Image Credit: Tesla
Tesla has unveiled its next-generation utility storage products, the Megapack 3 and the Megablock, which the company says will slash both installation times and construction costs.
The Megapack 3 pushes the system’s power capacity from 3.9 megawatt-hours (MWh) up to 5 MWh, incorporating a larger battery module and a new 2.8-litre lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cell.
The pre-engineered Megablock incorporates four Megapack 3 units with a transformer and switchgear to present a 20 MWh block that it says will reduce installation times by 23 per cent, and slash construction costs by 40 per cent.
The new products were announced on the sidelines of the RE+ renewable energy convention being held in Las Vegas this week.
Tesla says the new Megapack 3 builds on the products previous generation battery technology, using the same inverter and fire protection system, but boasts 78 per cent fewer connections and introduces a more streamlined thermal bay for heat dissipation, using the same heat pump as the company’s Model Y electric SUV.
The Megapack 3 weighs in at around 39 tonnes, with approximately 75 per cent of its mass consisting of battery cells and is designed to suit ambient operating temperatures anywhere between -40°C to 60°C.
The Megapack 3 has been optimised for up to 8-hour applications and improved accessibility and serviceability, featuring front access and no more roof penetrations.
Tesla expects to begin production of the Megapack 3 in late 2026 at its Houston Megafactory, which is currently under construction and expected to boast an annual manufacturing capacity of 50 gigawatt-hours (GWh).
Tesla says the Megablock has been designed for 20 MWh of storage, offering a 25-year lifespan, over 10,000 charging cycles, and a 91 per cent round-trip efficiency at medium voltage, inclusive of auxiliary loads.
It has the same operating conditions as the Megapack 3. Tesla says the Megablock will allow the commissioning of a battery installation with 1 GWh of energy storage in around 20 business days.
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