Randy, I really appreciate how slow and thorough your videos are. I really like how you give the viewer a chance to see what’s being done. I rather see that than the whole entire area where things are mostly being stored. I like seeing those areas also but it’s nice to see what the workers are doing for a little bit before moving on. So my thanks.
I was in Georgetown for Thanksgiving. So Friday morning I drove out there to see the building. I was there at about 10:00am and they were working hard that day. It is huge. My brother in law insists there are people already in the office section of the building working. Like its finished out inside and Tesla people are already working there. I'm not sure.
Thanks Randy, nice to have you back. You give a different perspective than Jeff. He flies the same pattern but you explore important areas and other areas of interest that day. I always enjoy that.
Excellent design! Execution of plan leaves much room for improvement. Two recent examples.... 1) Trying to lay geomembrane liner in south pond before a rain event with no temporary containment pond in place, resulted in destruction of said liner. They actually filled in an area that they had to dig out later for the temporary pond! 2) East pond -- They ripped open one of the stormwater pipes before the long Thanksgiving weekend. Resulting in the biofiltration basin receiving some silting.
The city of Austin dictates most of the control of water runoff. They made suggestions, the general contractor drew up plans to include their requirements and I am sure that Tesla had to approve them. The result is that there is some deviation from the civil plans, but the function remains the same with the approval of the city engineers. Every detail is included in the civil plans including temporary dirt storage, dust control by the water trucks and almost every other aspect of construction. They probably have city inspectors living on site at Tesla's expense.
Are they getting curved glass windows on the corners? Great shots Randy , nice to have you back, I am learning patience waiting for signs of production starting while watching the inexorable progress!
South pond area -- @ 12:34 Concrete poured in pond outfall/overflow structure. @ 13:43 Metal deck pan placed on top of splitter box to pond outfall structure. Geofoam blocks placed behind retaining wall. @ 14:30 Metal deck pan placed on top of splitter box. Access hole will be cut later. Extra panels off to the side in case they "F" something up :)
Hi David, I haven't been paying too much attention to these ponds...... Are South and East ponds we are seeing being designed to not be ponds? Looking at them the past few days, it looks like the design is set up so that runoff flows into them, percolates through multiple levels, and then exits out the bottom into the river, therefore never really being ponds in the traditional sense, just bio water percolaters........ So we shouldn't be seeing any standing water, unless it is shortly after a rainstorm. Is this interpretation correct?
@@dalerichardson7202 Correct for the east pond. But... The water the water percolates to a collection grid and into the outfall channel. Which drains into another existing pond. Not the river. The South pond is different. It is a wet pond with a waterproof liner. So under normal conditions, the only way water can leave the pond is through evaporation or out the three 1' overflow orifices at an elevation of 6'. The pond overflow connects to one of the river outlet pipes. During a normal rain event, water moves through the pond and out the overflow. The pond has a surge capacity and can rise to 13' in heavy rain. At 13' water begins to flow over the weir in the splitter box, and out the river outlet pipes. Cutting off any further rise in water level in the pond. After the rain stops, water in the pond continues to flow out the overflow drain until it drops back down to 6'. Waiting for the next rain.
My guess is Berlin since they had a head start and have continued work. Permitting seems to be the bottleneck. Although it appears both factories will begin production at about the same time, I predict that Berlin will ramp more quickly because of that.
@@jbbuzzable - oh definitely....I know Berlin is ahead of Austin, but I saw the recent 2:30min video about inside GigaBerlin, and it looked amazing, completely finished. I just wondered if the Texas factory had all the lights installed inside, and it’s all painted white and there are lots of robots and work stations along the production line like in Berlin. I’m also excited to see the video of the inside of the full scale battery factory, whenever they decide to show that.
@ 16:09 My guess is that single power pole sticking out into parking area will be removed at some point. Lack of provision for any landscaping between building and TxDOT property sucks! Architect responsible for design in this area, and around the building for that matter, should be replaced in my opinion!
@@patrickkenny2077 I agree, but there is still a wide strip with no vegetation, unless changes are made. Right now, from the building going west, there is.... Parking ---> Road ---> More parking. No room for a single blade of grass!
I was told by Elton Ray that the single power pole you are talking about supplies power to the stormwater lift station and will likely not be relocated
The conduits installed a while back that cross the road by the south pond are for three utility circuits; I’m sure all the wood poles around the factory will go before too long.
While I like pretty property as much as the next guy, for a car factory I'm not sure that the landscaping is high on my priority. Residential? A shopping mall? Some place that goes public goes, well maybe. But a factory. Plus, there was never going to be a lot of room and if you are traveling the toll road you won't see it anyway because of the elevation difference. So save the money for other areas. Like the entrance roads etc.
not in the USA but in austin they do because it rains like a MFer in austin in May. They have a rainy season where it will rain an inch every day for a month. Go back and look at the end of may videos from this year. they had puddles 50 feet across, and they didn't do anything about them. Batteries use water to wash the battery rocks around? I don't 100% get it, but batteries do use water.
