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[ShadowSwordmaster]

https://futurism.com/new-photos-show-construction-on-teslas-gigafactory-is-nearly-complete/

Tesla is making some major moves with its massive Gigafactory in Nevada. The approximately 455,225 square meter (4.9 million square feet) operational space is inching closer to completion. The space is already being used to manufacture Powerpack 3 and Powerwall 2 battery units. It will soon also start churning out Tesla Model 3 vehicles.

Thanks to a powerline project taking place near the factory, we now have an update on the progress of the its construction from an aerial photo provided by NM Group. The last look we had was taken at the beginning of the year and showed a partially incomplete exterior. The new photo appears to show a completed structure.

While the factory is helping to create products that promote and allow the proliferation of renewable energy, it is going to be doing so with sustainability in mind. Tesla is hoping to power the factory using “100 percent sustainable energy.” The roof will be outfitted with a 70 MW solar array and additional solar panels will be constructed on the ground.

Further, powering the factory isn’t the only place where Tesla is focusing on sustainability. The factory’s water will come from a closed-loop water supply system. According to Tesla, “Gigafactory’s closed-loop water supply system uses six different treatment systems to efficiently re-circulate about 1.5 million liters of water, representing an 80% reduction in fresh water usage compared with standard processes.” They are also working on a state-of-the-art climate control system to save even more energy.

By 2020, the plant is expected to reach full production with 150 GWh of battery pack output. This would go a long way to making the world much safer by providing the means to store renewable energy.

 

[Disxo]

Insane, is it true that with 100 of these you can power the world?

 

[HariKari]

The eventual footprint of a 100% gigafactory is supposed to be much larger than that.

 

[ShadowSwordmaster]

The eventual footprint of a 100% gigafactory is supposed to be much larger than that.

That is crazy.

 

[RustyNails]

It wont be making anything until 2020, right?

 

[Disxo]

It wont be making anything until 2020, right?

A factory can produce stuff while its being built

 

[ShadowSwordmaster]

It wont be making anything until 2020, right?

That is for the batteries. It will also make the Tesla 3s durning this time.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Is it just out in the middle of nowhere? Seems like an annoying commute.

 

[sarcastor]

The eventual footprint of a 100% gigafactory is supposed to be much larger than that.

Why the fuck aren't there parking garages. You save space. Cars are not left in the hot burning sun. And you can totally look cool smoking cigarettes in it.

 

[Tuck]

Why the fuck aren't there parking garages. You save space. Cars are not left in the hot burning sun. And you can totally look cool smoking cigarettes in it.

Parking garages are very expensive

 

[shira]

Is it just out in the middle of nowhere? Seems like an annoying commute.

Makes it harder for the Resistance to get there when SkyNet comes online.

 

[Makai]

Is it just out in the middle of nowhere? Seems like an annoying commute.

Robots don't mind

 

[Ashhong]

Parking garages are very expensive

What makes them so expensive? Seems like a worthy investment, especially from a company like Tesla

 

[StopMakingSense]

Is it just out in the middle of nowhere? Seems like an annoying commute.

It's just 20 miles or so from the edge of the Reno metro area. By an Interstate.

 

[Unknown Soldier]

It wont be making anything until 2020, right?

It's making things right now and will soon be making more things. The Gigafactory is being built in segments, when a segment is finished it comes online and makes things while the next segment is built.

 

[Volimar]

So when the Stand superflu hits we're all heading for that thing right?

 

[Beartruck]

Good. Anything to bring the cost of electrics done. This countries going green whether politicians want it or not.

 

[Piggus]

It's big now, but when it's 100% complete it will be fucking enormous.

 

[SodiumBenzoate]

Is it just out in the middle of nowhere? Seems like an annoying commute.

Serious answer, a Lithium-ion battery factory is not something​ you would want to live next door to.

 

[Disxo]

It's big now, but when it's 100% complete it will be fucking enormous.

A modern marvel, wow.
Civ 7 better have this.

 

[Woorloog]

It's big now, but when it's 100% complete it will be fucking enormous.

Is it intended to be 100% self-sufficient when it comes to electricity? I mean, that's quite a lot of solar panel surface area. When it is finished that is.

EDIT Wait, 70MW solar array... uh, how much does an average coal plant produce? And an average nuclear plant?

 

[The Technomancer]

Godspeed. Here's hoping Tesla can keep it up

 

[Unknown Soldier]

A modern marvel, wow.
Civ 7 better have this.

Well at this point Elon Musk should be a Great Person in Civilization so Gigafactory could be the Wonder he's associated with

 

[guek]

I'm like 80% sure Musk is planning on building iron man armors in there

 

[ShadowSwordmaster]

Good. Anything to bring the cost of electrics done. This countries going green whether politicians want it or not.

Yep, We are dragging them to the green whether they like it or not.

 

[Bubble Metropolis]

I hadn't heard of this prior to seing the thread and the photos are drastically different from the mental image I had of a "Tesla Gigafactory."

With all of the random junk and cars everywhere it looks like a Twisted Metal stage.


Cool, though.

 

[greepoman]

Is it intended to be 100% self-sufficient when it comes to electricity? I mean, that's quite a lot of solar panel surface area. When it is finished that is.

EDIT Wait, 70MW solar array... uh, how much does an average coal plant produce? And an average nuclear plant?

Google says "As of 2012, there are 572 operational coal plants in the U.S. with an average capacity of 547 megawatts.". Nuclear says you need at least 1GW to be feasible.

So I suspect it's mainly just to provide power for itself.

And I have no clue where the other poster who thought 100 of these could power the world. Maybe if you consider the energy in all the batteries they're producing over like a 10 yr span.