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BetterConnect - Design
What's Happening?Over the last twelve months Essential Energy has engaged with ASPs extensively to understand the many pain points you have in dealing with our connections process.We are happy to advise that we have recently received approval to implement a pilot product called Salesforce to automate the core Contestable Design Processes. The success of this pilot will assist us in formalisation and implementation of a final solution.The project will automate the following processes:Request:- Design Information
- Asset labels
- Notice of Arrangement Only
Submit:- Design Certification package
- Easement Documents
- Enquiry
This automation will deliver a more efficient process with faster turnaround times, seamless collaboration with Essential Energy Design and Certification staff, and greater transparency of job status.This project is the first stage of a larger program of continuous improvement work planned by Essential Energy, with future stages to incorporate more of the Contestable Design processes, as well as construction, commissioning and inspection processes.Implementation ApproachWe have engaged an external provider with significant experience in developing process automation. They previously implemented this same product for the automation of the connections process at PowerCor/CitiPower.We have also formed a Level 3 ASP Reference Group to work with us through the development stage of the project to ensure what is delivered is fit for purpose for both ASPs and Essential Energy.CommunicationsWe will communicate progress on the project to all ASPs on a regular basis. Once the system becomes available, we will look at running zoom sessions to demonstrate the system. This will be offered to all interested Level 3 ASPs.More information about the BetterConnect project will be included in the October 2019 ASP Forums - see Essential Engagement for more details on forum locations and timing.Training and EducationWe are in the process of developing our Training and Education program and will be working with the ASP Reference group to understand the best way to deploy training and education to all Level 3 ASPs.We will provide more details on this as we get closer to releasing the system to all ASPs.QuestionsQuestions can be directed to: aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au
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Essential Energy customer satisfaction research
As part of Essential Energy’s commitment to continuous improvement, we are seeking feedback from our customers and business partners about how easy we are to do business with.To facilitate this, we have appointed an independent research organisation, Woolcott Research & Engagement.Over the next few weeks, Woolcott may contact you to participate in a survey that will assess your satisfaction with our service delivery and operational performance. Your input is needed to help Essential Energy optimise customer outcomes and ensure our operations are aligned to your needs.Essential Energy encourages you to participate and we look forward to receiving your feedback. -
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Safety Brief 878 - Essential Energy Aware Tape
What is Happening?Essential Energy have now adopted the use of plastic tape, called ‘Essential Energy Aware’ tape – which identifies that a site has been visited by one of our workers and that the asset/s have been ‘made safe’.This increases visibility for members of the public and to enable Essential Energy to highlight sites which have been assessed and made safe – prior to permanent repairs being carried out at the time, but instead will need to be re-visited at a later stage for the permanent repairs to take place.Safety Brief 878 – Essential Energy Aware Tape is being shared for your information and can be accessed from Essential Energy’s Document Library or Essential Engagement.Further InformationIf you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au
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Reminder Essential Energy ASP Forums October 2019
What is Happening?As part of our commitment to improve our relationship and communications with ASPs, Essential Energyare holding the next round of forums. The purpose of these forums is for an ASP to come along and hearabout the latest news in the ASP space and to ask questions or raise issues with representatives fromvarious Essential Energy teams.Dates and locations of ASP forums:- Lismore Monday 14th October - Lismore Workers Club
- Port Macquarie Tuesday 15th October - The Westport Club
- Bathurst Tuesday 22nd October - Panthers Bathurst
- Dubbo Wednesday 23rd October - West Dubbo Bowling Club (Club Dubbo)
- Albury Tuesday 29th October - Commercial Club Albury
- Wagga Wagga Wednesday 30th October - Rules Club Wagga Wagga
Forums will commence from 5pm at the above locations, with light refreshments available. To determinevenue sizes we would appreciate any ASPs who wish to attend complete a survey or emailaspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au with company name, ASP level, numbers attending, which forum you will be attending and anything you would like to see at our forums.Thank you to those that have already expressed interest in attending our forums, please be advise that if you are attending one or more of our forums we require notification, this will enable us to establish the validity of this forum. At this stage some of the locations have small numbers and may be cancelled.
