The countdown is on as work on Vector Lights intensifies ahead of a spectacular launch this summer. 

In lighting up the bridge, an iconic piece of Auckland’s landscape will be brought to life, transforming Auckland Harbour Bridge into an immersive lighting experience. While this will captivate local crowds and visitors throughout the year for special events, it also puts Auckland on the global map, demonstrating its position as an innovative city leading the way with smart energy solutions. 

Lighting the bridge: How does it work?
The project integrates a mix of leading technology, using the latest solar, battery and peer-to-peer systems to deliver stored energy to the bridge. By using peer-to-peer technology, we’re able to virtualise the connection between the battery and the bridge and therefore balance the energy being used and discharged at any time.

Solar panels based in Wynyard Quarter will keep the new display lights powered even during the long nights and cloudy days of winter.​

• Energy generated by the solar panels, situated in Wynyard Quarter, will be stored in Tesla Powerpack (a battery).  This battery storage system uses the same technology that we used in our Glen Innes substation, the home of Asia Pacific's first grid-scale battery storage system to be integrated into a public electricity network.  

• Smart meters situated at the battery installation in the Wynyard Quarter and on the bridge will relay data between each other every 10 seconds 

• This means that the amount of energy Vector Lights uses at any one time will be relayed back to the battery which will then release this amount of energy back into the grid – ensuring a constant balance
  
   

Vector Lights Information Kiosk
If you’re walking by Karanga Plaza in Wynyard Quarter later this summer, be sure to stop by the solar-powered Karanga Kiosk being set up by Panuku Development Auckland. The interactive and educational kiosk will showcase Vector Lights and the connection to Wynyard Quarter as the heart of a creative, innovative and more sustainable city to live in.

Lighting by numbers

90,000 - The number of colour-changing LEDs on the bridge, as well as 100 spotlights. NZTA will also install additional LEDs to replace their current street and signage lighting.

600 - The number of solar panels providing energy for the bridge - 248 panels will be installed by the official launch, with more to follow.

400 - The battery storage for the bridge - 475kWh at first, with more added later is enough to power 400 average homes for an hour.

114 - The solar panels at Wynyard Quarter will deliver 114MWh of energy per annum - enough to power 11 homes for a year.

27 - By using solar and battery to power Vector Lights, as opposed to traditional means, we're avoiding 13.6 tons of carbon going into the atmosphere each year. When we add more solar and battery to power the street lights on the bridge, the carbon avoided each year will increase to 27 tons.