Tesla has built a battery storage project consisting of 81 Megapacks in Angleton, Texas. These large batteries will provide more stable blackout protection while reducing community dependence on fossil fuels.
In February 2021, a winter storm hit Texas, leaving millions without power for days. Tesla CEO Elon Musk was also affected because he and his family were there at the time.
In addition, construction of Tesla's Giga Texas was interrupted for several days due to a power outage. The company became one of the companies that helped local residents by donating and shipping food and necessities. All of these reasons have prompted the company to want to help some regions prop up their energy markets.
In early March 2021, it was learned that Tesla was entering the Texas electricity market and was building a large battery pack connected to the grid. In late August, the company applied to become a Texas power supplier and revealed plans to enter the state's energy market. The Texas Public Utilities Commission certified Tesla as the state's electricity supplier in a document beginning November 3, 2021.
On Thursday, Tesla posted a video on YouTube about the horrific snowstorm and how Tesla's Megapack project would help the state avoid a similar occurrence if a similar incident happened again. Angleton's energy storage project, which totals 200 MWh of energy, is allowed to participate in the energy market while also supporting the Texas power grid during power outages.