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    Distribution joint and termination installation training

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    Important reminder to authorised cable jointers

    As previously advised, the Standard for installing distribution joint and termination equipment has been updated and has become mandatory from 1 July 2018.

    Additionally, Essential Energy will limit the choice of distribution joint and termination items for installation on our network to those supplied by DT Jointing Solutions Pty Ltd, and require you to use the QR code process for any joint or termination installed.

    You may hold a cable jointing authorisation and to date if you have not completed the awareness training required to gain approval to install joints on our network safely, and in compliance with the updated standard, post 1 July 2018 you will be unable to continue to perform cable jointing on our network, until you complete awareness training.

    What do you need to do?

    1. Please register your interest in attending a training course by contacting our Training Team, via email to trainingservicesadmin@essentialenergy.com.au, as soon as possible and include your full name, location and authorisation number
    2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation
    Once minimum numbers are achieved course costs will be provided dependent on location.

    Further Information

    If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au


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    IPART Reviews of the NSW Energy Market

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    IMPORTANT: Commencement of IPART Reviews of the NSW Energy Market

    Below are two reviews that Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) have been asked to be undertaking by the NSW Minister of Energy:


    IPART has commenced its annual review of the performance and competitiveness of the retail electricity and gas markets in NSW for the most recent financial year.
    The report on 2017-18 period will be their fourth annual monitoring report on the retail electricity market and the first reviewing competition in the retail gas market since gas prices were deregulated on 1 July 2017.

    As part of this review, the NSW Minister for Energy and Utilities has also asked to report on:

    • electricity and gas price movements from July 2018, and whether any such changes reflect efficient costs in a competitive market, and
    • whether retailers are delivering acceptable levels of customer communication and service in their delivery of metering services

    As part of the annual review of the performance and competitiveness of the retail electricity and gas markets in NSW, IPART have been asked to review NSW electricity retailers’ metering practices, and report on whether retailers are delivering acceptable levels of customer service and communication.

    What do you need to do?

    1. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
    2. Participate in these reviews by click on the links and having your say on the above topics.

    Further Information

    If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au


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    Installation of Cable Covers (Tiger Tails)

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    What’s happening?

    There have been several instances recently where Level 2 ASPs, or in some cases unauthorised trade contractors, have fitted cable covers (tiger tails) to energised overhead service lines.

    As a result of further investigation, it has been identified that confusion exists as to who is authorised to undertake this task. The WorkCover Code of Practice (CoP): Work Near Overhead Power lines provides direction in relation to the implementation of control measures for unauthorised persons working near low voltage overhead service lines.

    Consideration should be given to Eliminating the hazard by deenergising the supply for the duration of the work, and where there is a danger of physical damage to the overhead service its temporary removal. Where this is not practicable, separating the hazard from the worksite may be achieved through the installation of insulating matting and tiger tails at the point of attachment.

    Essential Energy’s response

    Cable covers must only be fitted to energised service lines for the purposes of adherence to the CoP by electrically qualified Essential Energy authorised employees. ASPs and contractors are not authorised to carry out these tasks as this is not classified as Contestable Work, unless working on behalf of Essential Energy under the conditions of a contract can these be installed.

    A Level 2 ASP can however, de-energise and remove a service line for the duration of the proposed works, or fit cable covers on a deenergised service line for mechanical protection and visual indication so long as the covers are removed prior to the installation being reenergised.

    When de-energising a service line, the service connections at the Point of Common Coupling must always be disconnected and made safe. The service line should then be visually assessed to determine its condition. If it is not of sound condition or there are other factors preventing the service removal. The disconnected service is to remain in situ and covered with insulating matting and tiger tails for visual awareness and mechanical protection. Special attention should also be paid to protecting the consumer mains at the Point of Attachment.
    If the service line is deemed to be in sound condition, and providing it is firstly disconnected at the Point of Common Coupling, then disconnect the connections at the Point of Attachment, remove the service from the attachment, and carefully roll up.

    The completely disconnected service can then be secured where practicable to the non-trafficable side of the distribution pole or private pole at a minimum height of 4.6m. If this is not practicable or introduces other hazards, then the service should be removed and stored in a secure location ensuring no physical damage to the service is sustained.
    Before re-energising, precautions must be taken to ensure that the service and electrical installation are in a state suitable for energisation and that all required testing (e.g. insulation resistance, polarity, neutral integrity and phase rotation) has been satisfactorily completed.

    What do you need to do?

    1. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation
    2. Click on the below link for additional information on Essential Energy's website

    Further information

    If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au






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    Design & Certification Projected Timeframes

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    IMPORTANT: DELAYS IN ISSUING DESIGN INFORMATION PACKAGES & DESIGN CERTIFICATIONS

    A significantly higher than normal volume of requests – generally associated with an increase in high voltage and solar connection applications – is currently contributing to a delay in Essential Energy issuing Design Information Packages & Design Certifications.

