Tesla Megapack Fire at Victorian Big Battery in Australia

Tesla Megapack Fire in Australia

A fire erupted on Friday morning involving a 13-tonne Tesla Megapack at a battery storage installation located in southeastern Australia. The incident transpired during testing procedures, occurring between 10:00 and 10:15 am local time, as reported by Victorian Big Battery.

Emergency Response

The local fire department dispatched a specialized crew to the Geelong, Victoria site. Fire Rescue Victoria personnel are employing a hazmat unit, typically used for handling hazardous chemical spills, alongside specialized drones for atmospheric monitoring.

The facility was promptly evacuated, and fortunately, no injuries were sustained, according to a statement released by Victorian Big Battery. Power to the grid has been disconnected, ensuring no disruption to the electric supply.

Public Safety Concerns

A warning concerning potentially toxic smoke has been issued for residents in the surrounding areas of Batesford, Bell Post Hill, Lovely Banks, and Moorabool, as detailed by The Sydney Morning Herald. Individuals are advised to seek shelter indoors, secure windows and ventilation systems, and bring pets inside.

Significance of the Facility

The Victorian Big Battery site, with a capacity of 300 MW/450 MWh, is considered crucial for the Victorian government’s objective of achieving 50% renewable energy by the year 2030.

This project builds upon the success of the 100 MW/129 MWh battery farm in Hornsdale, South Australia, also a collaboration between Neoen and Tesla. The Hornsdale facility was completed ahead of schedule and has generated substantial cost savings for both market participants and consumers.

Both battery storage sites function as a regional power backup, compensating for the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources. They effectively address the energy gap when solar and wind power generation are unavailable.

Operational Details

In February, Neoen announced the Victorian Big Battery would integrate Tesla’s Megapacks – large-scale batteries manufactured at the company’s Gigafactory – and utilize Autobidder software for power sales to the grid.

Victorian Big Battery operates under a contract with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). This agreement stipulates that the site will enhance energy stability by providing an additional 250 MW of peak capacity on the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector throughout the upcoming decade of Australian summers.

This article was originally published on Engadget.