What is Happening?

Essential Energy’s Biannual ASP engagement forum will be held on 1 May 2024 via Zoom. In this round, we’ll be covering a range of topics including:

• Safety
• Overhead Standards Essential Connections Portal, including the Construction rollout
• Details of surveyor’s advice, asset location survey plan
• Network Assurance update, including Level 1 ASP aged defects and Level 2 ASP process assessments
• Contestable Network Solutions, contestable projects which include working with neighbours and the planning report
• Ancillary Network Service fees
• Dedicated question time.

We encourage you to participate in this forum. You’ll have the opportunity to discuss our plans and initiatives, and to ask questions or raise issues with Essential Energy team members.

Registration

The forum will be held on Wednesday 1 May 2024 from 10.00am to 12.00 noon – please click here to register.

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.

What is Happening?

While availability of NGK Stanger Pty Ltd gas switches has improved in the last few months, lead time for purchasing directly from NGK Stanger is currently a minimum of 8 weeks. Please factor this into your project plans.

If you need switches sooner for any critical jobs, you can purchase them through Essential Energy’s external sales team by emailing external.sales@essentialenergy.com.au.

What do you need to do?

1. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
2. View this communication via Essential Engagement.

Further Information

If you require further details, please contact NGK Stanger Pty Ltd customer service team via email at sales@ngkstanger.com.au or Essential Energy’s external sales team via email at external.sales@essentialenergy.com.au.

What is happening?

Use of the QR2id system is mandatory for installing cable joints and terminations on Essential Energy’s network. If the QR code process on these assets is not fully or accurately completed, we will deem the asset non-compliant and may require its replacement at the installer’s expense.

To help improve completeness and accuracy of your submissions to the QR2id system, please ensure that the following information is included:

• accurate jointer and company details
• photographic evidence:
  • Preparation - cable preparation only, showing semi conductive material removal
  • Installed - Installed stress control void filling mastic and stress control application
  • Insitu - Completed Joint or Termination in final position complete with QR2id tag
  • Installed – Take steps away from the installation to pick up near-by landmark that may assist with future location
• accurate GPS location. Moving the blue icon can improve Latitude and Longitude details.

It’s important to remember that sharing your login details is strictly prohibited. If you are sharing a device to submit installation data, make sure you log yourself in and out appropriately. The installer on record is accountable for all submissions completed with their login and will be assumed responsible in the event of a jointer error resulting in asset failure.

Critical information checklist

Below is the information that should be collected in the submissions to the database -

• Packing ID Code (scan if applicable)
• Joint/Termination Identifier (Scan QR2id Tag and attach)
• Installation Category Essential Energy Part Number
• Manufacturer (pre-populated if package ID is scanned)
• Product Description (pre-populated if package ID is scanned)
• System Voltage Sets Cable Voltage
• Cable Voltage (Insulation rating), Selecting LV enables a wider range of Cores numbers.
• Other cable details (including - supplier and drum number).

Selecting confirm will immediately uploaded the submission and email confirmation will be sent to the Jointer. This should be completed immediately on completion by the jointer.

Need more help?

The QR2id APP is free of charge and has no service fee. It is compatible with any smart device and is supported by modern web-browsers. You will need to provide permission for the QR2id APP to connect to your GPS location and camera to submit the mandatory information to the database.

Only the kits supplied by DT Jointing Solutions have the QR2id codes on the box and tag/s in the kit, allowing pre-population of kit information. Other approved kits not supplied by DT Jointing Solutions will require manual information and photo entry and QR2id tag installation. Essential Energy’s CAT number as per the CEOM drawings is 851595.

Support is available directly to QR2id via telephone support line: (07) 3378 4677 or general enquiries: (07) 3380 4600, or you can email support@QR2iD.com.

Please see below previous communications in relation to this.

• Updates to UG Cable Accessory Program – QR2id data Collection
• The Importance of Cable Preparation.

What do you need to do?

1. Review the above information.
2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

If you need further information, please email support@QR2iD.com.

What is Happening?

Two new competency units have been introduced for Level 1 ASPs working on live low voltage apparatus, from 1 July 2024 authorised persons must hold relevant units of competency to work live on Essential Energy’s low voltage network.

Unit of competency details:

UETDRMP012 – Working on energised low voltage overhead electrical apparatus.

UETDRMP013 – Working on energised low voltage underground electrical apparatus.

When a notification to work live is submitted by the ASP the nominated persons must hold the relevant unit to be allowed access to the network. The Safety Observer / Competent Assistant must hold the same qualification and unit of competency appropriate for the work being performed.

Upon completion of the training, please email the Statement of Attainments to authorisations@essentialenergy.com.au. This will be updated on the individual’s authorisation and appear on their digital ID.

What do you need to do?

1. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
2. View this communication via Essential Engagement.

Further Information

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

What is Happening?

Due to supply constraints with 22kV surge arresters, approved alternate surge arresters will be used on Tyree’s 22kV distribution transformers. While most ASPs follow the supplier’s recommended process and only install surge arresters on transformers on site, some ASPs install them in their warehouse which increases the risk of damage during transport.