    Design Information Packages

    Will be issued at minimum of 4 weeks from the date we receive a completed CEOF6010 - Contestable Work: Design Information Application.

    Design Certification

    Certification for design submission packages will be issued at minimum of 4 weeks from the date we receive a completed CEOF6011 - Contestable Work: Design Submission.

    LV Connection Offers

    Due to the changes which have occurred as a result from Power of Choice (PoC), the requirement for an approved LV Connection Offer will still be waived when submitting a CEOF6010 - Contestable Work: Design Information Application.

    What is Essential Energy doing to reduce the delay?

    We are processing requests as quickly as possible.

    The low voltage connection offer backlog has now been reduced to a suitable level and has remained steady for several months.

    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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    AER Price Increase 1 July 2018

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    IMPORTANT INFORMATION

    From 1 July 2014, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) introduced new regulatory charges for Ancillary Network Services and Metering Services. As an Accredited Service Provider (ASP), Authorised Person (AUP) or Electrical Contractor (EC), you would be aware of the current Ancillary Network Services and Metering Services charges applicable to services you provide to your customers.
    The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has approved the new regulatory charges for Essential Energy’s Ancillary Network Services and Metering Services to be implemented from 1 July 2018.

    You can read more about Essential Energy’s pricing for Ancillary Network Services and Metering Services on our website at: Essential Energy > Our Network > Network Pricing and Regulatory report > Network Pricing

    What do you need to do?
    • Review the 2018 ‘Approved’ Pricing Schedules for Ancillary Network Services and Metering Services available on the Essential Energy website
    • Accredited Service Providers, Authorised Persons and Electrical Contractors should consider pricing changes when preparing quotations for customers regarding future work
    • Ensure you communicate this information to your customers and employees
    For further information

    If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au

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    ASP Co-Design Workshop May 2018

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    I would like to take the opportunity to thank those ASPs for their participation and attending the workshops in May 2018.

    The methodology we used to deliver these workshops recognises that for us to get different results, we need to apply a different approach. While each workshop dealt with a specific issue or problem, both workshops shared objectives that focused not only on the problems we need to solve, but how we solve problems, for example:
    • Embedding a new, collaborative approach to problem solving, recognising that the best solution is one that considers and reconciles the needs of everyone in the process – particularly the end customer
    • Prioritising progress over perfection – incremental improvement
    • Strengthening our relationship by getting to know each other and putting faces to names
    We have collected a lot of useful insights and ideas from the workshops that will feed into our next phase of work. Located on Essential Energy’s Document Library the ASP Co Design Workshops Playback document provides an overview of the workshops and a summary of the outputs.

    To keep the document as concise as possible we have not played back every piece of feedback, however all feedback has been captured.

    What have we done since?

    Since the workshops we have ran internal sessions to take two ideas from the Co-Design workshops and progress them into a working prototype that can be tested and deployed.
    • Design Certification - Application Form
    • Improving the clarity and usability of the form
    • Assurance – Inspections Matrix
    • Creating a simple, clear and risk-based methodology for inspecting works
    These prototypes are in development with the intention to test and deploy these as soon as possible.

    Next Steps

    We are out for tender for a partner to help us manage the prioritisation plan of attack, this will slow the process for a short period however we are still working on things that have been identified.

    We have a long list of issues that we need to work through over the coming weeks, months and years, this will be a significant change program for the Commercial Services Branch. In addition to short term “Quick Win” changes, we are focused on developing a detailed work plan and procuring support to help us deliver this next phase effectively.

    I will keep you informed on progress and opportunities to be involved as we firm up the plan, this will take some time. In the meantime, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

    Regards
    David Wilson
    Network ASP Manager
    T: 02 6589 8190
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    Marchment Hill (MHC) ASP Survey Results

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    I’d like to share with you all the results of the ASP Survey Essential Energy conducted a few weeks ago – located on the Essential Energy's Document Library.

    Thank you to all those who contributed their time to share your feedback and ideas.

    This survey (and other diagnostic analysis performed by Marchment Hill) has further highlighted the many areas for improvement in how we work together with you, our ASP partners. We recognise that we have lots to do to say Essential Energy is “easy to do business with” – we will be taking action.

    We are now developing these actions. Some of these will involve sessions with our ASP partners so you can help us design our future way of working. I look forward to sharing more information about these
    sessions with you in the coming weeks. If you would like to speak to me about this report, our next steps or any other matters please contact me via email or phone listed below.

    Regards

    David Wilson
    Network ASP Manager
    T: 02 6589 8190
    E: david.wilson@essentialenergy.com.au


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    Introduction from David Wilson

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    I’m writing to introduce myself as Essential Energy’s newly appointed Network ASP Manager.

    Having spent most of my career working for other distribution businesses, it’s immediately clear that there is a lot we can do to improve how Essential Energy works with Accredited Service Providers (ASP). I’ve made it my first priority to understand where we can improve and I will be working closely with the executive team to make sure we service our ASP community better.