Brief Agenda Items:- Standards News
- Safety Presentation/Learnings from Incidents
- CCEW & NOSW Process Changes
- Designer Platform Integration
- Better Connect System Upgrade Project Update
- Design & Certification Process Updates
- Training News
What do you need to do?- Please complete the survey at engage.essentialenergy.com.au/ASP by first Signing In then clicking on your relevant ASP level, then go into Surveys & Forms
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
Further InformationIf you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au
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Conditions of entering into an Electrical Station
What is Happening?Currently only Essential Energy employees are authorised for Entry or instruct into an Electrical Station.To enter an electrical station a person must be authorised for entry or accompanied by a person who is authorised for supervision for the type of electrical station or under access permit conditions.Work performed under a pad mount sub in a foundation, basement or culvert is classified as entry into an electrical station.There are two conditions an Authorised Service Provider (ASP) can enter (work under) an electrical station connected to Essential Energy’s network/system:- under instruction by an Essential Energy person authorised under supervision for the type of electrical station or
- under Access permit conditions (a form of authorisation)
CEOP8030 Electrical Safety Rules Extracts:Access Permit: a form of authorisation which allows access to work on or near, or to test electrical apparatus.Electrical Station: any enclosed substation or switching station whether of the indoor, outdoor or underground type.Section 9 - Work in Electrical Stations9.1 Qualifications and TrainingA person must not enter an electrical station unless they are:- Authorised in accordance with procedure CEOP2065 – Authorisation, or
- Are accompanied by a person who is authorised for supervision for the type of electrical station and have received clear instructions pertaining to the site including the specific sections they can enter, existing dangers and the precautions that must be observed.
What do you need to do?- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
Further InformationIf you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au
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Maclean Power items on Approved Materials List
Background
In late April 2019, Maclean Power decided to close all local supply operations to Essential Energy. Its representatives advised that they were willing to accept orders for 200+ items Essential Energy had on contracts/supply arrangements up until 17 May 2019 (effectively providing three weeks’ notice), after which no Accredited Service Provider or Essential Energy could order those items from Maclean Power. To fulfil delivery of goods ordered by 17 May 2019, Maclean Power would remain open until 30 August 2019, but it would cease to be an entity and no deliveries would be made after that date.
Maclean Power representatives also initially advised, and subsequently confirmed, that these items could not be sourced from a local dealer.
Since Essential Energy and Accredited Service Providers were unable to place orders with Maclean Power from 17 May 2019, it was removed from our Approved Materials List (AML) on 8 August 2019.
Change of Position
On 31 August 2019, Maclean Power sent Essential Energy a letter stating that it had partnered with The Energy Network (TEN) to continue to supply the items it had previously provided into Australia.
TEN approached us, asking for all Maclean Power items to be reinstated to the AML.
Next Step
Given the unforeseen circumstances above, Essential Energy will formally reinstate the majority of Maclean Power items in the next version (Version 48) of the AML. In the interim, Accredited Service Providers can proceed subject to the below, on the basis that Maclean Power products are approved products for use on Essential Energy’s network.
It is important to note, however, that the 20 items listed below will not be approved for future use on Essential Energy’s network. Accredited Service Providers are granted a 12-month grace period from 11 September 2019 to exhaust stocks of these 20 items:
Cat. No.
Description
Maclean Power Part Number
107900
Hook Tongue 70kN Forged Steel Latched
THL-70X
111228
Twisted Eye Tongue 70kN Steel
TET-70X
111230
Eye Tongue Twisted 120kN Steel
TET-120X
111240
Tongue Clevis 70kN Forged Steel
CT-70X
111530
Thimble Socket 70kN
SOCT-70
111560
Thimble Clevis 70kN Al
CTHA-2600
111590
Thimble Clevis 70kN Cast Iron
CTHI-1850X
111593
Thimble Stay 160kN 75mm Diam
SW-75-22
111594
Thimble Stay 200kN 150mm Diam
SW150MCI-32
266200
Clamp Susp 10-25mm Angle Al
AASC-100250
266208
Clamp Susp 6-16mm Angle Al
AASC-060160
266212
Clamp Susp 6-15.9mm Offset
DSCO-0616
266216
Clamp 7/3.00 Suspension Al
ASC-070210-N
266220
Clamp 19/3.75 Suspension Al
ASC-120280-N
266224
Clamp Susp 21-27mm Trunnion Al
TSC-1327-N
271620
Ball Eye Link 70kN Forged Steel
BEL-70X
272430
Shackle D Stirrup Assembly 70kN
D SHACKLE-70X
603450
Shackle Bow 70kN Forged Steel Clevis Pin
AS-70-RX
603453
Shackle Bow 120kN Forged Steel Clevis Pin
AS-120-RX
603780
Thimble 20mm Open Galv
OGT-22F
Accredited Service Providers are advised that the above Maclean Power products must not be installed on Essential Energy’s network after 11 September 2020. Where stocks of these materials manufactured by Maclean Power are held it may be pertinent to use them prior to other manufacturers stock prior to the end of the grace period.
