A Hawaiian island is one step closer to getting 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources.
Tesla, the clean energy powerhouse run by Elon Musk, has built a 13-megawatt solar farm on Kauai to help reduce the island's dependence on diesel-burning power plants.
Unveiled on Wednesday, the Kapaia project features 54,000 solar panels. But that's not what makes it so unique.
SEE ALSO:Looking for hope on climate change under Trump? Cities are where the action is.Perhaps most importantly, it includes over 270 of Tesla's Powerpack batteries, which will store some of the solar power created during the day and supply those electrons to the grid in the evening.
Tweet may have been deleted
The project -- the largest of its kind -- is expected to displace about 1.6 million gallons of diesel per year, Tesla said in an email.
Energy experts say storage is essential for making renewables competitive with fossil fuels. Unlike coal and natural gas plants, which operate on command, solar and wind farms operate intermittently and at different hours.
Batteries could also help utilities to harness the collective power of thousands of rooftop solar systems. With "virtual power plants," utilities can digitally aggregate solar-battery systems in an area to utilize their power all at once, simulating the flow from a singular power plant.
Tesla's Kapaia project features 272 Powerwall batteries.Credit: TeslaAcross the Hawaiian islands, utilities are required to get 100 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2045 -- the most ambitious Renewable Portfolio Standard of any U.S. state.
Kauai's main utility says it is well on its way to meeting that target thanks to a growing number of solar, small-scale hydropower and biomass projects.
Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) is the lone purchaser of power from Tesla's solar-battery system on the island. The arrangement marks the first time a U.S. utility has contracted out a system that stores and releases solar power after sunset.
Before this week, KIUC could operate using 100 percent of renewables, but only during occasional mid-day periods of high solar generation. The Kapaia project will allow the utility to operate at 100 percent renewables more often, and with greater stability, in the middle of the day, Tesla said.
Tesla's Powerpack batteries in Kauai were made at its $5 billion Gigafactory in Nevada.
TopicsSustainabilityTeslaElon Musk
(责任编辑：時尚)
Singapore rolls out videoFlorida hurricane forecast remains uncertain, but trends in state's favorTwo states took big steps this week to get rid of the tampon tax
Tyler, the Creator helped Frank Ocean celebrate 'Blonde' release in a delicious wayFyvush Finkel, Emmy winner for 'Picket Fences,' dies at 93J.K. Rowling makes 'Harry Potter' joke about Olympics event
LONDON -- For anyone who isn't familiar with the Olympics omnium events in the velodrome, the points
...[详细]Felix the cat just raised £5000 for charity because she's the hero we all need
LONDON -- Remember Felix, the Huddersfield train station cat who got promoted to Senior Pest Control
...[详细]Researchers create temporary tattoos you can use to control your devices
In the future, your tattoos could be much more than just ink designs.。Scientists have created a new
...[详细]New Zealand designer's photo series celebrates the elegance of aging
Not only is age nothin’ but a number -- it can be a asset when it comes to style. 。 That’
...[详细]Here's what 'Game of Thrones' actors get up to between takes
Warning: Contains some mild Season 6 spoilers right at the end (the video is spoiler-free). 。LONDON -
...[详细]Florida hurricane forecast remains uncertain, but trends in state's favor
For days, a war has been raging between two of the premiere computer models used to help predict the
...[详细]Satisfy your Olympics withdrawals with Nike's latest app
Following in the footsteps of last year's successful launch of Nike's Tech Book is back in its secon
...[详细]Felix the cat just raised £5000 for charity because she's the hero we all need
LONDON -- Remember Felix, the Huddersfield train station cat who got promoted to Senior Pest Control
...[详细]U.S. pole vaulter skids to a halt for national anthem
An American pole vaulter took his patriotism to the next level at the Olympics.
。Sam Kendricks, a sec
...[详细]Samsung Galaxy Note7 teardown reveals the magic behind the phone's iris scanner
Samsung's Galaxy Note7 is touted by many reviewers as one of the best, if not the best, smartphones
...[详细]