The Battery Storage Network

Tesla Powerwalls start powering Vermont homes

One of the first homes to get the Tesla Powerwall is running. It's part of a one-of-a-kind partnership between Green Mountain Power and Tesla on an energy-storage project. We first told you about it back in May. Here's a reminder of how the technology works.

 Me, "The Powerwall is a distributed battery storage network. 100 houses with Powerwalls is like having 500 homes completely taken off the grid. Its a battery network that stores power when it is least used and returns it either in emergencies or when more power is needed."

From article, (One of the first homes to get the Tesla Powerwall is running. It's part of a one-of-a-kind partnership between Green Mountain Power and Tesla on an energy-storage project. We first told you about it back in May.

Here's a reminder of how the technology works. Large Tesla batteries are stationed outside and smaller ones are inside the homes of some Vermonters. During peak times of the day, when lots of people are using electricity, power is pulled from the batteries and sent across the state.

GMP representatives say that means they won't need to turn on costly generators, which saves customers money. The battery inside someone's home also acts as an energy-efficient generator when the power goes out.

McMahan is one of 102 Vermonters who have a Tesla Powerwall already up and running. I'm told 1,200 others are on a waiting list.
"Having those 100 signed up is like virtually disconnecting, like taking 500 homes completely off the grid. That's the equivalent," Powell said. "So you can only imagine when we get up to 2,000 and when we go further."

Back in McMahan's home, she signed up for two Powerwalls and pays $15 a month for each through the program. Normally, it costs $7,000 to $8,000 to order one from Tesla's website.

"If these continue as good as they are, if there wasn't a lease agreement, I would buy one," McMahan said. "I seriously would."

People who use the Powerwalls have an app on their phone that shows them when their Powerwall is being used and how charged it is.)

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