This information will also be communicated during Essential Energy’s ASP forums scheduled in October 2019.
What do you need to do?
Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
Further Information
If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au
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Relocation of third party attachments
Essential Energy has existing joint use arrangements and operates Facilities Access Agreements (FAA’s) within the network that allows third-party attachments to be installed on Essential Energy assets, e.g. telecommunication cables on poles.Where third-party attachments are impacted as part of the project scope, e.g. to conduct pole relocation or replacement, the Level 3 ASP is responsible for identifying and verifying the third-party attachments and to communicate with the attachment owner as part of the design process. Any impacted third-party attachments are to be identified on the construction plan.The Level 1 ASP cannot complete the relocation works of a third-party attachment (unless otherwise agreed with the attachment owner) and must organise the third-party attachment owner to attend site to complete the relocation of their attachment. The attachment owner may charge a fee to conduct the relocation works.To facilitate this process, CEOF6586 - Advice of Pole Maintenance Form is to be completed by the Level 1 ASP and sent to the attachment owner as part of the notification for construction. To avoid doubt of the communication cable owner, both Telstra and NBN should be notified, and the confirmed cable owner will respond by returning the form to the Level 1 ASP. The Level 1 ASP is to use the contact details provided on the form to coordinate the construction works.This information has now been added to Design Information packs and CEOF6586 - Advice of Pole Maintenance Form is now available on Essential Energy Document Library.What do you need to do?- Review the above information and refer to CEOF6586 - Advice of Pole Maintenance located on Essential Energy’s Document Library
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation
- View this communication via Essential Engagement at engage.essentialenergy.com.au/ASP
Further InformationIf you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au
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Essential Energy ASP Forums October 2019
What is Happening?As part of our commitment to improve our relationship and communications with ASPs, Essential Energyare holding the next round of forums. The purpose of these forums is for an ASP to come along and hearabout the latest news in the ASP space and to ask questions or raise issues with representatives fromvarious Essential Energy teams.Dates and locations of ASP forums:- Lismore Monday 14th October - Lismore Workers Club
- Port Macquarie Tuesday 15th October - The Westport Club
- Bathurst Tuesday 22nd October - Panthers Bathurst
- Dubbo Wednesday 23rd October - West Dubbo Bowling Club (Club Dubbo)
- Albury Tuesday 29th October - Commercial Club Albury
- Wagga Wagga Wednesday 30th October - Rules Club Wagga Wagga
Forums will commence from 5pm at the above locations, with light refreshments available. To determinevenue sizes we would appreciate any ASPs who wish to attend complete a survey or emailaspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au with company name, ASP level, numbers attending, which forum you will be attending and anything you would like to see at our forums.What do you need to do?- Please complete the survey at engage.essentialenergy.com.au/ASP click on your relevant ASP level, then go into Surveys & Forms
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
Further InformationIf you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au
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Outrigger pad selection
BackgroundA recent review of the dunnage supplied with our plant has resulted in additional dunnage available to meet the crane code of practice for work completed in our typical operating environment. Key risks identify:- Failure to maintain stability is one of the key factors associated with serious crane incidents
- The use of outriggers on crane borers helps provide greater stability to the crane when lifting loads
- Irrespective of ground conditions, timbers or other means of distributing the load must always be placed under the outriggers.
What do you need to do?All operators of a crane borer and the holder of a C2 or higher HRWL, should know, understand and complete the requirements for calculating the weight being borne by the outriggers and the minimum area required to safely distribute it.The ground conditions, mass of the crane and the mass of the load must be considered. This will help determine if you need to carry extra dunnage.The attached matrix minimum area under outrigger M2 – Crane Borer can be used as quick reference guide showing different loads, ground conditions and the required dunnage.The equation below, taken from the Mobile Crane Code of Practice 2006 (QLD), is used to calculate the minimum area required to safely distribute the load.0.65 x (total crane mass + lifted load)----------------------------------------------------maximum permissible ground pressureWhat dunnage should I use?Essential Energy use four types of dunnage:- Composite pads (550x550, 22mm thick,13.5kg) – suitable for crane borers and large EWPs on solid ground. These are also used between the outrigger foot and any cribbed dunnage to evenly disperse the load.
- Composite pads (550x550, 16mm thick, 9.8kg) – suitable for smaller EWPs on solid ground. These are also used between the outrigger foot and any cribbed dunnage to evenly disperse the load.
- Composite pads (1,025x395, 50mm thick, 19kg) – used in pairs these can be placed under the plastic pads to increase the surface area in softer ground conditions.
