A few weeks back, Tesla launched the ‘Powerwall’. The Powerwall is basically a home battery which uses solar energy and/or grid supply to charge itself. The device comes in two models and both of these can last up to 10 years. There’s a 10 kWh weekly cycle and a 7 kWh daily cycle. If required, one can install more batteries. The 10 kWh model can power your home for as much as 2 days without an energy source. This can prove to be highly useful if and when the grid breaks down or there’s a large scale power outage.
But how does the Powerwall work? It’s pretty simple to understand actually. Solar energy is at its peak when you’re sitting in your office chair rummaging through scores of digital files and data. So basically, you’re missing out on a lot of energy. Moreover, we use electricity at home during hours when the sun has gone down or isn’t up completely. Now this is where the Powerwall comes in. The Powerwall charges itself during daytime when you’re busy earning bread and butter. When you get home, you switch to a clean and renewable form of energy. In some places around the world, electricity during daytime is cheaper than electricity at night (peak hours). So the entire set-up is of more use for consumers in these areas.
The Powerwall requires a DC (Direct Current) to AC (Alternative Current) inverter so that you can use the stored power. This is because every battery stores and sheds out power in DC mode. Whereas all your electric appliances run on AC. Hence, a converter is a pre-requisite and currently does not come along with the Powerwall. The device is priced at around $3,000 and can help you save up to 30% on electricity. Tesla is running a pilot project in California and has installed the Powerwall in 500 homes so far. The future of battery-powered homes, it seems, is already here.
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(Featured Image Credit: sciencetimes.com)