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Tesla, Second Quarter 2021

image credit: electrek.co
John Benson's picture
John Benson 114,977
Senior Consultant, Microgrid Labs

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Microgrid Labs, Inc. Advisor: 2014 to Present Developed product plans, conceptual and preliminary designs for projects, performed industry surveys and developed...

  • Member since 2013
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  • Jul 15, 2021
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When I write about Tesla, I write (mostly) about their battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Rarely do I suffer from a lack of material regarding this subject, but I guess we are currently in the summer doldrums, because I am running short of new news for the Tesla BEVs. About a week ago, I thought I might need to push this post into August. However suddenly, some material on major Tesla Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) have come to light. Then several interesting pieces about the BEVs popped up, and suddenly I have enough material for a post (albeit a minor one).

I already started out this month with articles on new vehicle shipments, and I will lead with this in Section 2, then the BESS News, then the rest of the BEV News.

Discussions
Matt Chester's picture
Matt Chester on Jul 15, 2021

Exciting to see the on-grid solutions continuing to come in from Tesla-- continued implementation will lead to some great data and dropping of learning curves that will undoubtedly inform the next generation of BESS as well

John Benson's picture
John Benson on Jul 15, 2021

Hi Matt, thanks for the comment.

Going forward Tesla is using LFP (LiFePO4 or Lithium Iron Phosphate). Lithium Ion Batteries for its lower cost BEVs (Model Y and Model 3 and the future $25K BEV) and evolving this to their new 4680 cell design. They also use the LFP Battery in their Megapack-based BESS. I would guess once they get the production of LFP-4680 batteries ramped up for their low-priced BEVs, they will also evolve the future Megapack (Giga-pack?) to this design. As they increase the manufacturing efficiency of this cell with attendant reductions in price, this will help them drive down the price of the overall future BESS.

 

-John

Matt Chester's picture
Matt Chester on Jul 15, 2021

As they increase the manufacturing efficiency of this cell with attendant reductions in price, this will help them drive down the price of the overall future BESS.

There's plenty to criticize about Elon, but one thing is undeniable: his work with Tesla helped spark the EV revolution and while they started expensive they were the key step towards getting them more affordable and accessible today and in the future. If Tesla does the same for BESS, we'll all be better off for it

Jim Stack's picture
Jim Stack on Jul 17, 2021

John,

    Thanks for keeping up with Tesla. As you know their new 4680 cells are a real great design. They now have at least 4 major battery makers producing them so they will ramp up fast. The promised cost reductions and better safer design will be welcome. I am sure these will be put into the Power Wall Power Pack and Mega Packs as production climbs. 

   I like how Tesla uses their advanced battery storage at some of their Super Charging sites. With their new 300 kW rate of charge these will need to keep the big loads off the GRID during Peak Hours. They have all the technology to make the GRID work better. 

   Other say solid state batteries will be just as good and affordable. Tesla is here and now while those other designs are still being developed and tested. It just gets better all the time. By the way I drive a Tesla model Y LR and they are amazing. I just wish Tesla would also provide V2G Vehicle to GRID so my home Solar would be EVen better. .   

John Benson's picture
John Benson on Jul 21, 2021

Thanks for the positive comment, Jim.

I covered the main solid state lithium metal design (QuantumScape) a few months ago, and continue to follow them. This post is linked below, and has some other developments.

https://energycentral.com/c/ec/new-battery-technology

However QS seems to be at least a couple of years from having product in production volume, and some investors are starting to question them, which is probably why their stock has tanked lately (see a good report from this morning below).

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/topstocks/qs-stock-quantumscape-shares-g...

So it looks like Elon will have free rein for a few years before anyone rains on his EV parade. 

-John

John Benson's picture
Thank John for the Post!
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