Level 3 ASPs

What is happening?

As Part of being easy to do business with, and listening to your feedback Essential Energy are pleased to share that we are in the process of updating CEOM7081 – Subtransmission Line Design Manual, so that certain Overhead subtransmission projects can be designed utilising Powerlines Pro as the modelling software.

Draft changes to CEOM7081 – Subtransmission Line Design Manual

5.8.2 Design Software for Subtransmission Line Design.

Essential Energy uses specific software packages; PLS Cadd and Powerlines Pro, for subtransmission line design. Essential Energy requires designers submit software files and design material compatible with either PLS Cadd or Powerlines Pro.

PLS Cadd

Weather criteria files for the five weather zones and a weather cases file are listed in Section 6.6 for easy reference.

These files are also available electronically along with computer models of Essential Energy’s standard subtransmission poles, fittings and assemblies for use with the PLS_Cadd software package.

The electronic files are available to Contract Designers who are engaged in subtransmission line design for Essential Energy.

Powerlines Pro

Powerlines Pro may be used to design subtransmission lines where ruling span analysis is acceptable. This typically includes single wood, concrete and steel poles. Currently Powerlines Pro may not be used to submit designs where Finite Element Analysis is required, such as use of structural analysis of H Frame structures, other braced or dual pole structures or towers, or where pole flexibility is a design consideration such as un-stayed strain structures across large spans, e.g. unstayed river crossings.

A Powerlines Pro master file providing a library of Essential Energy’s Conductors, Poles and Constructions is also available on request to Contract Designers.

6.1 Introduction

The structural design methods in this manual are based on ‘limit state’ concepts as recommended by AS/NZS 7000 and parts of this Section of the manual are taken directly from this document.

Whilst the design of subtransmission lines can be carried out manually it is most often carried out with the use of specialised software packages. These may include overhead line design software and pole footing design software.

This structural Section will provide the Essential Energy parameters for designs to be carried out either manually or by software package. In all instances, any software utilised for any complete design or part thereof shall be approved by Essential Energy. To enable checking and future maintenance, Essential Energy requires the use of PLS_Cadd, Powerlines Pro or software that can provide the design in a form readily accepted by PLS_Cadd or Powerlines Pro. The software shall enable design compliance with all relevant codes and regulations and conform to current industry practice.

PLS_Cadd Software Design Criteria files are included in Section 6.6, however, an electronic copy can be provided to Contract Designers for use with PLS_Cadd as used by Essential Energy.

A Powerlines Pro master file providing a library of Essential Energy’s Conductors, Poles and Constructions is also available on request to Contract Designers.

Essential Energy subtransmission lines are to be designed for a one in one-hundred-year return period (RP) for regional wind speeds: RP=100 year (ie annual probability of exceedence = 1/100).

What do you need to do?

1. Review the draft text from CEOM7081 – Subtransmission Line Design Manual.
2. In July, you can begin utilising Powerlines Pro for overhead subtransmission projects in alignment with the above criteria.
3. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

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

Changes made to CEOF6013 – Outage, Connection & Work Live LV request from

Following recent incidents of outages extending beyond requested timeframes, Essential Energy has amended form CEOF6013 Request for Planned Outage, Connection or Work Live LV.

The new form will be available in the Document Library from 1 July 2020 and we request that you start using it immediately after that date.

Key changes to CEOF6013 Request for Planned Outage, Connection or Work Live LV are:

• The ASP must provide 5 days’ notice when they intend to work live LV.
• The ASP is to state the Access Permit duration time required to complete the work.
• A detailed description of works must be provided, including work areas and tasks to be undertaken.
• Additional fees will be applied for Access Permits outside of business hours.
• Outlines actions and responsibilities for the ASP when customers are affected by planned outages.
• Switching / commissioning officer has a checklist as a guide to assist with the contestable process.

Please familiarise yourself with the new form and the notes listed on page 2. If you have any questions, please contact your local Network Assurance Facilitator.

What do you need to do?

1. Review the above key changes and submit CEOF6013 version 8 from 1 July 2020. The revised CEOF6013 form will be located in the Document Library.
2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

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

As you are aware the new BetterConnect portal for level 3 ASPs went live on the 25 May 2020. We appreciate it takes time to get use to a new system and have extended the validity of active Design Information Packs (DIP) which are due to expire prior to COB 12 June 2020 by an additional 4 weeks.

If you have a project with a DIP that falls into this category, please submit a Design Submission to contestableworks@essentialenergy.com.au prior to COB 10 July 2020. After this date, any expired DIP will require a new Design Information Application to be submitted via the BetterConnect Portal, as no DIPs will be reissued via the contestable works email address.

If you have a DIP that expired before 25 May 2020 you will need to reapply via the BetterConnect portal.

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?

From 1 July 2019, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) introduced new regulatory charges for Ancillary Network Services. As an Accredited Service Provider (ASP), Authorised Person (AUP) or Electrical Contractor (EC), you would be aware of the current Ancillary Network Services charges applicable to services you provide to your customers.

The AER has approved the new regulatory charges for Essential Energy’s Ancillary Network Services to be implemented from 1 July 2020.

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

What do you need to do?

