Good use of the day as the launch rescheduled for the 19th now. Much appreciate your coverage of this facility. It is a complex process they are building which your flights covered nicely. The impact of change is lots of good jobs and economic growth for the area.
Thanks Joe 0:56. Kiln. Series of large pipes and square structures in front of the kiln is not unlike the baghouse structure at GT. 1:13. Red beams at the top of the structure are beams for the bridge crane rails. Installed bridge crane seen far right at 1:18, and 12:35. 3:03. Dump for spoil. Bottom right. Berm/embankment looks man made. An old stockpile of earth. 5:12. Stockpile of earth. The grey might be the local excavated earth. Light brown looks more like the sandy clay seen at GT. 8:00. Bottom. Concrete slab. Temporary pre-cast yard. Casting some components here for use elsewhere on the site. 8:24. Former pond. Excavating along the south side, and infilling the pond. See load be dumped at 17:03. 10:54. Transformers. 2 pairs of 2. Grey. More at 7:58 to the left. 13:15. Bulk storage building. 3 different roof pitches.
@@musaran2 Like a bad penny. I have an end date in mind. Unless something else catches my interest. The tunnel and baghouse has keep me going the last 12 months.
Outstanding report Joe. I suspect the water pond is for site drainage. The entire site situated on the flat low basin is a swamp with relatively high ground water table. You need to ensure adequate site drainage for stormwater and site ground stability. Cheers.
@@robertthallium6883Have you not seen an earnings call in the last 6 years? Half of the questions come from investors themselves via a vote for „the best“ questions. Tesla investors have become stupid as well. They ask customer questions in an earnings call 💀💀
Good progress since the last video - seems most of the main equipment are installed in the hydromet part, except agitators for autoclave (longer vessel with 5 flanges for agitators for each compartment, 14:25) and filters in the three taller buildings before evaporation & crystallization. Lots of piping, EIA work still to be done before commissioning.
As the Lithium plant had rail access, the Spodumene concentrate could come from anywhere in North America. Perth is a major world Lithium supply port, and connected to the US east coast/Gulf by shipping lines and Mediterranean transshipment ports. Tesla could by Spodumene concentrate from many places, but Australia is an approved partnership country for critical minerals. Tesla will have placed orders for the concentrate - perhaps we will learn from whom when the first material arrives.
Joe, this looks like a two line lithium processing plant. One line is being constructed and will be operated first to produce the raw material for the cathode plant at Giga Texas. The second processing line will probably take a much longer time to get started on the construction. As you mentioned, lithium supply and demand are factors that affect the production from this Corpus Christi plant.
Legacy auto announced all manner of things with regard to future EV expansion and that immediately stoked the fire of refined mineral production. But.... during the second half of 2023 and into 2024, Ford and GM totally reversed course leaving a glut of minerals used in battery production. Spot price of lithium alone has dropped by around 83% since March last year and along with the glut it has been cheaper to buy it in. Elon has said they should reach price parity with outside supply by year end though never got into useful details. I personally think that there will be no significant change until mid 2025 or even later.
Two questions: 1. do you think they will eventually install a small or large(Giga Texas size) megapack grid for backup power 2. percentage wise how far along do estimate this project to be? 40%??
How does the pollution from this lithium plant compare to the pollution of a typical petrochemical plant? Thanks for the info. If I drove down to watch the launch, where should I stay?
Hopefully they are able to take advantage of the train tracks that are located in front of the facility for processing the bulk materials. Now they just need to add a rail line between Giga Texas and the future Mexico Giga factory.
Lots of equipment, sensors, motors, etc to get running. They will probably first do dry runs without raw material, then runs with raw material to calibrate the sensors and equipment, and finally runs that test production quality and volume. You would only use a train when you had a trainload a week or more. I expect spodumene is not sent as a bulk material - lose in a cargo hold of a bulk ship, but in six metre (20 ft) long containers that are allowed to weigh 30 tonne. How it is sent is a question worth asking. The 40 ft containers are also only allowed to weigh 30 tonne. Spodumene in containers would allow purchase from any spodumene concentrate plant in the world. However, consistent raw material is key to the quality of output. Many Australian producers are near Perth. Containers of spodumene concentrate could be send weekly from Perth to a transshipment hub in the Mediterranean, then onto ships bound for the US Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Corpus Christi could be the last US port of call, but the ship might also go to Mexican ports too.
@peteregan3862 I *think* the philosophy Tesla is pursuing is more about localizing supply chains, as long as they keep some flexibility in sourcing. Reduce costs as far as possible, but not at the cost of security of supply. The rail line should serve well for Lithium sources within NA.
@@rozonoemi9374Solid state battery cells do not use liquid electrolyte but ceramic. The Cathode is still made of lithium and the Anode of carbon. Only if you switch the chemicals to Sodium or Ka, Ca the Lithium is not used anymore.
