Vector Network News

Vector Network News

With the new trend of using mobile devices to access the internet, Vector has launched a mobile version of its site to improve the experience of viewing the site on a smaller screen.

9% of all traffic to vector.co.nz is currently via a mobile device and that number is expected to continue to grow; so the new mobile site is designed to provide users on these devices a better, more targeted experience.

The mobile version of the site is not designed to replace the primary site; it will have more concise content taking into account the reasons that users would have for visiting the site using their smart phones. With this in mind, the content at launch consisted of media releases, outage information, and contact information.

The site will be auto-detected by any mobile device for which the primary site would be impaired. iPads and other tablets which are capable of using the primary site will not be redirected.

To view the new mobile site, go to http://m.vector.co.nz

NETWORKS SUMMARY for Week Commencing 9 July 2012

ELECTRICITY

• This week has proven that outside temperature does not necessarily drive electricity demand. Monday 9 July was the coldest day of the week with a mean temperature of 7.5°C. Our morning peak was 1,571 MW (instantaneous), with the afternoon peak at 1,662 MW. However, on Wednesday 11 July our morning peak was higher at 1,594 MW with a lower mean temp of 8°C. The afternoon peak on Wednesday was 1,662 MW.

• It’s been a busy week on the network with six car v pole incidents in Remuera, Mt. Roskill, Whitford, Mangere, Mission Bay and Newmarket, most causing minor outages. Trees fell on a line running along Station Road, Papatoetoe causing a feeder fault, while there was a minor feeder fault in Kohimarama on Saturday14 July. There were six fires in Pt Chevalier, Greenlane, Orewa, Mt Wellington, Forrest Hill and Mangawhai requiring our faults crews to attend to isolate the switchboards at those properties. There was one incident of bird strike on lines situated in Torbay, unfortunately that bird perished. But there was a much happier story of the bird variety courtesy of our faults crew. Late Friday afternoon, a crew was called to an address to recover a naughty cockatiel. The bird apparently couldn't fly, but was caught on a wind gust and ended up on top of an HV pole. One of our gloved crew saved the day and the cockatiel. All in a day’s work for the fearless faults crews at Vector.

GAS TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION

• There were three gas incidents this week – one where a fibre provider in Whangarei cut one of our gas lines, another caused by a Chorus contractor striking our gas distribution network in close proximity to where Chorus had struck it the week before. The third was a suspected smell of gas in Helensville. Our crews attended, along with Fire Service and tested for gas presence; there was no evidence of gas. Please take care around our gas network and call 0508 B4 U WORK (248 967) or 0800 B4 U DIG if outside Auckland.

METERING

• AMS is using a fully end-to-end automated closure process for the Contact meter deployment, giving greater operational efficiencies to both Contact and AMS. Meter deployment continues at a steady pace.

FIBRE

• To provide students with an exceptional learning environment, Pakuranga College partnered with New Era IT to build a state-of-the-art communications network equipped with Vector’s EduNet. Now the school has unmetered access to educational resources, the internet, and other schools on EduNet, which has transformed the way they teach. Both students and teachers are thriving in this environment that allows them to develop advanced digital skills, all at a fixed cost. Read more here

PROJECTS UPDATE

• Waverley/Airedale Street Project: Vector is replacing electricity cables to reinforce the power supply in the Waverley and Airedale St area (CBD) and to ensure customers continue to receive a secure power supply. The project is expected to last four months.

We are replacing the existing 11kV cables with more powerful 22kV cables. The project involves digging trenches within the road, installing ducts and then laying the new cables within those ducts. We will also replace outdated electrical equipment before resurfacing the road as the final stage of the project.

By having on-site generators, we’re aiming to maintain power supply throughout the project. While Waverley St will not be available to through-traffic, we have plans in place to ensure building access will not be affected. Pedestrians will still be able to pass by the work sites and the safety of all road users and workers will be protected.

We will use steel sheets over trenches to ensure access is maintained at all times and, in the event that any access way or driveway is affected; we will contact residents and business owners before we begin work. (aerial photos available)

SHORTS

• Vector has launched an online calculator to help customers understand their electricity bills. You can enter the amount of your monthly bill and the calculator will illustrate the split of your bill into retailer charges, pass through costs and Vector's distribution charges. Check it out here

• Vector owns over 17,737 kilometres of overhead and underground lines in the greater Auckland area, and 12,572 kilometres of gas pipe lines, with almost half supplying gas to Auckland.

• Vector welcomes Kimbra to Auckland on Saturday 28 July. Vector, proud sponsor of the Arena.

ENDS

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