Tesla Batteries in Irvine Businesses

[irvinehomeowner]

http://www.engadget.com/2015/10/12/tesla-batteries-power-california-buildings/

Tesla is about to prove that its energy storage batteries aren't just meant for saving money (and possibly, the environment) at home. The Irvine Company plans to outfit office buildings across California with Tesla battery farms that, in an initial phase, will both reduce electricity demand at peak hours and give Southern California Edison up to 10 megawatts of reserve power. That's enough to light up 10,000 homes, folks. Up to 24 buildings in Irvine will get the upgrade in this first wave, and there are hints of more in the long run.

This is just one deal in a very large state, and Tesla may have a fight ahead as it competes with energy storage rivals like Bloom Energy. Even so, it suggests that Elon Musk and crew could play a significant role in modernizing California's power grid and hastening the state's shift to clean energy sources. If buildings can already store the energy they don't use and feed some of it back to the grid, it's that much easier for building owners and utilities to switch to green tech that makes better use of batteries.

#zombieproofing

 

[riznick]

cool stuff... 

 

[AW]

Nice. The home version should be great. Maybe not so great for the energy companies.  Guess they'll have to raise rates when that happens.

 

[nosuchreality]

Nice. The home version should be great. Maybe not so great for the energy companies.  Guess they'll have to raise rates when that happens.

Good question, come January and a dark weekend of rain, how much will those few kilowatts be worth to you when your batteries are drained?  Like water, the cost to provide you 30 kWh once every six months and cost to provide it daily are nearly the same.

 

[riznick]

Good question, come January and a dark weekend of rain, how much will those few kilowatts be worth to you when your batteries are drained?  Like water, the cost to provide you 30 kWh once every six months and cost to provide it daily are nearly the same.

Batteries drained?

I dunno, but in other areas the electric companies are charging people with fees to be connected to the grid.  I think that's what you are getting at.  That's where much of the expense is, so those people who thought they would be saving $80/mo end up only saving $30/mo when they have to pay the $50/mo fee.

With the programs in place today, I wonder how much I can save per month using the battery.  For example, we might be paying a higher fee to avoid rolling blackouts.  If that's the case, I can sign up to be on the rolling blackout list and get a big discount.  (Not sure if they still have that)

 

[nosuchreality]

Received our notice from SCE yesterday, they are "improving" their pricing, reducing the number of tiers and implementing a $10 minimum monthly charge for service.

So, hello 900% bill increase because if you don't use $10 of electricity, you'll be charged $10 to be hooked up.

 

[iacrenter]

I would love to go off the electricity grid. I'm waiting for a reasonably priced residential solar/battery package. Panels to provide electricity during the day and batteries for night time use. Current Tesla home batteries are not designed for daily charging/discharging. I would also want an option for a natural gas generator for emergency backup. Maybe another option to connect your electric/hybrid car to provide emergency power for your home.