World's largest Li-ion battery switches on

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill and Neoen Deputy CEO Romain Desrousseaux have turned on the world’s largest lithium-ion battery.

Tesla powerpacks, connected to Neoen’s Hornsdale windfarm, are now operational and delivering power to the National Energy Market, providing system security services to South Australia.

The launch follows a successful period of regulatory testing that ensured the battery’s ability to both act as a generator and charge to and from the National Energy Market.

The battery was delivered ahead of the SA Government’s deadline of the beginning of summer, and well ahead of Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s self-imposed deadline of “100 days or it’s free”, just 63 days after the grid connection-agreement was signed.

SA Premier Jay Weatherill said, “South Australia is now leading the world in dispatchable renewable energy, delivered to homes and businesses 24/7. This is history in the making.

“Neoen and Tesla approached the state government with their bold plan to deliver this project, and they have met all of their commitments, ensuring South Australia has back-up power this summer.”

Neoen Deputy CEO Romain Desrousseaux said, “Neoen is focused on delivering long-term, sustainable energy solutions to the country and ambitious projects like the Hornsdale Power Reserve will contribute to South Australia leading the way into a clean energy future.”

Tesla said the completion of the world’s largest lithium-ion battery in record time shows that a sustainable, effective energy solution is possible.