launch the system in early 2021 and have it fully operational in the second quarter of 2021.
PG&E Installed 1st Tesla Megapack of 182.5MW Energy Storage System, Aims to Operate from Q2 2021https://t.co/JrpiDnoE2X
— Tesmanian.com (@Tesmanian_com) October 6, 2020
The video from EKM Metering/YouTube showcases significant progress at the construction site. In just two weeks, 32 Megapacks were installed, which demonstrates a very high construction speed. Dozens of batteries are still wrapped and waiting to be installed. At the same time, it can be seen that the preparatory earthworks and the construction of the foundations for Megapacks are proceeding at a rapid pace.
Source: EKM Metering/YouTube
PG&E predicts Moss Landing BESS will save more than $100 million over a 20-year lifespan. The BESS was approved by the California Public Utilities Commission in November 2018 and by the Monterey County Planning commission in February 2020.
It includes the installation of 256 Tesla Megapack battery units on 33 concrete slabs. Each unit houses batteries and power conversion equipment in a single cabinet. Transformers and switch-gears will also be installed along with the Megapacks to connect energy stored in the batteries with the 115 kilovolts (kV) electric transmission system.
The BESS will have the capacity to store and dispatch up to 730-megawatt hours (MWh) of energy to the electrical grid at a maximum rate of 182.5 MW for up to four hours during periods of high demand. PG&E's agreement with Tesla contains an upsize option that can increase the system's capacity to up to six hours or 1.1-Gigawatt hour (GWh) total.
© 2020, Eva Fox. All rights reserved.
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About the Author
Eva Fox
Eva Fox joined Tesmanian in 2019 to cover breaking news as an automotive journalist. The main topics that she covers are clean energy and electric vehicles. As a journalist, Eva is specialized in Tesla and topics related to the work and development of the company.
