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IMPORTANT: Essential Energy have updated our Bush Fire Priority Ratings
Over the past 12 months, Essential Energy has updated their Bushfire Priority Ratings (BPR). The modelling used to determine the ratings has been improved through the energy networks Australia project IGNIS. This was a joint collaboration between several utilities and the University of Melbourne. For more information relation to the bushfire modelling change please click here.
What this means is that many areas that were a Priority 1 have changed and other areas in the state have been updated to Priority 1.
The map below shows the changes.
We store these BPRs in our GIS system. The GIS data has now been updated and pole reports and information in your Design Information Packs will now have the new BPR - P1 to P4.
Remember that P1 areas require specific design parameters for circuit clearance. Refer to CEOM7097 – Overhead Design Manual, Clause 3-4-4-4 Special requirements for bushfire risk areas.
NEARA GIS parameters
Designers would be aware that NEARA has GIS information when you select a pole.
Please note unfortunately, due to technical reasons, these BPR changes are not yet reflected within the GIS shown in Neara against each pole. Until the network model in Neara is updated, you will need to refer to the “Additional Properties” panel against each pole selected.
See the screenshots below for help in finding this data.
Please update your inflight designs from the master file to view the updated bushfire risk priority in the additional properties panel for each pole.
The links below will assist you in updating your design from the master file.
All of Essential Energy’s how-to guides and training videos are available on Essential Energy’s Digital Asset Management page at the link below.
What do you need to do?
- Review the above information and check the design information for latest Bushfire Priority Ratings.
- When in NEARA, please refer to the BPR noted in the Additional Properties Panel.
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
Further Information
If 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.
What is Happening?
The Essential Energy ASP Forum (zoom) was held on 1 May 2024. The links to supporting material are listed below.
What do you need to do?
-
Review the slide deck and watch the recording of the ASP Forum May 2024
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation
Further Information
If 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.
What is Happening?
Essential Energy would like to remind all Authorised Service Providers (ASPs) of the importance of adhering to CEOP8030 - Electrical Safety Rules, particularly section 4.4.2 Personal Protective Equipment. This section mandates the use of an arc-rated face shield during the making or breaking of underground service connections, a critical safety measure to protect against the dangers of arc flash incidents. Compliance with these rules is not only a legal obligation but also a fundamental aspect of workplace safety, ensuring that all personnel are adequately protected during potentially hazardous operations. It is imperative for all ASPs to familiarise themselves with these requirements and integrate them into their daily safety protocols.
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.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Please be advised that maintenance will occur on Tuesday 30 April 2024 4pm to 5pm. During this time Secure Web Forms (SWF) will be unavailable.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.
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.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
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.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
What is Happening?
We’ve uploaded a recording of the Essential Connections information and help session held on the 3 April 2024 to Essential Engagement for those of you who weren’t able to attend.
To access the recording, click here to view now, or go to Essential Engagement and click on the Essential Connections 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.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Support for Essential Connections Portal.
Support Session will be available over the next 3 Wednesdays to assist Level 2 ASPs and Electrical Contactors with questions relating to the utilisation of the Portal. Sessions are 1 hour long – drop in anytime during this time. You can just ask a quick question or stay as long as you choose.
Click the ‘Register here’ link for the session that suits you. Tip! Save into your calendar or note down the joining details (Meeting ID and passcode).
What do you need to do?
- Ensure you are registered to attend the support sessions.
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
Further Information
If 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.
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?
- Review and comply with this requirement.
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
Further Information
If 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.
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.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
What’s happening?
Secure Web Forms (SWF) will be unavailable on Wednesday, 29 November from 4pm till 7pm for necessary system maintenance.
This will also impact our Essential Connection Portal and you will be unable to submit a Notice of Service Works (NOSW) during this timeframe. We apologise for any inconvenience.
If you experience any other issues with Essential Connection during this time, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.
What do you need to do?
- Please log out of Secure Web Forms prior to 4pm on Wednesday, 29 November 2023.
- Do not submit any NOSW during the system maintenance.
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
Further Information
If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.
2024
CN24-12 CEOM7104.20 Construction Standard Update - Pole Substation Fuse Crossarms Assemblies (138 KB) (pdf)