@@gentlestorm I recall a meeting where the Austin water management board was reviewing the Tesla permit application. They were mostly concerned with the water retention plans as the Texas megadrought from a few years ago was fresh in their minds.
Questions: Where will the cars (trucks) exit the building? Where will the test track be? And, were will cars line up for transport? Bonus: Will Tesla ship care out of Galveston? Your thoughts.
Cars come off the "general assembly" line. California factory has like 6 general assembly lines, so the cars roll out every door they have. Elon built this cause its close to austin, and austin loves tesla cars. the rich nerds in austin love teslas. the only issue with this factory is that its not super close to a railroad, which would mean it could move cars easier and faster.
I think at the present time the focus is on producing products. They have about 3,000 acres of land and they can build anything required as they ramp up production.
@@davidanalyst671 there are two different rail lines about 5 miles away but Tesla doesn't usually move cars via rail. As for Galveston, you have the Port of Houston which is much bigger and has car handling facilities. They could also use one of the other ports if the wanted to build something for exclusive use.
8:50 Now I see they just need a couple elbows here and everything can be back filled. Thanks
Randy, I really appreciate how slow and thorough your videos are. I really like how you give the viewer a chance to see what’s being done. I rather see that than the whole entire area where things are mostly being stored. I like seeing those areas also but it’s nice to see what the workers are doing for a little bit before moving on. So my thanks.
You are very welcome!
I was in Georgetown for Thanksgiving. So Friday morning I drove out there to see the building. I was there at about 10:00am and they were working hard that day. It is huge.
My brother in law insists there are people already in the office section of the building working. Like its finished out inside and Tesla people are already working there. I'm not sure.
Yay TEXLA Randy
Thanks Randy, nice to have you back. You give a different perspective than Jeff. He flies the same pattern but you explore important areas and other areas of interest that day. I always enjoy that.
I skip through about half of Jeff's videos everyday.
Very thorough job ! You and Tegtmeyer do a very complete review. Thanks
I completely agree, Randy and Joe really get into the details and I appreciate that.
Wonderful job as usual. :)
It is mind boggling how much skill and effort has been dedicated to the management of water on this project. Great job!
not really. its austin and it rains like a MF'er in may. Everywhere in austin has drainage plans for everything because it rains so much.
@@davidanalyst671 What improvements would you suggest?
Excellent design! Execution of plan leaves much room for improvement. Two recent examples.... 1) Trying to lay geomembrane liner in south pond before a rain event with no temporary containment pond in place, resulted in destruction of said liner. They actually filled in an area that they had to dig out later for the temporary pond! 2) East pond -- They ripped open one of the stormwater pipes before the long Thanksgiving weekend. Resulting in the biofiltration basin receiving some silting.
The city of Austin dictates most of the control of water runoff. They made suggestions, the general contractor drew up plans to include their requirements and I am sure that Tesla had to approve them. The result is that there is some deviation from the civil plans, but the function remains the same with the approval of the city engineers. Every detail is included in the civil plans including temporary dirt storage, dust control by the water trucks and almost every other aspect of construction. They probably have city inspectors living on site at Tesla's expense.
@@eltonray2934 You still have not stated what your perceived problem is.
Edit: Like how does this relate to the Tesla factory?
great backing track. nice fluid flybys. You and WuWa are artists with a drone
Thanks for the sweet update Randy!
Sehr schönes Video, ruhig, genug Zeit zum Schauen und doch systematisch!
Thank you!
Once again, beautiful work Randy. Thank you so much for your detailed flyovers.
Great video, thanks Randy! Enjoyed the music.
Merci👍👍👍
Thank you 🙏
Thanks, Randy for the complete and leisurely coverage. Great video.
thanks randy for another great video
Are they getting curved glass windows on the corners? Great shots Randy , nice to have you back, I am learning patience waiting for signs of production starting while watching the inexorable progress!
No
That black top lot had medians for like 35 stall supercharger
South pond area -- @ 12:34 Concrete poured in pond outfall/overflow structure. @ 13:43 Metal deck pan placed on top of splitter box to pond outfall structure. Geofoam blocks placed behind retaining wall. @ 14:30 Metal deck pan placed on top of splitter box. Access hole will be cut later. Extra panels off to the side in case they "F" something up :)
Hi David, I haven't been paying too much attention to these ponds...... Are South and East ponds we are seeing being designed to not be ponds? Looking at them the past few days, it looks like the design is set up so that runoff flows into them, percolates through multiple levels, and then exits out the bottom into the river, therefore never really being ponds in the traditional sense, just bio water percolaters........ So we shouldn't be seeing any standing water, unless it is shortly after a rainstorm. Is this interpretation correct?
@@dalerichardson7202 Correct for the east pond. But... The water the water percolates to a collection grid and into the outfall channel. Which drains into another existing pond. Not the river.
