Level 3 ASPs

We recently conducted a review of our non-conformance process and identified several areas where the process could be strengthened. Following consultation with our Accredited Service Provider (ASP) focus group, we will be releasing the revised process on 1 October 2020.

There are two main areas of change:

• introduction of a non-conformance rectification plan and related timeframes, and
• introduction of an appeal process for ASPs to challenge non-conformances.

Non-conformance rectification plan

Our primary concern is to ensure network safety and integrity. To facilitate timely response, ASPs are to provide Essential Energy with a rectification plan within 7 days of a non-conformance notice being issued. Rectification plans for Major non-conformances must be provided within 48 hours. The plan should detail when and how the non-conformances will be resolved, and be e-mailed to the Network Assurance Facilitator in charge of the project with the subject line ‘Non-conformance rectification plan – project number’.

Non-conformances identified on projects not yet energised must be rectified within 30 days to secure network safety and reliability. Projects that are energised must have a CEOF6013 outage request form supplied as part of the paperwork.

Please note that, if the rectification plan and the supporting documentation are not supplied within the required timeframe, Essential Energy may undertake rectification at the expense of the Level 1 ASP responsible for the non-conformance.

An example of a rectification plan is available on the Document Library as a PDF form.

ASP appeals process

We recognise that there can be a level of subjectivity and inconsistency in determining non-conformances. To enable ASPs to challenge non-conformances, we are introducing a formal appeals process (which will be available in the next version of CEOP2015).

To dispute a non-conformance, please detail the facts upon which the appeal is based and attach any relevant information or supporting evidence with your appeal. Appeals should be sent to contestableworks@essentialenergy.com.au, with the subject line ‘Non-conformance appeal – project number’.

An appeals panel will meet weekly to review appeals in a timely manner, within 48 hours of your submission we will provide you with the date of the next meeting, requesting additional information, when required, or confirming that the appropriate evidence has been provided to review the appeal

CEOF6013 Request for Planned Outage, Connection or Work Live LV has been updated with an option for Non-Conformance Rectification (Access to Network).

If you have any questions or require assistance in relation to any aspect of our non-conformance process, please contact your local 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.

Further to our communication on 17 August 2020 we would like to provide an update on the ASP Connections and Quality Manager role.

Kevin Miller will continue as the Acting ASP Connections and Quality Manager until 1 March 2021. You can contact Kevin via email kevin.miller@essentialenergy.com.au.

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

Essential Energy has made improvements to Power Lines Pro to enhance the user experience for those Accredited Service Providers (ASPs) utilising it.

A technical update is available on Essential Engagement under Digital Asset Management, outline four additions being added to Power Lines Pro at 5pm on Wednesday 23 September 2020.

• Automation of ambient temperature for each span
• Pole mapping
• Conductor mapping
• Warning reports.

We have also developed a how to guide on Foundations to further support you.

What do you need to do?

1. Review the above documentation available on Essential Engagement under Digital Asset Management.
2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

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

Background

Recently we’ve experienced instances where redundant assets, including meters, have been returned to Depots without prior arrangement, causing significant delays for Depot workers and Accredited Service Providers (ASPs).

What is changing?

To comply with heightened social distancing and safety practices in our Depots the document “Warehouse Freight Protocol” (previously shared with Level 1 ASPs) has been updated.

An additional document, “Timber Pole Management COVID-19 Protocol”, has also been created to keep everyone safe.

It is important that all ASPs and Electrical Contractors (ECs) arrange a specific time to return any redundant materials as described in these documents. Scheduling an agreed time is necessary to protect the safety of both our ASP partners, ECs and our employees.

CEOP2015 Contestable work guidelines (available on the Document Library) details our requirements in the section “Return of redundant materials”. Please ensure that you follow these and other previously communicated guidelines.

What do you need to do?

1. Follow the protocols described in the beforementioned documents, which can be found on the Document Library.
2. Ensure that you arrange a return time with the relevant Depot Resource Supervisor or Regional Stores Officer.
3. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

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

Following successful implementation of the first stage of automating the network connections process through our BetterConnect design portal, David Wilson will be acting in the Head of Commercial Services Role for a minimum of 12 months to allow Alistair Fletcher, Head of Commercial Service, to oversee roll-out of the new system across the end to end connections process.

