We have previously commented on Tesla’s microgrid patent applications, and in related news we now bring you news of Tesla’s application for a UK power generation licence.
According to an article in today’s online edition of the energyst magazine:
Tesla Motors has applied for a UK power generation licence.
The company’s application, signed off by Tesla energy products sales director, Evan Rice, was published by energy regulator Ofgem.
The move suggests Tesla may be planning to build large-scale battery storage projects in the UK, as it has done in countries such as Australia, where it constructed a 100MW scheme in less than 100 days in late 2016.
However, it may mark Tesla’s first UK move into aggregation, as it eyes the virtual power plant (VPP) market.
The company’s ‘autobidder’ platform aims to make money from distributed batteries via real time trading and optimisation.
As well as its electric car business, Tesla also supplies battery storage for homes and businesses, plus solar roof tiles. The autobidder platform aims to harness everything from behind the meter home batteries to utility scale assets, bidding in flexibility to all available markets.
Tesla’s application to Ofgem reads as follows:
Tesla Motors Limited… hereby gives notice that it has made an application to the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority… for an electricity generation licence under section 6(1)(a) of the Electricity Act 1989 authorising it to generate electricity in the area specified in Schedule 1 for the purpose of giving a supply to any premises or enabling a supply to be so given.
SCHEDULE 1
SPECIFIED AREA
Great Britain, the territorial sea adjacent to Great Britain or in a Renewable Energy Zone.
where: Renewable Energy Zone has the meaning given by section 84(4) of the Energy Act 2004.
Our first thought regarding this interesting news here at V2G UK?
The $64,000 question!
Are @Tesla and/or @elonmusk planning to deploy #V2G technology yet? https://t.co/W23RVzIhlo
— V2G Limited (@V2gUK) April 30, 2020