The South pond is different. It is a wet pond with a waterproof liner. So under normal conditions, the only way water can leave the pond is through evaporation or out the three 1' overflow orifices at an elevation of 6'. The pond overflow connects to one of the river outlet pipes. During a normal rain event, water moves through the pond and out the overflow. The pond has a surge capacity and can rise to 13' in heavy rain. At 13' water begins to flow over the weir in the splitter box, and out the river outlet pipes. Cutting off any further rise in water level in the pond. After the rain stops, water in the pond continues to flow out the overflow drain until it drops back down to 6'. Waiting for the next rain.
@@DavidJohnson-tv2nn if the south pond holds water, why all the topsoil?
@@BrianM853 Yes, this is what drove my question......
@@DavidJohnson-tv2nn Thanks! See Brians question as it is mine as well.
Again Excellant overview! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
16:09 I think this asphalt might be the test track? It’s close to where the finished cars will exit and they’re going to need a test track very soon!
Very possible.
The site plan indicates parking unless changes were made.
Wouldn't be surprised if they used COTA for testing.
19:35
On the left side of the screen, what is that fountainhead all about? Is it an aerator, or is it for some other function?
Aerator, according to previous discussions.
Since it is there the pond seems noticeably greener.
What’s the next building going up? That’s a lot of steel they have staged.
Battery cathode plant
15:19 Crowded skies - another drone's shadow can be seen
Brad's drone
Not seeing it.
How far along is the inside of the factory compared to GigaBerlin ?
berlin workers sleep 4 hours in the afternoon, and they only work until 4pm
My guess is Berlin since they had a head start and have continued work. Permitting seems to be the bottleneck.
Although it appears both factories will begin production at about the same time, I predict that Berlin will ramp more quickly because of that.
@@jbbuzzable - oh definitely....I know Berlin is ahead of Austin, but I saw the recent 2:30min video about inside GigaBerlin, and it looked amazing, completely finished.
I just wondered if the Texas factory had all the lights installed inside, and it’s all painted white and there are lots of robots and work stations along the production line like in Berlin.
I’m also excited to see the video of the inside of the full scale battery factory, whenever they decide to show that.
Top
@ 16:09 My guess is that single power pole sticking out into parking area will be removed at some point. Lack of provision for any landscaping between building and TxDOT property sucks! Architect responsible for design in this area, and around the building for that matter, should be replaced in my opinion!
There will likely be some kind of retaining wall and stepped vegitation
@@patrickkenny2077 I agree, but there is still a wide strip with no vegetation, unless changes are made. Right now, from the building going west, there is....
Parking ---> Road ---> More parking. No room for a single blade of grass!
I was told by Elton Ray that the single power pole you are talking about supplies power to the stormwater lift station and will likely not be relocated
The conduits installed a while back that cross the road by the south pond are for three utility circuits; I’m sure all the wood poles around the factory will go before too long.
While I like pretty property as much as the next guy, for a car factory I'm not sure that the landscaping is high on my priority. Residential? A shopping mall? Some place that goes public goes, well maybe. But a factory. Plus, there was never going to be a lot of room and if you are traveling the toll road you won't see it anyway because of the elevation difference. So save the money for other areas. Like the entrance roads etc.
Where’s Randy? I hope all is well.
Do all factories have such huge water management systems around them?
Not that I have ever seen.
@@jbbuzzable Maybe this area has regular heavy rainfall and flooding.
not in the USA but in austin they do because it rains like a MFer in austin in May. They have a rainy season where it will rain an inch every day for a month. Go back and look at the end of may videos from this year. they had puddles 50 feet across, and they didn't do anything about them. Batteries use water to wash the battery rocks around? I don't 100% get it, but batteries do use water.
@@davidanalyst671 What improvements would you suggest?
@@gentlestorm I recall a meeting where the Austin water management board was reviewing the Tesla permit application.
They were mostly concerned with the water retention plans as the Texas megadrought from a few years ago was fresh in their minds.
at this speed giga berlin would be done already
Questions: Where will the cars (trucks) exit the building? Where will the test track be? And, were will cars line up for transport? Bonus: Will Tesla ship care out of Galveston? Your thoughts.
Cars come off the "general assembly" line. California factory has like 6 general assembly lines, so the cars roll out every door they have. Elon built this cause its close to austin, and austin loves tesla cars. the rich nerds in austin love teslas. the only issue with this factory is that its not super close to a railroad, which would mean it could move cars easier and faster.
@@davidanalyst671 Tesla had a bad experience using railroads in Fremont so probably doesn't mind...
@Backlash
Joe Tegtmeyer's Thanksgiving video goes into all the details you asked about. Watch it.
I think at the present time the focus is on producing products. They have about 3,000 acres of land and they can build anything required as they ramp up production.
@@davidanalyst671 there are two different rail lines about 5 miles away but Tesla doesn't usually move cars via rail. As for Galveston, you have the Port of Houston which is much bigger and has car handling facilities. They could also use one of the other ports if the wanted to build something for exclusive use.
He’s back! First