To ensure continuing support for Accredited Service Providers and Electrical Contractors, our Network Assurance Supervisor, Kevin Miller, is now your point of contact as Acting ASP Connections and Quality Manager. Kevin’s email is kevin.miller@essentialenergy.com.au.

We will provide you with further information when it is available.

In the meantime, please continue to contact your local NAF/SNAF (Network Assurance Officer) and send any general enquiries to aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.

Update – Installation of Spare Conduits in New Installations

On 18 June 2020, Construction New 20-03 Installation of Spare Conduits in New Installations was released.

After receiving feedback, Essential Energy has amended underground drawings CEOM7201.02 and CEOM7201.11 to clarify that installation of 25-50mm² supply cables is permitted in 50mm HD orange conduit. Any spare conduit that is required to be run with the supply cable must be a minimum of 125mm orange conduit.

Please refer to the drawings for conduit part numbers for the installation type.

What do you need to do?

1. Review the Construction New 20-03 Installation of Spare Conduits in New Installations, available on 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.

Following Essential Energy’s recent series of online training modules on Power Lines Pro and 3D modelling, our training materials are now available on Essential Engagement for you and your colleagues to access.

Training Material

The following training material is now available on Essential Engagement under Digital Asset Management:

• How to Guides for Modules 2 & 3
• Example .Power Files
• Power Lines Pro One Pager Information Sheet
• Frequently asked Questions and Answers Q&As
• Recorded training sessions (will also be added in the future).

Requesting Training Feedback

Please click on Essential Energy Training Survey Feedback to complete a short survey. It will only take a few minutes and will provide us with valuable information to help us create the content you want in the future.

Access to Essential Energy’s 3D model

If you haven’t already submitted your request to access our 3D model, construction libraries and LiDAR data please complete the access form which is available on Essential Engagement under Digital Asset Management and email the completed form to aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au by close of business Friday 14 August 2020. Once we receive your request it will be processed as soon as possible.

Future training – online sessions

To further support you with Power Lines Pro and our 3D model, drop-in zoom sessions will be held between the 18 – 20 August 2020. There will be no agenda for these sessions as they are aimed at supporting the ASPs who attended the training and who would like to ask further questions. Invites will be sent out shortly via email.

What do you need to do?

1. Click on Essential Energy Training Survey Feedback to complete the feedback survey.
2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
3. You may also wish to take advantage of a free trial and browse the support files at the Powerlines Pro website – if so, please sign up using the same email address as your Okta account.

Further Information

Further information on Power Lines Pro and the 3D Model can be found on Essential Engagement, under Digital Asset Management.

Visit the Power Lines Pro website - especially their support pages, for further information, FAQs, tutorials, troubleshooting and access to the community forums at: https://www.powerlinespro.freshdesk.com/support/home.

Additional resources newly available from Power Lines Pro are listed below, with relevant links.

• Sidewalk stay forum
• Customising your layout
• modelling with LiDAR

If you would like to ask anything or require further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.

LV Drop Parameters

Following changes to requirements for underground LV distribution cable installation and requests for review from software users, Essential Energy has reviewed LV drop parameters and reduced the confidence factor. The value is now 2 for all fields. We anticipate that the software will be updated and provided to all users. In the meantime, please manually adjust the values.

Additionally, from 24 August 2020 Essential Energy requires the LV drop model file to be included with all submissions – further details are in the LV Drop Parameter document.

Update to CEOM7001

CEOM7001 ground clearance requirements has been updated to include conductor minimum ground clearance and thermal rating. For overhead conductors being modelled within a construction plan, the overhead conductor schedule needs to reference:

• Minimum Design Ground Clearance @ Maximum Operating Temperature

This can be taken from the overhead design manual (CEOP7097).

From 24 August 2020, please submit overhead conductor schedule and construction plans with this new requirement – further details are in the LV Drop Parameter document.

What do you need to do?

1. