Elon Musk's Tesla and SA Labor reach deal to give solar panels and batteries to 50,000 homes
By political reporter Nick Harmsen


Photo: Elon Musk and Jay Weatherill reach a deal to give batteries and solar panels to 50,000 homes.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-04/elon-musk-tesla-to-give-solar-panels-batte...

Updated about an hour ago


At least 50,000 homes in SA will be given solar panels and batteries in a scheme by Elon Musk's Tesla and the SA Government to build the world's largest virtual power plant, slashing household power bills in the process.

Under the deal unveiled by Premier Jay Weatherill ahead of the March state election, solar systems and batteries will be supplied and installed free of charge.

The cost of the project will be financed through the sale of electricity, generated by the panels, in what Mr Weatherill said would be the largest project of its kind.

The Government will this week issue an expression of interest for a retailer to deliver the program, with the intention of bringing additional competition to the market.

The retailer will have the right to tap output of the household batteries and solar panels to supply power into the grid.

A trial of the scheme in 1,100 Housing Trust properties has already begun.


Following the trial, a further 24,000 systems are set to be installed in Housing Trust properties.

A similar deal would then be offered to all South Australian households, with at least 50,000 systems to be installed within four years.

    "We will use people's homes as a way to generate energy for the South Australian grid, with participating households benefitting with significant savings in their energy bills," Mr Weatherill said.

The scale of the project will eclipse Canberra's Reposit Power Virtual Power Plant, which connects 250 homes and businesses to the grid, as well as similar schemes by AGL and SA Power Networks.

Mr Weatherill said analysis by economic consultancy firm Frontier Economics showed the 250 megawatt system in South Australia would lower energy bills for participating households by 30 per cent.

"More renewable energy means cheaper power for all South Australians," Mr Weatherill said.

"My government has already delivered the world's biggest battery. Now we will deliver the world's largest virtual power plant."

What this project will do is connect thousands of solar and battery systems to make one giant, coordinated virtual power plant," Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis said.

Sir lastnail wrote on Feb 4^th, 2018 at 2:33pm:



You're right Nail,
South Australia had their problems but before long we'll all be copying them as
their new power delivery systems come on line.

It took Elon Musk to show us the way.

hatman92 wrote on Feb 4^th, 2018 at 2:41pm:



Good on him - making money out of renewable energy instead
of lighting up stinking coal.

But there's more:








http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-14/solar-thermal-power-plant-announcement-for...

Solar thermal power plant announced for Port Augusta 'biggest of its kind in the world'

Updated 14 Aug 2017, 6:51pm


A 150-megawatt solar thermal power plant has been secured for Port Augusta in South Australia, State Premier Jay Weatherill has announced.

Construction of the $650 million plant will start in 2018.
Aurora facts:

    150-megawatt solar thermal power with eight hours of storage
    Plant will deliver 495 gigawatt hours of power annually, or 5 per cent of SA's energy needs
    Equivalent to powering more than 90,000 homes
    Located 30 kilometres north of Port Augusta
    Company says it is "completely emission free"


Mr Weatherill said the Aurora Solar Energy Project would be ready to go in 2020 and would supply 100 per cent of the State Government's needs.

The Government will pay a maximum of $78 per megawatt hour.

Mr Weatherill said the solar thermal plant was "the biggest of its kind in the world".

"Importantly, this project will deliver more than 700 jobs, with requirements for local workers," he said.

In September 2016, the Government launched a tender process to procure 75 per cent of its long-term power supply.

It said it wanted to attract a new competitor onto the market and put downward pressure on electricity prices.

The Government contract with United States operator Solar Reserve will last for 20 years, and was the "lowest cost option" of shortlisted bids for the project.

The maximum Government load is 125MW, meaning the plant will be able to supply other customers.

"This, in addition to our state-owned gas plant, and the world's largest lithium ion battery, will help to make our energy grid more secure," Mr Weatherill said.

Quick get a Kentucky Fried franchise down there. They can cut down on overheads.

I like this idea.. the Solar Train...

however.. I somewhat call Bullshit.. there is not enough panels to run the train on its roof or to recharge the batteries at an acceptable rate...

look at the shed beside it..

http://byronbaytrain.com.au

President Elect, The Mechanic wrote on Feb 4^th, 2018 at 3:42pm:


Yes agree, maybe the train has massive batteries charged by the shed

This story - the opening post - was on ABC news just now.

Guess what?

Malcolm Turnbull had nothing nice to say about it.