This risk is higher due to the higher length of the alternate surge arresters used as an interim option on 22kV transformers till the surge arrester supply stabilises in a few months.

Every transformer pallet Tyree will supply with the alternate surge arresters will include the below note.

What do you need to do?

Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

If you require further details, please contact TYREE’s customer service team.

What is Happening?

Following identification of a potential safety issue, Essential Energy will no longer accept Type 3 pillars installed at the end of a staged LV circuit without both cables terminated.

Our pillars are internally designed to meet IP2X with the lid removed, primarily to protect our own internal employees and ASPs from inadvertent contact with live points while working within the pillar.

Without a second circuit into a Type 3 pillar, the IP rating is lowered and accidental contact between metallic tools or earthed conductors and exposed live points could occur when performing service installations or other maintenance work.

What do you need to do?

To ensure network safety, any designs you submit after today must include the correct pillar type and you must install a Type 6 pillar at the end of cable routes, even if a future stage is planned to be connected at the pillar location.

If a future stage of an underground subdivision requires the pillar to be changed from a Type 6 to a Type 3, design for the next stage will need to specify item 4 (CEOM7202.05 Catalogue no. 400612). When the additional cable is installed, the distribution block within the pillar can be changed from a 3x3 to a 6x3 arrangement.

What do you need to do?

1. Review and comply with this requirement.
2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

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

Background

Construction – the final phase of the contestable works process - will be progressively transitioned to the new Essential Connections Platform from February 2024.

Level 1 Accredited Service Providers (ASPs) and Essential Energy personnel involved in the process will be on-boarded and familiarised with the new portal facilitating real time projects. This approach is designed to create efficiency for the Level 1 ASPs and provide contextualised, hands-on guidance and support while minimising impacts to project timelines and Level 1 ASPs resources.

How will this work?

As we transition to the new system, Level 1 ASPs will continue to submit a CEOF6012 - Notice to Commence Construction (NTCC) via the contestable works inbox. We will review each NTCC and, based on timelines for the construction and connection of the works, determine whether to progress the project through the new Essential Connections platform.

A member of the ASP Relations team will contact you within 48 hours of receiving the NTCC to commence the ‘guided’ project process. We will provide step by step guidance and support throughout the facilitation of your projects. We will provide access to comprehensive support material and user guides to allow you to rapidly adapt to the new portal.

You’ll need a mobile device to administer your projects in the Essential Connections portal. The platform is compatible with all device types and offers on and off-line capability for field-based users.

We will continue to provide direct support and guidance with multiple projects over the course of 2024. As you become increasingly familiar and confident in the new platform, you will be encouraged to facilitate all new construction projects directly into the Essential Connections platform.

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.

What’s Happening?

As you know, we’ve made changes to Asset Testing and Commissioning which impact Level 1 ASPs who complete asset testing as part of customer connections.

These changes include:

• Updated Testing and Commissioning Manuals (CEOP5125 / CEOM5125D).
• Newly developed assistance guides such as user guides and videos.
• Digital test forms for field completion (integrating into Essential Energy Connections Portal).
• Refresher training package available for qualified ASP staff.

For those who were unable to attend our recent online information sessions, video recordings are now available for you to watch at your own convenience. Click here to watch.

Re-issued CEOF5125 Forms

New versions of the CEOF5125 Forms have been re-issued in the Document Library. These forms follow the steps detailed in the revised CEOM5125D Manual.

Excel versions are also available which include pass / fail and calculation functionality.

It is expected that ASP’s will commence using the re-issued CEOF5125’s for new projects from 1 January 2024. Existing projects can continue to use the previous version until completion of that project.

Asset Testing and Commissioning Refresher Training

An online refresher training course is available for Level 1 ASPs, which provides further information and guidance for distribution asset testing.

We recommend that key ASP personnel who perform asset testing and fill in CEOF1525s should complete this course, as the information is practical and aimed at improving understanding and consistency.

We encourage you to enrol in the course to align with your Authorisation (e.g. UG or OH / UG & OH).

See enrolment guide: Assest Testing & Commissioning Refresher ASP Training Enrolment Guide.

What do you need to do?

1. Click the Communication Session link above to watch detailed information session recordings.
2. Access the re-issued CEOF5125’s and incorporate for new projects from January 2024. Available on the Document Library.
3. Register your qualified personnel for Asset Testing & Commissioning refresher training.
4. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further information

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

What is happening?

As an interim solution to a current supply shortage of 22kV surge arrestors, Essential Energy has approved an alternative arrestor that has the same system voltage, but a slightly higher rating and length.

Due to its longer in length, there is potential to confuse this alternative arrestor with a 33kV arrestor. To clearly identify the alternative 22kV arrestor, we’re attaching a black and yellow label to it.

Availability of standard 22kV arrestors should return to normal around mid-2024.

What do you need to do?

1. Please ensure you use the correct system voltage arrestors when working on Essential Energy’s network.
2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

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

What is Happening?

We’ve uploaded a copy of our November 2023 ASP Zoom Forums slide presentation to Essential Engagement for those of you who weren’t able to attend.

To access the presentation, click here to view now, or go to Essential Engagement and click on the Forum heading on the right-hand side.

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.