Megapack Emergency Deployment
A recent test of a small, local power grid in Foresthill, California has given Tesla the opportunity to show off the versatility of their Megapack energy storage systems.
On August 18th, electricity provider PG&E performed a planned power shutoff to test emergency systems that would be used in case of forest fires. The test was centred around shutting down only the overhead wire connections - as the underground connections are typically safe in fire emergencies - and effected a microgrid containing 14 customers, including the local High School, water agency, a church, the local gas station, market, post office, bank, and some businesses and community services.
Foresthill is lucky, in that most of these critical locations are equipped with their own solar arrays - but if the overhead wire service is severed for whatever reason, they could be in serious trouble once their power reserves run dry.
To combat this, Foresthill - like many smaller communities - had been relying on diesel generators, but PG&E used the August 18th shutdown to test two new alternatives: a hydrogen-powered generator - and a mobile Tesla Megapack setup.
Tesla has only used this trailer-based megapack once or twice before - and it seems that travelling makes the packs a little less than stable - as the company discovered in January of this year, when a mobile Megapack/Supercharger setup caught fire in Baker, California.
However, no one was hurt, and it seems like they got the kinks worked out in time to take part in this test - which proved that a combination of the community’s existing power reserves, the new hydrogen generator, and a Tesla Mobile Megapack was enough to keep Foresthill up and running for 48 hours.
And as an added bonus, the Megapack solution proved quite versatile - being able to easily move and hook up to the buildings that required power the most.
Honestly this sort of test is hugely gratifying for the Tesla Megapack team. It’s clear that their battery storage systems are a good solution for keeping power grids stable - but rapidly deployable emergency power is something that is incredibly valuable, and finding a clean way to do that is even more so.
With Tesla able to send out these systems to disaster-prone areas, local officials can have a ready-to-use powersource when their grids fail - something that could keep their communities safe until help arrives.
Another win for the Megapack.