- Hardwood timber (1,200x200, 75mm thick, 23kg) – more versatile than composite pads but slightly heavier. Can be cribbed to form a large foot for poor ground conditions.
Stability is critical to the safe operation of an EWP and similar to cranes outrigger ground pressure must be considered.The attached matrix minimum area under outrigger M2 – Elevated Work Platform can be used as a quick reference guide showing different vehicle operating weights, ground conditions and then required dunnage for EWPs.
Essential Energy would like to share this information and advise that we are using the Mobile Crane Code of Practice 2006 (QLD) for work completed in our typical operating environment.
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Important Reminder to all Level 3 Designers
Design Information Package (DIP)Essential Energy have been made aware on several occasions where designs have been completed by Level 3 Accredited Service Providers (ASPs) as a desktop only design and no site inspection has been undertaken. Level 3 ASPs are reminded that as per CEOP2015 General Terms and Conditions for Contestable Work –Section 5.5.2 Design Information Package:Design information is provided in good faith from Essential Energy records and the informationprovided by the applicant. Essential Energy does not warrant or accept liability for inaccuracies orincomplete information. The applicant must inform Essential Energy of any conflict with theinformation supplied as soon as it becomes evident during design or construction of the project.Level 3 ASPs are to ensure site inspections are undertaken and all information and documentation is correct prior to the submission of the design and subsequent construction by the Level 1 ASP. Completion of the Environmental Impact Assessment REF Worksheet (CEOF1070.02) for any project requires a declaration on page 18 to be completed acknowledging that, the person completing the document has visited the site prior to the commencement of the proposed works.Updates to DIP General Information sectionThe Design Information Package template is currently being updated to provide information regarding third party attachments and additional advice for lots within a subdivision which may be further subdivided. Once these changes are finalised, they will be implemented into the general information section of all DIPs.Civil work for substation sitesPadmount substation sites are a critical component of URD projects and site selection is a very important component of producing a compliant design. Padmount sites which will be impacted by civil works requirements need to be identified in the early stages of a project to ensure this does impact the delivery of the construction phase.Retaining walls which are required to support a cut or fill situation for a padmount substation need to be designed and certified by a civil engineer and this certification needs to be presented and endorsed by Essential Energy prior to the design submission. Retaining walls should not be constructed within the boundaries of the padmount substation easement.There have been a number of recent projects where retaining walls where required at the substation site and the required information has only presented after the original design submission. Identification of retaining walls on a construction plan needs to be detailed where they will have a direct impact on the electricity assets.Vegetation removal and identificationRecent projects examples have highlighted the importance of the identification of existing vegetation on construction plans. Construction of padmount substation sites under trees or deviating from the correct cable alignment are the direct result of construction plans not reflecting the current site conditions.It is the Level 3 ASPs responsibility to ensure that the construction plan depicts the actual site conditions and what will also be constructed. Not identifying vegetation on plans which incur construction defects will require input from the Level 3 ASP which can have significant cost impacts to the project.Vegetation removal requires the development of a vegetation management plan in many cases and this should be presented along with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and part of the design submission.Design Information Applications (DIA)The accuracy and completeness of the Design Information Application (CEOF6010) Is important in ensuring that the Design Information Package can be developed and issued as efficiently as possible. In order to further streamline and eliminate delays the admin team have been filtering applications to ensure they are submitted fully completed and with the necessary attachments. The requirements were communicated across the latest ASP forums and the presentation from those forums can be accessed via this link: engage.essentialenergy.com.au/ASP.The accuracy and completeness of DIA submissions will be very important as we continue to improve processing efficiency and remove delays.Provision for large corner lots in a URDWhen preparing conceptual designs for subdivisions which contain large corner lots, there should be consideration given to the potential to further subdivide. If the intent to further subdivide larger lots is known at the development stage of the electricity requirements, it is acceptable to produce a design which allows for the infrastructure to be installed at either corner of the lots to facilitate a two-lot subdivision.To ensure new lots will be suitably serviced and future requirements met, as a minimum a single service point will be installed on larger corner lots with a provisional conduit installed to allow an additional connection point to be installed on the other lot boundary without the requirements for further trenching and excavation works.Enhancement LettersNotification to existing lot owners is extremely important to avoid unwanted delays to a project when it enters construction phase. This is a reminder that part of the process to notify land owners requires a site meeting, to provide effected people an opportunity to be consulted and subsequent to this an enhancement letter would generally be sent out. Enhancement letters should not refer to completion of the project on behalf of or for Essential Energy as a contractor. Letters should identify the scope of the works and the responsible Level 3 ASP with the addition of the Level 1 ASP details if available.