1. Review the 2020-21 Pricing Schedules for Ancillary Network Services available on the Essential Energy website
2. Accredited Service Providers, Authorised Persons and Electrical Contractors should consider pricing changes when preparing quotations for customers regarding future work
3. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation

Further Information

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

To assist Essential Energy in ensuring that all work completed and commissioned in the 2019-20 financial year is correctly recorded and closed in our systems, we are asking you, where practical, to please send us all the required paperwork.

We are also requesting that you submit a schedule to rectify all outstanding non-conformances prior to 1 July 2020. If you are unsure of your current outstanding non-conformance status, please contact your local NAF or SNAF (Network Assurance Facilitator).

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, or alternatively contact your local NAF or SNAF.

What is happening?

Essential Energy is committed to providing customers who wish to install low-voltage embedded generation access to the network where it does not compromise quality, safety and reliability of supply to other network users.

To facilitate this, we have revised our assessment criteria for connection of embedded generators to the low-voltage network.

Effective Monday 15 June 2020 our revised criteria requires that voltage rise on Service Mains is maintained within 1% (in accordance with clauses '1.12.3.4' & '8.6.13' of the NSW Service Installation Rules). This will enable Essential Energy to maintain voltage at the point of connection at 253V.

Exemptions

Application of exemption clause '8.6.13.1' will not be accepted when it results in an increase of voltage on the Service Mains greater than 1%. We will consider exemption where combined voltage in the Consumer Mains and Sub Mains is limited to 2% (as per clause '3.3.3' of AS/NZS4777.1-2016).

Alternative compliance mechanisms may include applicants proposing Service Mains augmentation or imposing export limits to their generator systems in order to maintain the voltage rise within the Service Mains to 1% (as per clause '8.6.3' of the NSW Service Installation Rules, and noting that export limits will not impose a limit on the capacity of generator systems for self-consumption).

At this time, the standing automatic approval for energy export of 5kW per connection point for urban, and 3kW per connection point for rural customers remains in place.

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.

The BetterConnect Portal successfully went live at 8.00 am on Monday 25 May 2020.

From now on, all Level 3 ASPs (and their nominated employees) will be able to submit requests for the following core contestable Design processes through the new portal:

• Design information Requests
• Notice of Arrangement Only Requests
• Asset Labels Requests
• Design Certification Pack Requests
• Easements Only Requests

This automation will deliver a more streamlined and efficient process, with faster turn around times, seamless collaboration with Essential Energy Design and Certification staff, and greater transparency of the status of all your cases.

Support

We are ready to support you if you have any issues, and there are also some great reference materials available on Essential Engagement for you and your teams to use.

We will be available via Zoom to answer your questions between 11.00 am to 12 noon on Wednesday and Friday this week. You can join one of these sessions using the meeting login and password that have been emailed to you.

A reminder we also have our information sessions this Tuesday and Thursday at 10.00 am if you would like to join us.

The portal has a comments field built into it for use as your first point of call. This feature allows all information to be stored in one place which can be accessed easily at any time. It also means that you are not relying on a single resource at our end to keep your project moving.

If you are having issues and are not able to log into the portal, please send an email outlining your issue, including screenshots of error messages, to betterconnect.project@essentialenergy.com.au

The live portal is a new tool for Essential Energy staff as well, so we will all be learning new ways of working together.

Background

Following the initial feedback we received from ASPs and internal stakeholders, Essential Energy has significantly amended CEOP2015 General Terms and Conditions for Contestable Works.

The document has been renamed CEOP2015 Contestable Work Guidelines and the revised version and a content variation document are available on the Document Library .

Seeking Feedback

We are now seeking your further input to ensure that the updated document is easy to use and has the information you require to undertake contestable work on or near our network. A review and feedback form are available in the information folder on Essential Engagement.

Please review the updated document and send your suggestions and feedback to aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au by 31 August 2020. This information will then be reviewed and, where practical, incorporated into the next version.

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

Background

The NSW Service and Installation Rules stipulate that low voltage connections greater than 100 Amps must be reviewed by the electricity distributor.

To facilitate compliance and ensure consistency, Essential Energy is centralising our review process.

What is changing?

From today, all connection applications for low voltage customer switchboards with ratings of more than 100 Amps per phase (new/modified and with or without CT metering) are to be submitted with a proposed load, single line diagram and power factor correction details (if applicable), and a completed “Switch Board Compliance Statement”, CEOF7819 can be found on the Document Library.

All requests must be submitted via switchboard.review@essentialenergy.com.au, using the standard naming convention – Address_Customer Name_Submitting Company Name_Submission Version (Example - 2 Southern Cross Dr Ballina_ Marelex_V1).

Following receipt of your submission, Essential Energy will assess the documentation and respond as ‘appears compliant’ or if non-compliant, as ‘rejected’.

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

As part of Essential Energy’s commitment to continuous improvement, we are seeking feedback from our customers and business partners about how easy we are to do business with.

Feedback received from ASPs and Electrical Contractors to date has assisted us in ensuring that the capabilities and quality of our products and services are meeting your expectations now and into the future.

Over the next few weeks, a representative from Woolcott Research & Engagement may contact you to participate in a survey that will assess your satisfaction with our service delivery and operational performance. Your input is needed to help Essential Energy optimise customer outcomes and ensure our operations are aligned to your needs.

Further Information

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