Level 1 ASPs

What is Happening?

One of our employees who recently attended a venue in Byron Bay last night tested positive for COVID-19. The employee had checked into the venue, isn’t displaying any COVID-19 symptoms and has followed our COVID-19 protocols and all directions from NSW Health.

We are in close communication with the employee to provide support and employees identified as close contacts have been informed and are currently isolating.

Given these events Essential Energy is making some immediate changes to our operations today. This includes:

• Closure of the Ewingsdale (Byron Bay), Ballina and Lismore depots for additional cleaning of premises and vehicles. No employees, contractors or ASPs are to enter these three depots, under any circumstance, until further notice
• Any redundant materials must be stored correctly and can be returned to an appropriate & open depot
• All planned outages in Ballina, Ewingsdale and Lismore have been postponed for the rest of this week
• Prohibition of movement between Essential Energy locations for the two weeks until 14 April.

Visitors to any Essential Energy site must check in using a QR code and we are using this detail to contact all people who have visited the Ballina, Ewingsdale and Lismore depots since the weekend. We are also working with NSW Health to ensure they have any further information they need.

The safety of our people and the community is our highest priority, and we believe the steps we have taken are necessary to minimise the impact and spread of COVID-19. These steps are designed to ensure we can continue to operate the network safely and ensure staff are available to respond to fault and emergency situations.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely, including NSW Health and government advice. Further information will be provided as required. If you have any questions please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au

In the next few days, you may receive an invitation to participate in a survey from WoolCott Research and Engagement, on behalf of Essential Energy.

The aim of this survey is to seek feedback from our customers and partners on a number of proposed improvements we are considering as part of our program of continuous improvement, which includes projects such as the BetterConnect program and Customer Journey Mapping.

We encourage you to participate, and look forward to receiving your feedback.

Further Information

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

A recent influx of Design Information Applications (DIA) has resulted in a backlog and associated processing delays.

We are putting plans in place to process your requests as soon as possible.

To help ensure your DIA is processed with minimal delay, please make sure you include all relevant details and attach documents applicable to the type of project:

• Electrical Concept plan
• Full details of your project in the ‘description of works’ field
• Survey or DP plans
• Staging plans
• Notice of Determination / DA
• Photos

Please submit your application via the BetterConnect portal or Contestable Works inbox.

In the meantime, we apologise for any inconvenience current processing delays may cause.

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?

Further to our communication on 24 September 2020 we would like to provide an update on the ASP Connections and Quality Manager role. 

Hamish Wheatley will take on the role of Acting ASP Connections and Quality Manager from 1 March 2021. We would like to thank Kevin Miller for his contribution while in this role over the past 6 months.

You can contact Hamish via email hamish.wheatley@essentialenergy.com.au.

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?

During transit, one of two condemned wooden poles being transported on a Jinker trailer failed, and part of the pole was ejected. The operator did not notice that only the butt of the pole remained on the Jinker until he arrived back at the depot. Workers located the ejected pole section approximately 15km from the depot.

This incident follows another recent incident as reported in Safety Brief 961_ASP Pole Failure on Jinker in Transit.

Safe loading of vehicles and restraint of loads are critically important in preventing injury to people and damage to property.

This High Potential Incident puts workers, members of the public and other motorists that we share the roadways with at risk.

What do you need to do?

1. Download and review Safety Alert – SA-85-21_ASP Wooden Pole Failure on Jinker in Transit located on the Document Library and Essential Engagement.
2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
3. View this communication via Essential Engagement at engage.essentialenergy.com.au/ASP.

Further Information

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

What is Happening?

During transit, a worker transporting a square concrete pole on a Jinker trailer heard a large bang. Looking in the rear-view mirror, he saw that the concrete pole had snapped in half and come off the Jinker.

Pole parts came into contact with a semi-trailer travelling in the opposite direction. The truck suffered damage and, while no person was injured, this incident had the potential to cause life-threatening injuries.

The pole was being replaced and was not condemned. No visual damage to the pole was evident when it was being removed or loaded prior to transit. The pole was loaded on the passenger side centre groove of the Jinker and was well secured with correctly rated and serviceable equipment. The operator completed the prestart checks required and the load was inspected prior to transport.

What do you need to do?

1. Download and review Safety Brief – SB-961_ASP Pole Failure on Jinker in Transit located on the Document Library and Essential Engagement.
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?

Endeavour Energy has notified Essential Energy of multiple incidents of network workers receiving electric shocks or arc flash burns while accessing cable ducts in trenches in recent weeks.

Endeavour Energy’s HSE Alert and Essential Energy’s updated Safety Brief relating to cutting of conduits when working on or near our network can be downloaded from the Document Library and Essential Engagement.

What do you need to do?

1. Download and review Safety Brief – SB-963_ASP Cutting Conduits Reminder Endeavour Alert located on the Document Library and Essential Engagement.
2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

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

Background

Essential Energy is making changes to the approval process for all single phase urban domestic embedded generation connection applications. These changes will improve compliance and turn-around times and, where certain criteria are met, eliminate the need to manually sign and return connection offers.

What is changing?

Under the NSW Service and Installation Rules (section 8.6.8 – maximum phase imbalance requirements), all single phase urban domestic embedded generation systems connected to a three-phase network must be export-limited to 5kW.

To comply with this requirement, from 1 March 2021 all connection applications received for single phase embedded generation systems greater than 5kW and equal to or less than 10kW in an urban domestic area will be expedited and a connection offer will be provided with a 5kW export limit condition.

What do you need to do?

