Tesla’s EV charging hub and off grid solutions

This week, we’re taking a look at how energy users are making the most of skinny grid connections, with Tesla’s latest EV charging hub at Lost Pines, California under the microscope - modelled in Gridcog.

In Industry Insights this week, we look at how grid-forming inverters are transforming the NEM, and Germany’s stance on EV flexibility in relation to future grid security.

And finally in our Product Corner we show how you can use Gridcog to model dynamic site constraints using customisable schedules for export, import, or evolving conditions.

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Deep Dive: Off-Grid Energy Solutions for EV Hubs

As network connections become harder and more expensive to find and connection queues blow out to 10+ years in some regions - businesses are increasingly looking to alternate options when they need additional energy supply. 

For example, many of the new breed of very large data centres (DCs) will be largely off-grid, but it's not just the DCs that are adopting this approach. Tesla's latest supercharger site at Lost Hills in California will support 168 x V4 fast chargers yet has a very skinny 1.5MW grid connection, apparently because the wait for substation upgrades was too long. 

Instead, they've built out a behind-the-meter solution for the rest of their needs, including 11MW of solar and a 39MWh battery. 

We spun up a Gridcog model to see how this site will play out in simulation, and also how many customers they might be able to serve before they need to increase the size of that BtM solar and BESS.

The Gridcog model suggests that about 65% of charger visits can be met by the solar and BESS, with the grid supplying the rest. The site is most vulnerable in January and December where a few consecutive low solar generation days create a pinch.

If they want to double visits per charger from our baseline of 8 per day to 16 per day they'll need to increase that solar from 11MW to 50MW and the battery from 39MWh to 60MWh.

We're seeing a lot of interest in modelling this type of project. Drop us a message if you'd like access to this model in particular, or to chat about the topic more generally.

Industry Insights: Grid-Forming Inverters Reshape the NEM

Grid-forming batteries are back in the spotlight. Following Koorangie’s landmark system security contracts, attention has shifted north to Queensland, where the Western Downs Battery – backed by Tesla and Neon – has expanded to 540 MW, making it the NEM’s largest storage system with a grid-forming inverter.

In South Australia, AEMO now allows the grid to run with just one synchronous generator at 275 kV when demand exceeds 600 MW, down from four in the past and two since 2021. SA relies on four synchronous condensers for stability, showcasing growing confidence in inverter-based technologies.

South Australia’s shift signals growing confidence in inverter-based technologies but also highlights tensions over who manages stability in a high-renewable grid. As more grid-forming inverters come online, the balance between regulated networks and private operators will shape the next phase of the NEM’s transition.

Industry Insights: Germany Highlights EV Flexibility as Key to Grid Security

On the other side of the hemisphere, the German Federal Network agency released its Electricity Supply Security report. This sensitivity analysis resulted in two main takeaways:

• In the Target scenario, bidirectional EV charging is expected to provide 6.6 GW capacity by 2035, reducing the immediate need for batteries. This is the favoured scenario from an economic perspective.
• For the Delayed Transition scenario, they found a reduction or delay in demand flexibility would have greater consequences on system security than a delay in renewable energy plants. Failing to manage load flexibility - including a low uptake of bidirectional EVs -  will result in the need to accommodate larger non-variable power capacity such as gas.

Product Corner: Site Connection Constraints in Gridcog

It’s increasingly common for sites connected to the grid to be offered non-firm/dynamic connection agreements by the network operator. 

Did you know that you can model dynamic site constraints with Gridcog? With our Site Export or Import Schedule, you can apply granular constraints to your site, all the way to interval level. If your needs are more complex, perhaps you want to reflect the results of a grid study, you can also upload your own schedule.

Join us next week at Gridcog Unplugged - Exploring Europe’s Biggest Flexibility Markets

Join us next Thursday in Shoreditch for an evening of energy insights, great company, and drinks, as we take a closer look at Europe’s most dynamic markets for flexible assets, and what the GB market can learn from them.

We’re thrilled to announce Rimshah Javed (Danske Commodities) and Henry Taylor (Kraken) as our first guest speakers, who will unpack lessons from system stress events, market hot spots, and what GB can learn from its neighbours.

📍 Shoreditch | From 5:30pm, chat starts 6:30pm

We invite you and your team to join us next Thursday - spaces are invite-only and limited, so RSVP below to secure your spot.

 See you at Solar & Storage Live: Birmingham

In two weeks’ time, the team head to Birmingham for three days of insightful chats and energy discussions. Don't miss Laura's speaking slot on Day 2:

"Solar and storage in Europe: Lessons from Germany's co-location success"

15:30 - 15:50, 24th September

Stage: SSL - Storage

Reach out to the team if you’re looking to catch up throughout the show. See you there!

That’s all for this week. If you’d like to see how Gridcog can model your energy projects, click here to book a call with our team.

Or, if you have any interesting project use-cases you’d like to see modelled in Gridcog, email our marketing wizard dan.pearson@gridcog.com and we’ll spin it up!