Level 3 ASPs

Level 3 ASPs design overhead and/or underground distribution and Sub - transmission network assets.

  • Proactive discussions, engagement and insights from Level 3 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.

Important Document Links:

Level 3 ASPs design overhead and/or underground distribution and Sub - transmission network assets.

  • Proactive discussions, engagement and insights from Level 3 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.

Important Document Links:

  • You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.

    Maclean Power items on Approved Materials List

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    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

  • You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.

    Relocation of third party attachments

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    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?

    1. Review the above information and refer to CEOF6586 - Advice of Pole Maintenance located on Essential Energy’s Document Library
    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

  • You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.

    Essential Energy ASP Forums October 2019

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    What is Happening?

    As part of our commitment to improve our relationship and communications with ASPs, Essential Energy
    are holding the next round of forums. The purpose of these forums is for an ASP to come along and hear
    about the latest news in the ASP space and to ask questions or raise issues with representatives from
    various 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 determine
    venue sizes we would appreciate any ASPs who wish to attend complete a survey or email
    aspinfo@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?

    1. Please complete the survey at engage.essentialenergy.com.au/ASP click on your relevant ASP level, then go into Surveys & Forms
    2. 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.

    Important Reminder to all Level 3 Designers

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    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 information
    provided by the applicant. Essential Energy does not warrant or accept liability for inaccuracies or
    incomplete information. The applicant must inform Essential Energy of any conflict with the
    information 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 section

    The 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 sites

    Padmount 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 identification

    Recent 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 URD

    When 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 Letters

    Notification 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.

    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.

    2019 Underground Cables Seminar

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    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?

    1. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
    2. Please email your interest in attending, together with any feedback, to Graeme Barnwell at graeme.barnewall@essentialenergy.com.au.
  • You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.

    Reminder - Price Schedule for Ancillary Network Services 2019-24

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    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?

    What do you need to do?

    1. 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
    2. 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.

    Reduced staff availability for Contestable Works services

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    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.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

  • You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.

    Safety Brief 855 – Porcelain Fuse Assemblies

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    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 Library

    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.

    Draft Price Schedule for Ancillary Network Services 2019-24

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    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?


    What do you need to do?

    1. Review the draft Price Schedule for Ancillary Network Services 1 July 2019 and the ASP Change Overview located on Essential Energy’s 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

  • You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.

    Low Voltage Connection Applications for Community and Strata Title Developments

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    What is currently happening?

    Low Voltage (LV) connection applications for single user connections are required to be submitted via the online connection portal, this is done to determine whether the existing LV electrical network can support the connection requirements or if augmentation is required. The application requires a National Metering Identifier (NMI) which is obtained from the electricity retailer. After submission the application will be assessed, and a LV connection offer will be made. This is typically either a BASIC or STANDARD connection.

    Torrens title developments which require the LV electrical network to be extended and a physical point of connection to be established for each individual lot do not require a NMI or LV connection application. This is because this type of development will create multiple LV connections to the network as part of a contestable works project.

    Community and strata title developments are different as they generally make connection to the LV electrical network via a single point. These require a LV application to be submitted which details the total site load for the development. To enable an application for this type of development to be submitted, the ASP is required to obtain a NMI from the electricity retailer which is used to complete the mandatory field on the online connection portal.

    The issue with obtaining a NMI

    • Where a single new connection is required, obtaining a NMI from the electricity retailer can be done by the responsible Accredited Service Provider (ASP). The requestor contacts the retailer who provides the NMI after their requirements have been met.
    • Obtaining a NMI for a Community or Strata title development has recently been identified by several ASP’s as a very difficult task. This has been investigated internally and as a result, it has been agreed that Essential Energy will run a trial period where Essential Energy creates and issues a non-market NMI directly to Level 3 ASP for these Community or Strata title developments.
    • When Power of Choice was introduced where retailers issue electricity meters this has caused problems amongst the retailers who are unable to process a request for a NMI without a meter association.

    Requesting a Non-Market NMI

    This trial will require Level 3 ASPs to request the non-market NMI directly from the contestable works administration team, by sending an email to contestableworks@essentialenergy.com.au with the subject line of ‘Request for NMI - Community/Strata development’, the body of the email must contain the project address (including Lot & DP number) and the project/development description.

    Once this request has been validated and processed, a non-market NMI will be issued to the Level 3 ASP and this NMI will never be published to the market. It is expected that the turnaround for this service will be much quicker than the current process with the retailers.

    What do you need to do?

    1. For Community/Strata development request a non-market NMI by emailing contestableworks@essentialenergy.com.au
    2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation

    Further Information

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

Page last updated: 17 May 2024, 03:54 PM