Keeping the power on at SKYCITY Auckland

SKYCITY Auckland’s planned basement of their new International Convention Centre overlapped with their existing plantrooms which contained all the back-up generators. They needed to be replaced, and SKYCITY needed to always remain operational.

In SKYCITY Auckland’s basement, you’ll find everything that’s crucial to its safe and effective operation. Like the diesel generators for the main site, plus all the associated switchboards.

SKYCITY needed to free up this basement space so the build of their exciting New Zealand International Convention Centre could begin. That’s where we came in.

We designed, assisted with commissioning and integrated a completely new generator system (comprising extensive components - like transformers, fuel systems, switchboards and control systems) into the live SKYCITY site. This was challenging enough, but we also had to find space for all this new equipment within the existing site; ensure the new system operated seamlessly alongside the Vector supplies; and keep SKYCITY operational at all times in the event of an emergency.

By thoroughly investigating possible options for housing the new systems, we designed and converted existing spaces to create multiple new plant and switch rooms, including utilising previously unused air space above the VIP car park ramp. As such a critical part of SKYCITY’s infrastructure, extensive testing proved the correct operation of every component of the new system, before it went live.

After months of work, the new system kicked in – and SKYCITY remained operational during the process, with minimal disruption to their business.

Awards:

• ACENZ INNOVATE Awards 2017 - Silver Award, General Category