Background:
Auckland is in an era of huge growth. In a typical week, there are 825 new residents and 278 new dwellings required1. To support this growth, Auckland is investing in infrastructure, from transport to housing to energy distribution networks.
The Challenge:
Growth in and around Glen Innes in East Auckland meant that the existing power supply was being put under pressure, and increased capacity was required.
Traditionally this would have involved an upgrade to the existing substation, but new technology meant there were more options to consider to provide the most cost efficient and future-proofed solution.
Vector’s Solution:
Vector’s solution was to install Asia Pacific’s first grid-connected Tesla Powerpack at Glen Innes substation, which opened on 20th October 2016.
This solution allows us to continue to provide a secure, reliable power supply and defer a conventional and costly upgrade to the substation. The technology is modular and moveable, so the Powerpack can be relocated to another site if future growth in Glen Innes means a conventional network upgrade is required.
The battery stores energy during low demand and discharges during high demand to even out demand curves (peak shaving).
Battery Specifications:
Tesla Powerpack totalling 1MW/2.3MWh – the equivalent of powering 450 average homes for 2.3 hours.