Great video, Joe! Perhaps the pond is part of the process, either they will be pumping lithium rich ground water into the pond for evaporation and settling, or mining the lithium from the excavation you mention has appeared since the last visit. Methinks the light coloured soil in the area is an indication of lime aka calcium carbonate, which is needed for the separate the unwanted elements.
@@jenskuhn2052 thx! I did go into this in much greater detail in this 6-part series. th-cam.com/play/PLu8Q3qfhxc3sp_e3STcO9sdyTMXXAqYH9.html&si=sknBa1Tv8GTCmmxE
I expect they will get containers of spodumene sent to the plant for the early part of commissioning. Perhaps we won't see the rail spur built until mid 2025.
Last I heard the 4680 project management at Giga Texas is under the gun to work out the manufacturing problems within the next 12 months or be shut down. I wonder how that would affect the Corpus Christi lithium hydroxide plant.
Good use of the day as the launch rescheduled for the 19th now.
Much appreciate your coverage of this facility. It is a complex process they are building which your flights covered nicely.
The impact of change is lots of good jobs and economic growth for the area.
@@sagecoach thanks and the trip to Starbase and the weather worked out really well to stop at the Lithium plant! Glad you enjoy the views!
Thanks Joe
0:56. Kiln. Series of large pipes and square structures in front of the kiln is not unlike the baghouse structure at GT.
1:13. Red beams at the top of the structure are beams for the bridge crane rails.
Installed bridge crane seen far right at 1:18, and 12:35.
3:03. Dump for spoil. Bottom right. Berm/embankment looks man made. An old stockpile of earth.
5:12. Stockpile of earth. The grey might be the local excavated earth. Light brown looks more like the sandy clay seen at GT.
8:00. Bottom. Concrete slab. Temporary pre-cast yard. Casting some components here for use elsewhere on the site.
8:24. Former pond. Excavating along the south side, and infilling the pond. See load be dumped at 17:03.
10:54. Transformers. 2 pairs of 2. Grey. More at 7:58 to the left.
13:15. Bulk storage building. 3 different roof pitches.
Oh hi, you still at it!
@@musaran2 Like a bad penny.
I have an end date in mind. Unless something else catches my interest. The tunnel and baghouse has keep me going the last 12 months.
Outstanding report Joe. I suspect the water pond is for site drainage. The entire site situated on the flat low basin is a swamp with relatively high ground water table. You need to ensure adequate site drainage for stormwater and site ground stability. Cheers.
@@peterjohn5834 😎
I wish they would talk about this on earnings calls. Instead they ask the same questions all the time.
You think bank goons are intelligent?
@@robertthallium6883Have you not seen an earnings call in the last 6 years? Half of the questions come from investors themselves via a vote for „the best“ questions.
Tesla investors have become stupid as well. They ask customer questions in an earnings call 💀💀
Thanks, Joe!
Very informative as always!!
Good progress since the last video - seems most of the main equipment are installed in the hydromet part, except agitators for autoclave (longer vessel with 5 flanges for agitators for each compartment, 14:25) and filters in the three taller buildings before evaporation & crystallization. Lots of piping, EIA work still to be done before commissioning.
If you get the opportunity, can you add some timestamps for these components please.
Thanks!
@@douglasmurphy6385 thank you Douglas! Very appreciate the support!
As the Lithium plant had rail access, the Spodumene concentrate could come from anywhere in North America. Perth is a major world Lithium supply port, and connected to the US east coast/Gulf by shipping lines and Mediterranean transshipment ports. Tesla could by Spodumene concentrate from many places, but Australia is an approved partnership country for critical minerals. Tesla will have placed orders for the concentrate - perhaps we will learn from whom when the first material arrives.
Thanks Joe!
Joe, this looks like a two line lithium processing plant. One line is being constructed and will be operated first to produce the raw material for the cathode plant at Giga Texas. The second processing line will probably take a much longer time to get started on the construction. As you mentioned, lithium supply and demand are factors that affect the production from this Corpus Christi plant.
@@ismailnyeyusof3520 yes, two parallel processing lines with different construction timetables!
Legacy auto announced all manner of things with regard to future EV expansion and that immediately stoked the fire of refined mineral production. But.... during the second half of 2023 and into 2024, Ford and GM totally reversed course leaving a glut of minerals used in battery production. Spot price of lithium alone has dropped by around 83% since March last year and along with the glut it has been cheaper to buy it in. Elon has said they should reach price parity with outside supply by year end though never got into useful details. I personally think that there will be no significant change until mid 2025 or even later.
Great presentation Joe!
Thank you Joe, really enjoy your informative videos!
@@markwhitman860 😎👍
Wish you had pointed out the spot where they formally broke ground last year - you did mention it in passing!