    Essential Energy’s corporate values say that we should be ‘Easy to do business with’. I aim to make sure we deliver on this promise and will make it my priority, as a first step, to ensure better communications and feedback channels so that we can identify and rapidly respond to issues and challenges together.

    Thank you for your continued patience and support as we work through this process. For those who have been in touch already to highlight how and where we can improve our service to ASPs, please use me as your central point of contact for all ASP related matters.

    In the coming weeks and months, I’ll be out and about in the regions to meet as many ASPs as possible and listen directly to your feedback. So, thanks again for your patience and assistance and I look forward to meeting soon.

    Regards

    David Wilson
    Network ASP Manager
    T: 02 6589 8190
    E: david.wilson@essentialenergy.com.au

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    Distribution Joint and Termination Installation | Compulsory Awareness Training

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    Choices for approved distribution joint and termination equipment are changing to Elcon Megarad and Cooper Power System products to be distributed by DT Jointing Solutions.

    The New Standard will apply from 1 March 2018 with full ASP compliance required by 1 July 2018. Compulsory awareness training for cable jointers will be provided free of charge by Essential Energy at central locations across NSW between 8 February 2018 and 2 March 2018.

    What’s changing

    As part of Essential Energy’s continuous improvement program for asset management, aimed at ensuring long-term reliability and cost efficiencies for customers, we are making changes to the choice of distribution joint and termination equipment installed on our network.

    From 1 March 2018, a new Standard will apply which means only Elcon Megarad and Cooper Power Systems products for 95-240mm XLPE cables distributed by DT Jointing Solutions Pty Ltd will be compliant on the Essential Energy distribution network.

    Full compliance with the new Standard will then be mandatory from 1 July 2018. This means that any distribution joint and/or termination equipment installed on Essential Energy’s network (or on an asset that is gifted to Essential Energy) must be compliant with the new Standard and be fitted by a cable jointer who has attended awareness training.

    We appreciate ASPs cooperation in delivering this important change for customers. If awareness training has not been completed, Essential Energy will deem the installation as a defect and the works cannot be commissioned.

    Free compulsory training sessions

    The following training sessions will be available at no cost to you. Alternative sessions can be arranged at 5/13 Gibbons Road, West Gosford. These alternative sessions will be at your own expense (approximately $490 per person, depending on timing and attendee numbers).

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    Training Sessions

    What’s included in the training

    The awareness training will provide information about the following equipment:

    • 95-240mm XLPE Straight Joint;
    • 95-240mm XLPE Outdoor Termination;
    • Tee Connector;
    • A new heat shrink LV Joint and Termination; and
    • New Quick Response (QR) Code systems.

    (Please note, these sessions will not provide general training for new cable jointers.)

    What you need to bring to your session

    Please wear appropriate personal protective clothing. Lunch will be provided as there will be no time to leave the site during the training.

    Operating manuals

    The change will be reflected in the following operating manuals (available at www.essentialenergy.com.au):

    • CEOM7004 - Material Inventory: Contestability (Approved)
    • CEOM7204.16 - Shorting and Capping of Underground Cables
    • CEOM7204.64 - 11/22kV Termination Components
    • CEOM7204.66 - HV XLPE-HDPE 3 Core Straight Joints
    • CEOM7204.68 - 11-33kV Outdoor XLPE Terminations
    • CEOM7204.70 - 11/22kV Bushing Components

    All previously approved components (including those currently in use) will be removed from these manuals from 1 March 2018.

    Bookings and further information

    For session bookings and further information please contact:

    David Taylor
    DT Jointing Solutions Pty Ltd
    18 Zakwell Court, Coolaroo VIC 3048
    T: 0401 487 979
    E: eeasp@dtjointingsolutions.com.au

    Or

    Daniel Kelly
    Essential Energy
    T: 02 6589 8623
    E: daniel.kelly@essentialenergy.com.au


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    Testing & Commissioning Q&As

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    Network Asset Testing & Commissioning – Q&A

    What’s happening?

    Enforcement of the CEOP5125 Network Asset and Testing Commissioning procedure commenced on 1 December 2017.

    To assist with the adoption of the procedure a series of Questions & Answers have been developed. The first series of Q&As are being released today, with further releases to occur as questions are received.

    What do you need to do?

    1. Familiarise yourself with the Q&As which are located on the Document Library and can be accessed via the Essential energy website
    2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation

    Updated Network Asset Testing & Commissioning form – CEOF5125.08 Low Voltage Feeder

    What’s happening?

    The Network Asset Testing & Commissioning CEOF5125.08 Low Voltage Feeder form has been updated as a result of feedback received.

    What do you need to do?

    1. Commence using the updated form CEOF5125.08 Low Voltage Feeder which are located on the Document Library and can be accessed via the Essential energy website
    2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation

    Further information

    For further enquires please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au