The Tesla Battery Can Change the World, But Will It?

Tesla Powerwall

We all know Tesla Motors as the company that produces arguably the nicest, all-electric automobiles that are currently on the market. I’ve had the pleasure of riding in a Model S and can personally attest to how great it is. However as spectacular as their vehicles are, Tesla is looking to expand their horizons. Their head-honcho, Elon Musk, has always described Tesla as “a technology company that happens to make cars”. In keeping true with that statement, Tesla has recently unveiled their newest product: the Tesla Powerwall. Essentially it is a massive battery that you keep in your home that can be used to power a variety of different things. It’s benefits seem to be practically endless and it has the potential to change the world. But will it?

There were a host of rumors for some time wondering if Tesla was going to release this product. Now that it is very true and a real product, and many people are looking to get their hands on the Powerwall. Already, over 38,000 people have pre-ordered the battery pack and it has sold out until the middle of 2016; a success by any business means. So what it is it, and what can it do for you?

Well the Powerwall is much more than just a home battery pack. It’s extremely streamlined and easy to use, and it will save you a lot of money of energy consumption. Fueled by the growing trend around the world where people are opting to live off the power grid, the Powerwall is the best way to provide energy for your home. If you have solar panels, then the Powerwall can charge off of that and store energy for later use. Typically extra energy that is unused by a home powered by solar panels is pumped back into the grid, and then your local energy company either gives you a deductible or even pays you back the difference. Instead, the Tesla Powerwall will allow you to save that energy for your own use. The Powerwall can also benefit people who still are on the grid who consume electricity like the vast majority of people. Energy rates fluctuate throughout the day, and are often the cheapest during the night. The Powerwall can detect this, and it will store energy when the rates are the lowest, thus saving the user a lot of money. Additionally if the power were to ever go off like from the result of a storm, the Powerwall will be able to keep your home running in addition to allowing you to charge essential electronic devices. So it offers savings and security. Not too bad right?

Tesla Powerwall 2

This type of technology is not anything new. There are a variety of companies that offer battery packs for homes, however none have ever been massed produced like this before, or offered in such a complete, hassle-free package. Tesla is one of the leading companies in the world in terms of lithium-ion batteries, and they have a host of patents and modern technology that makes their batteries arguably the best in the business. Theoretically in the long term, these Powerwalls will change the way people consumer energy and how energy companies deliver electricity. It will save money for both users and the energy companies, so everyone wins in the long run. You can even have multiple Powerwalls in your home, so even the largest mansions could theoretically benefit from their use.

There are currently two different Powerwall models. The first model offers 7 kWh in a daily cycle and is priced at $3,000. This would be the unit that you use everyday. Additionally their is the larger 10 kWh unit costs $3,500 and runs on a weekly cycle, so it’s more applicable as a backup energy source. While they are an expensive addition, the cost saving benefits will be worth it in the long run, and that’s exactly how they will change the world.

The Tesla Powerwall challenges how we use and consume energy, and it will save money for pretty much all parties involved. The Powerwall also has the potential to bring usable and sustainable energy to homes that are without any. A few solar panels and the Powerwall would be able to deliver energy to people in remote locations that otherwise have no access to electricity. So in the end, the Tesla Powerwall aims to cut costs on users utility bills. But more importantly, it has the potential to connect even more people around the world, and in a sustainable fashion at that. I think that these will be a success and they will forever revolutionize how we think about energy. Given the fact that they have sold-out on day one, they’re definitely going to be around for some time.

Photos from Tesla

Written by Sebastian Hensiek

From Philadelphia, Sebastian is a fan of music, writing, art, and entertainment.