As Tesla Motors is just starting to ramp up its ‘Tesla Energy’ division, we learn that the company is already planning to release a second generation Powerwall, its home energy storage system, during summer 2016.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk made the comment during a recent exclusive event for Tesla owners in Paris:
“We are coming up with the version 2 of the Powerwall probably around July or August of this year, which will see further step changes in capabilities.”
In October 2015, the company moved the Tesla Energy production line from its Fremont factory to the ‘Gigafactory 1‘ in Nevada. Tesla has since been slowly ramping up for volume production to start in early 2016.
The timing of the release of the second generation Powerwall could coincide with the start of battery cell production at the Gigafactory, which is expected to start during the second half of the year. Tesla is expected to produce battery cells with “moderate improvements” in technology over its current cells manufactured by Panasonic.
The automaker currently uses nickel cobalt aluminum (NCA) battery cells for its vehicles and its back-up power battery packs like the 10 kWh Powerwall. For the 7 kWh daily cycling Powerwall, the company uses nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) cells, which typically have a longer cycle life, but less energy density.
Tesla didn’t reveal anything else about the battery cells it plans to produce in partnership with Panasonic at the Gigafactory, and Musk didn’t elaborate on what exactly will be the improvements on the second generation Powerwall, but there’s arguably room for improvements in power output and life cycle.
The specs of the first generation Powerwall:
Musk also added that the company has “a lot of trials underway” for both the Powerwall and Powerpack, and they are seeing “very good results”.
We reported on several new Tesla Energy projects in the past few weeks. The first Tesla Powerwall for residential use in Australia has reportedly been installed in a Sydney suburb last week, and Sprig Electric recently released the details of its energy storage project with 5 Tesla Powerpacks.
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Very interesting to see what this brings
Thanks for this. I’d not seen this reported anywhere else. A lot of shorts & naysayers have been crowing that Tesla is going to get skinned in a competitive, supposedly low-margin business and that other companies will produce or already have superior products.
But they never seem to grasp how quickly Tesla moves once they put a product out. With so many movements in EVs & energy storage and a very uncertain stock market, 2016 is going to be a VERY interesting year.
If they get this to $220/kwh, it’s cheaper (LCOE) than paying for a grid connection. Watch out utility companies.