If you are installing a single phase embedded generation system in an urban domestic location, please ensure that all details within the application are completed correctly, including the premises type in section 2.0. A single line diagram will still be required within the application documents, together with a voltage rise calculation for any urban systems greater than 5kW.

Ensure that the connection offer provided by Essential Energy is thoroughly reviewed, and any site-specific conditions or export limits are understood prior to commencing the installation.

If you are installing a three phase embedded generation system and would like an assessment completed for export availability above 5kW, please deselect the ‘request to expedite’ option in section 5.0 of the application form and the application will be reviewed by Essential Energy’s connections team.

Please communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Questions and Answers

Q. What will happen if I forget to deselect the expedite button in section 5.0 of the application form for an urban domestic embedded generation site?

A. Your application will be processed and a 5kW export limit applied.

If your connection application is for a three phase embedded generation system and you would like an assessment completed for the export availability above 5kW, please resubmit the application and deselect the expedite option in section 5.0. The application will be reviewed by Essential Energy’s connections team.

Q. Will I receive a greater export capability if a premises is converted to three phase?

A. Three phase embedded generation systems will be reviewed by Essential Energy against the existing distribution network capacity. If an export greater than 5kW can be accommodated without distribution network augmentation, details will be provided in the connection offer. In some cases, 5kW is the maximum export available at premises regardless of the number of phases specified. A connection application must be submitted to initiate the review process.

Q. How can I confirm if a customer’s premises is urban or rural?

A. Land zoning information can be confirmed using the NSW planning portal by click on the link https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/spatialviewer/#/find-a-property/address.

Q. I have received a connection offer with a 5kW export limitation. What does this mean?

A. The total solar export for this premises, including all combined connected solar systems must be export limited to 5 kW. If a connection offer relates to a three-phase system, 5kW is the total export at site balanced across 3 phases (e.g. 1.67kW per phase).

Q. What if I am installing a single phase embedded generation system greater than 5kW and equal to or less than 10kW system within an urban domestic embedded network (e.g. townhouse complex, lifestyle village)?

A. The application must include details of all the embedded generating systems within the embedded network connected to the same low voltage connection point, and the voltage rise calculations with all generating systems. The application will be reviewed by Essential Energy’s connection team, with consideration given to all existing and proposed generation at the connection point.

Further Information

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

Background

Currently, Essential Energy allows Accredited Service Providers (ASPs) to undertake ‘knowledge only’ refresher training as part of adapting to working under COVID-19.

What is changing?

From 1 December 2020, all ASPs who are due for annual Refresher re-assessment will be required to undertake the full Annual Refresher Assessments (knowledge and practical) appropriate to their ASP Level and requirements.

The list of providers below are endorsed to deliver Essential Energy’s Electrical Safety Rules (ESRs) training, and offer the majority of training undertaken by ASPs:

• CTC - 07 3216 6711 https://ctc.qld.edu.au/
• EnerSafe - 02 8602 2000 https://www.enersafe.com.au/
• TAFE NSW - 131 225 https//:www.tafensw.edu.au/asp
• IAC Safety Services - 1300 887 317 https://www.iacsafetyservices.com.au/
• Interlink - 1300 731 669 https://interlinktraining.com.au/
• Intuitive Training - 0405 103 690 https://intuitivetraining.com.au
• JB Hunter - 1800 672 933 https://www.jbhunter.edu.au/
• NECA Training - 02 9188 4424 https://skills@neca.asn.au
• Power Safety Training - 07 3288 8800 https://www.powersafetytraining.com.au
• Thomson Bridge 1300 15 66 85 https://www.thomsonbridge.com

Essential Energy will run Annual Fresher Assessments as a ‘provider of last resort’ only. This means we will be offering limited sessions in 2021, which will be published on our website in mid-December under training.

What do you need to do?

1. Review the above communication, information on the training page of our website and attend refresher training
2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
3. View this communication via Essential Engagement at engage.essentialenergy.com.au/ASP

Further Information

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

Background information

As previously advised, from 1 December 2020, Level 1 Accredited Service Providers (ASP) will be required to enter a Level 1 ASP Authorisation Agreement with Essential Energy to continue to undertake and/or facilitate contestable works on or near our electricity distribution network.

Submissions made after 1 December 2020 will incur the relevant fees.

Authorisation accreditation pack

To become Authorised under the new framework, you will need to provide:

• your completed application for Authorisation CEOF2568.01
• your signed Level 1 Authorisation Agreement CEOF2568
• evidence of your accreditation with the Department
• copies of your certificates of currency, and
• the value of your bank guarantee.

All original documentation must be mailed via registered post to Essential Energy, Attention: David Wilson, PO Box 5730, PORT MACQUARIE NSW 2444

Following approval, we will counter-sign the agreement and return a copy to you.

Please note, any Ancillary Network Service fee for initial Authorisation will be waived providing the Authorisation Agreement is executed prior to 1 December 2020. Following this, please refer to the Price Schedule for Ancillary Network Service section 17.1 Authorisation of Accredited Service Providers (ASPs). Initial Authorisation fees for new ASPs & renewal charges for current ASPs will apply and your Authorisation will occur every 12 months on your accreditation renewal date.

Bank guarantees

If you require assistance from Essential Energy to organise your bank guarantee, or if you would like to talk to us about the bank guarantee requirement, including the process for releasing any existing bank guarantees, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au with a preferred date and time to meet. Meetings will be facilitated either by phone or Zoom with our Revenue Assurance and ASP Compliance Managers. Please ensure you have spoken to your financial institutions about their specific process and requirements ahead of the meeting.

Further information

The associated documents and a short introductory video are available on Essential Engagement/ASP located under Company Authorisation.

If you have any questions please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.