Level 1 ASPs
Level 1 ASP undertake work to extend the overhead and/or underground electricity network or increase the capacity of the existing network.
- Proactive discussions, engagement and insights from Level 1 Accredited Service Providers;
- Critical information updates; and
- Other useful and relevant information
If you need further information or support, 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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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
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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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
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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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
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.
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2019 Underground Cables Seminar
What is Happening?
The Australian CIGRE Panel APB1, which deals with underground cables, has identified a general, industry-wide lack of underground cable systems experience and knowledge.To address this, the Panel is planning to organise a three-day information and education seminar in Sydney later this year.Discussions and presentations will cover all aspects of design, installation, maintenance, etc. of underground cable systems. At least one international expert will be attending as a guest speaker, and the seminar will also provide great networking opportunities.A daily fee will apply. The amount is yet to be decided, but the panel is proposing to keep this to a minimum to encourage participation.The Panel is keen to gauge the level of interest ASP Level 1s and Level 3s have in attending this type of seminar. Also, since seminar details are still being decided, your feedback is welcome and can be emailed to Panel member Graeme Barnewell. For example, would you prefer two days, rather than three?Would you like to nominate specific topics to be covered?Additionally,What do you need to do?- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
- Please email your interest in attending, together with any feedback, to Graeme Barnwell at graeme.barnewall@essentialenergy.com.au.
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Reminder - Price Schedule for Ancillary Network Services 2019-24
Background
Essential Energy recently received the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) Final Distribution Determination for Ancillary Network Services covering the 2019-24 Regulatory Control Period (RCP). This determination regulates the pricing structure for Essential Energy to provide services to external customers.
What does this mean for you?
From 1 July 2019, Essential Energy will implement approved Ancillary Network Services as per the AER’s determination.
To help you understand any changes in services and charges, we have developed supporting information and application guidelines by ASP level. These documents will be located on Essential Energy’s Document Library.
Please note, however, that throughout the 2019-24 RCP, Essential Energy may introduce several new regulatory services in targeted areas, based on external feedback, statutory changes and to better reflect the way services are provided.
Additionally, implementation of the AER’s determination by Essential Energy from 1 July 2019 will incur CPI and other cost increases each year until 30 June 2024. ASPs should review service and price changes when preparing quotations for future work.
Where is information about the changes available?- Read more about the determination, and access the full service pricing and definition document on Essential Energy’s Document Library and Essential Engagement
- Visit the AER website to view all documents associated with the final determination on its website: https://www.aer.gov.au/networks-pipelines/determinations-access-arrangements/essential-energy-determination-2019-24. For ease of reference, Attachment 15 on the AER web site outlines the new charges for Ancillary Network Services: Final Decision - Attachment 15 - Alternative Control Services
What do you need to do?- Review the Price Schedule for Ancillary Network Services 1 July 2019 and the ASP Change Overview located on Essential Energy’s Document Library and Essential Engagement
- 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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Reduced staff availability for Contestable Works services
What is Happening?During the period from 17 June 2019 to 20 June 2019 contestable works designers and network assurance facilitators will have limited resources available as we are attending training.We appreciate your patience during this period. For any major issue during this period please contact David Wilson via email david.wilson@essentialenergy.com.auWhat 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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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Safety Brief 855 – Porcelain Fuse Assemblies
What is Happening?Essential Energy has been informed by Energy Queensland that asbestos containing materials have been found in some of the fuse carriers on their 45amp LV porcelain fuse assemblies. Initial investigations at Essential Energy show that we may have some of these fuse assemblies in our network which must be treated as containing bonded asbestos, until further testing can be done by Essential Energy.Safety Brief 855 - Porcelain Fuse Assemblies is being shared for your information and can be accessed from Essential Energy’s Document LibraryFurther InformationIf you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au -
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Safety Alert – Suspension of high voltage live line work
Background - what happened?On 24 May 2019, a member of an Essential Energy crew undertaking high voltage live line work on a 22,000 volt powerline in Narromine is believed to have experienced an electric shock.The employee was transferred to hospital for assessment and monitoring, and subsequently released that afternoon.Essential Energy is investigating the circumstances that led to this incident.Until the contributing factors and causal pathways are understood, all high voltage live line work has been suspended within Essential Energy.What do you need to do?- Contact your local representative if you have any high voltage live line work currently scheduled for completion by Essential Energy.
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
Further InformationIf you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au
Page last updated: 29 Apr 2024, 12:14 PM
Who's Listening
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Phone 02 6933 5956 Email hamish.wheatley@essentialenergy.com.au
