You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
What's Happening?
Essential Connections Portal is now in full swing with Construction phase expected to Go Live in 2024.
To enable the transition of Construction projects from the current process to the new Essential Connections Portal all Designs must be submitted with the Construction Schedule in the format mandated in 2023.
To support our updated design standards, we have created a Microsoft Excel template file to standardise design construction schedules located on our support page Construction Schedule Template. The structure of this template is similar to our existing formatting requirements, with two additional columns – Status and Asset Type. Our Design Submission policy CEOM7001 is updated to reflect this new format.
Neara users
A new step-by-step guide is available for Level 3 ASPs using NEARA and Essential Energy’s Network Model. This includes handy tips on how to use the Overhead Construction Report.
For example, if you use ‘Material Statuses’ in Neara, it populates the Overhead Construction Schedule for you. This saves you time, provides consistency in terminology and enables data integration between Neara and other Essential Energy systems.
We have also made it easy to convert the construction schedule in the template to a visually suitable format for inclusion on a construction plan with an ‘Export to Construction Plan’ button within the template. The Status and Asset type will auto populate from the Standard Drawing Number where possible, or users can select from dropdown menus.
If you use Neara and access our LiDAR and standards libraries, we recommend that you use the Overhead Construction Report Builder within Neara.
What do you need to do?
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.
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
What is happening?
We’ve updated our Privacy Policy to allow customer information to be shared with ASPs and other external parties without the need for prior customer approval.
What are the benefits?
ASPs can consult directly with impacted customers in their early planning stages for work and associated outages including generator request, to pro-actively address any concerns or potential issues.
How can I obtain customer information?
-
Requests for information should be submitted on your behalf either by:
- the Essential Energy employee managing your outage request, or
- the Network Assurance Facilitator you’re working with.
- Please ensure your request includes all ASP or other third-party contact details, including name, email address, contact phone number, business name and relevant Network Access Request (NAR) or work details.
- We’ll send the requested customer information via email.
What do you need to do?
Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
Further Information
If you need further information, please visit Essential Energy’s website: https://engage.essentialenergy.com.au/privacy, or 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 November ASP engagement forums will be held via Zoom. In this round, we’ll be covering a range of topics including:
- Safety
- Standards – Updates to the overhead and underground manuals, as well as Construction News and transitioning to composite poles
- Contestable Design – CEOM7001 Construction Plan Requirements, New Earthing Guide and tips for Neara
- Improvements to surveyor’s advice
- Updates to our easement policies
- Essential Connections –the platform, upcoming construction and commissioning roll out, next steps for CEOP2015 Terms and Conditions for Contestable Works (Guidelines) and process changes.
We encourage you to participate in these forums. You’ll have the opportunity to discuss our plans and initiatives, and to ask questions, make suggestions and raise issues with Essential Energy team members.
Dates and Times
A confirmation email will be sent to you with the Zoom meeting link once you have registered.
What do you need to do?
- Select the session time above that suits you and reserve your spot.
- 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?
To minimise the disruption to customers during the Christmas / New Year period, no planned interruptions with a customer impact will be scheduled from 18 December 2023 to the 1 January 2024 and will resume on 2 January 2024.
We will have limited resources to undertake Contestable Works during the same period with business resuming as normal from 2 January 2024. Essential Connections will still be available for submissions; however, limited resources will be available to process requests.
What do you need to do?
- Review your planned interruption schedule for the dates above and work with your nominated Local Depot Switching Resource to reschedule where required.
- 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.
Essential Energy has updated the Neutron Design Tips and can be accessed from Essential Engagement.
- Access via Essential Engagement Level 3 ASPs.
- Select Neutron widget located on the left-hand side of the page.
- Click on More for step-by-step instructions.
- Click on Neuton Design Tips
- Unzip the file
- Copy the pdf files to C:\Program Files (x86)\Essential Energy\Neutron on your local computer.
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 following Essential Energy policies have been updated to reflect legislative changes, a general review of easement requirements and changes in easement document processing:
- CEOF9091 – Submission of Easement Documents includes the ECN or Case Number
- CEOF6274b – Creation of Easement Customer Deed includes electronic signature provisions
- CEOF6274c – Creation of Easement Landowner Deed includes electronic signature provisions
- CEOF6496 – Operational Form – Creation of Easements for Services refers to the Essential Connections Portal
- CERM8046.01 – Execution of easement documentation procedure guide reflects the new Essential Connections process
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CEOP8046 – Easement Requirements has various and significant amendments, including:
- requirement to lodge easement documents via the Essential Connections Portal
- removal of Clauses 5.2.2 e & d
- removal of clause 5.5
- amendment of Clause 5.2.2 to provide that easements are required irrespective of land size
- inclusion of easement dimensions for a 33kv elongated pad mounted substation
- updated landowner consent form requirements, and
- removal of outdated references.
