The Tesla subsidiary Gambit Energy Storage LLC has been quietly building a massive facility south of Angleton, projected to have the capacity to provide 100 megawatts of electricity.
The "secret" site in a wooded area just west of Angleton features 20 rows of fabric-covered structures which, it's presumed, will house heavy-duty power-storage units. The gigantic battery array, set for completion in June, will reportedly be able to plug into the state power grid and supply some 20,000 homes on a hot summer day.
Tesla has not responded to inquiries about the project, and there's no suggestion of how the company would be compensated for any power it might provide. By storing excess wind- and solar-generated electricity when prices and demand are low, the company could sell it to the grid when called for.
Angleton Mayor Jason Perez says developers told the city in 2019, when first pitching the idea, that the facility could temporarily feed the grid in an emergency situation. The storage system sits next to a Texas-New Mexico Power substation.
Meanwhile, Perez says the facility would generate cash ... about $250,000 annually in school and property taxes.
Tesla owner Elon Musk slammed the Electric Reliability Council of Texas on Twitter last month as millions lost heat and power for days during the record-breaking statewide freeze. While Tesla is known for its battery-powered vehicles, its official mission is to “accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.”
The company already has battery packs connected to Southern California Edison’s Mira Loma substation, east of Los Angeles. That 20-megawatt system supports grid operations during peak hours.
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