The world of energy is changing rapidly through innovation and new technology, especially when it comes to the electrification of transport in the city of Auckland.

Data from the Ministry of Transport shows there are about almost four times the number of electric vehicles (EVs) registered in Auckland (4,109) than there are in the next most concentrated region of Wellington (1,175). Vector’s own data around EV charging sessions support those figures, and show there’s been a 190% rise in charging sessions in the 12 months to June (from 22,700 sessions to 66,000 sessions in this 12-month period).

As Auckland’s leading energy company and electricity distributor, Vector is leading the introduction of new and innovative EV solutions to New Zealand.

Vector recently announced trials, unique to New Zealand, of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and vehicle-to-home (V2H) charging technologies, which transform EVs into renewable and sustainable mobile power sources.

Vector will be showcasing two of its new V2H chargers at this year’s GLOW@Artweek Festival, where nine teams of second-year Unitec architecture students will design and prefabricate interactive light installations on Devonport’s Windsor Reserve that are powered by two Nissan Leaf G2 electric vehicles via V2H chargers. 

Vector’s New Technology Lead, Moonis Vegdani, says: “Vector is committed to providing innovative new opportunities and ways for people to have more choice, control, and affordability in how they use and manage energy.

“Two-way EV chargers are an example of the future of energy. They basically transform electric vehicles into mobile storage batteries, enabling energy to be charged or discharged anywhere there is a two-way charger. It’s perfect for a temporary light installation such as GLOW@Artweek.”

Unitec Architecture lecturer Ainsley O'Connell says, “Our partnership with Vector has added another dimension to the GLOW festival this year. Sustainability is a key factor in the design and construction of the students’ works and having access to an alternative, rechargeable power source in a large-scale outdoor venue is extremely exciting.”

This is the fourth year that Unitec students have taken part in the GLOW@Artweek festival which is staged by the Devonport Business Association in conjunction with Artweek Auckland. It was one of the most popular events at last year’s Artweek Auckland festival, attracting 10,000 visitors over two days.

GLOW@Artweek runs from Friday October 12 to Saturday October 13 in Windsor Reserve. Artweek Auckland runs from October 6-14.