Tesla registered the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) for its Gigafactory in Texas to protect the plant from power outages. Tesla's energy storage device Megapacks will be able to store energy from solar panels that will be placed on the plant's roof to make the most of the plant's idle space.
In February 2021, a winter storm hit Texas, leaving millions without power for days. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has also been affected because he and his family live there. In addition, the construction of the Texas Gigafactory was also interrupted for several days due to a power outage. The company also helped local residents by donating and shipping food and necessities at the time.
In early March 2021, Tesla announced it would enter the Texas electricity market and build a large battery energy storage system connected to the grid, but the company did not disclose the specific construction. The project, which consists of 81 Tesla Megapacks, was completed last year in Angleton, Texas.
In late August 2021, 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 starting November 3, 2021.
In addition, observations of the progress of construction at the Texas plant in recent months show that Tesla has begun installing solar panels on the roof of the factory. Judging from the arrangement of the structure, the word "TESLA" will be displayed on it. Obviously, manufacturers want to be able to master the energy themselves and thus not rely on the national grid.
To achieve this, Tesla not only needs to install a large number of solar panels, but also the company's Megapacks energy storage system. According to a new filing to the city of Austin, Tesla is applying for a new project at the Texas plant to build the energy storage system. As shown in the following figure:
The project, called "GIGA TEXAS LCRA PERMANENT SWITCHYARD & BESS", covers an area of 53 acres and is a large area. This will be Tesla's second large battery energy storage system in Texas.