But the ariel shots are amazing 👌👍👏👏
Two questions:
1. do you think they will eventually install a small or large(Giga Texas size) megapack grid for backup power
2. percentage wise how far along do estimate this project to be? 40%??
Well Joe, I wish I had seen this Saturday because I would have realized that I drove by it on US 77 or I 69E!
Will they process lithium clay as well or just spodumene?
@@146balmoral eventually but that will require additional construction. Also battery black mass processing too
Awesome progress. Thank you Joe.
How does the pollution from this lithium plant compare to the pollution of a typical petrochemical plant? Thanks for the info. If I drove down to watch the launch, where should I stay?
Your BBQ will expose you to considerably more pollution. You will be exposed to more chemicals cleaning your toilet and shower than this facility.
@@guyg2005 check out this 6 part series, particularly Parts 5 & 6
th-cam.com/play/PLu8Q3qfhxc3sp_e3STcO9sdyTMXXAqYH9.html&si=sknBa1Tv8GTCmmxE
Residue is supposedly water and sand.
Your petrochemical plants are allowed to pollute the land? Ours in Europe are not.
@@wolfgangpreier9160 Sad times. Some Countries treat the earth like we are not on it together. One Globe one rule. You don't shit where you eat.
Hopefully they are able to take advantage of the train tracks that are located in front of the facility for processing the bulk materials. Now they just need to add a rail line between Giga Texas and the future Mexico Giga factory.
Desde España... gracias por el video¡¡¡¡
Thank you Joe! You rock!
Thanks Dave!
Thanks
hey joe! you lost some weight! looking healthy sir.
Merci👍👍👍
Lots of equipment, sensors, motors, etc to get running.
They will probably first do dry runs without raw material, then runs with raw material to calibrate the sensors and equipment, and finally runs that test production quality and volume. You would only use a train when you had a trainload a week or more. I expect spodumene is not sent as a bulk material - lose in a cargo hold of a bulk ship, but in six metre (20 ft) long containers that are allowed to weigh 30 tonne. How it is sent is a question worth asking. The 40 ft containers are also only allowed to weigh 30 tonne.
Spodumene in containers would allow purchase from any spodumene concentrate plant in the world. However, consistent raw material is key to the quality of output. Many Australian producers are near Perth. Containers of spodumene concentrate could be send weekly from Perth to a transshipment hub in the Mediterranean, then onto ships bound for the US Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Corpus Christi could be the last US port of call, but the ship might also go to Mexican ports too.
@peteregan3862 I *think* the philosophy Tesla is pursuing is more about localizing supply chains, as long as they keep some flexibility in sourcing. Reduce costs as far as possible, but not at the cost of security of supply. The rail line should serve well for Lithium sources within NA.
Is Spodumene produced in the US? It would be nice to have a self contained supply chain in the US as a hedge and to keep the prices in check.
I think the original plan was to use lithium mined from teslas own lithium mine located in Nevada. Lithium prices could affect this strategy.
@@robdewdney3197 Thanks.
this currently looks like an experiment. not large enough for production.
Is this the same as EnergyX?
No.
Do you think Tesla are slowing down it's lithium plant due to possible new Solid State battery chemistry?
@@favesongslist no, not in the least.
No I don't think so as solid state batteries will be more expensive than lithium base batteries.
@@rozonoemi9374Solid state battery cells do not use liquid electrolyte but ceramic. The Cathode is still made of lithium and the Anode of carbon. Only if you switch the chemicals to Sodium or Ka, Ca the Lithium is not used anymore.
No, Lithium is still the most efficient ion transport material known.
Ah yes, the Rockwell Retro Encabulator…
Great video, Joe! Perhaps the pond is part of the process, either they will be pumping lithium rich ground water into the pond for evaporation and settling, or mining the lithium from the excavation you mention has appeared since the last visit. Methinks the light coloured soil in the area is an indication of lime aka calcium carbonate, which is needed for the separate the unwanted elements.
@@jenskuhn2052 thx! I did go into this in much greater detail in this 6-part series.
th-cam.com/play/PLu8Q3qfhxc3sp_e3STcO9sdyTMXXAqYH9.html&si=sknBa1Tv8GTCmmxE
@@JoeTegtmeyer Great series.
I expect they will get containers of spodumene sent to the plant for the early part of commissioning. Perhaps we won't see the rail spur built until mid 2025.
@@peteregan3862 perhaps correct … I’m curious to see how they ramp up and as you suggest, it might be a multi-stage process
Last I heard the 4680 project management at Giga Texas is under the gun to work out the manufacturing problems within the next 12 months or be shut down. I wonder how that would affect the Corpus Christi lithium hydroxide plant.
They already solved the 4680 problems.
I think the deadline was end of year 2024, but as rozonoemi9374 said, those problems have been solved.
Hello, love your video. Do you know when this plant will be finished?