Please refer to each of the above documents to review the changes. Please also note that while CEOF6274b & CEOF6274c have been updated and are available for use, it is Essential Energy’s preference that CEOF6274f - Agreement for Creation of Easement is used where possible.
What do you need to do?
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
-
Update your templates via the 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.
What is Happening?
Essential Energy’s November ASP engagement forums will be held via Zoom. In this round, we’ll be covering a range of topics including:
- Safety
- Standards – Updates to the overhead and underground manuals, as well as Construction News and transitioning to composite poles
- Contestable Design – CEOM7001 Construction Plan Requirements, New Earthing Guide and tips for Neara
- Improvements to surveyor’s advice
- Updates to our easement policies
- Essential Connections –the platform, upcoming construction and commissioning roll out, next steps for CEOP2015 Terms and Conditions for Contestable Works (Guidelines) and process changes.
We encourage you to participate in these forums. You’ll have the opportunity to discuss our plans and initiatives, and to ask questions, make suggestions and raise issues with Essential Energy team members.
Dates and Times
A confirmation email will be sent to you with the Zoom meeting link once you have registered.
What do you need to do?
- Select the session time above that suits you and reserve your spot.
- 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 recognises the importance of incorporating management strategies crucial to mitigating the risk and impact of bush fire on the community and ensures that the effects of its work activities on bushfires are minimised and comply with the relevant legislation.
In response to past bush fire events which resulted in a devastating loss of life and property, the NSW Government introduced legislative changes to ensure bushfire matters are considered in the development and maintenance processes within our industry. At present, all new development on bush fire prone land must comply with Planning for Bush Fire Protection 2019 which sets out the basis for all bushfire planning and bushfire protection measures.
The spring 2023 bushfire outlook issued by the Australasian Fire Authorities Council (AFAC) emphasises the need for immediate community and business preparedness. Australia's climate has changed since last spring, with a transition to higher temperatures and lower rainfall predicted by the Bureau of Meteorology. This shift follows years of above average rainfall during La Nina seasons.
Be Prepared
Each of us should have a bushfire survival plan in place and be ready, even if the time never comes. Download the Hazards Near Me app and be notified when fires occur within your area.
There may be a requirement for Essential Energy to review and possibly suspend requested outages in certain situations if bushfires hazards are severe.
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 have received feedback on the challenges being faced when a job requires surveyor's advice. As a result, we have undertaken working groups with ASPs and Surveyors and shared the first steps on 9 October 2023. To recap we have updated the CEOF2579 - Surveyor’s Advice, surveyors now have the option to provide a stamped asset location survey plan instead of a letter.
To further assist we would like to suggest that you consider the following to help you commence construction within the desired timeframe:
- Customer or ASP engages the Surveyor early in the project.
- Surveyor pegs out the boundaries and asset locations for the constructor.
- Construction works are completed within the pegged boundaries.
- When practicable for underground assets, the trench is left open until the Network Assurance Facilitator (NAF) can visually sight the cable/conduits and confirm the assets are being constructed within the pegged boundaries/easement at mid-construct (where applicable.
- Arrange for the Surveyor to attend site (prior to backfilling) to sight and confirm location of installed assets.
- Provide detailed photos that clearly show peg locations relative to the trench or cable installation – use a measuring device to provide scale in the photo.
As a reminder, it is a requirement of CEOP2015 - Contestable Works Guidelines that asset locations are confirmed by survey to be located within an easement area, or within the road reserve and Essential Energy’s asset allocation. It is very important that the assets are installed as per the certified design so as to avoid safety issues or legal disputes in the future. To ensure a safe, reliable distribution network, our assets need to be protected.
If you are unable to engage a surveyor for a specific job, please speak to your local Network Assurance Facilitator (NAF) to discuss exceptional circumstances, this will be escalated and considered on a case-by-case basis.
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.
Neara General Information
Using Neara - Session 1 for ASPs - Introduction and Navigation (1). (5.52 MB) (pdf)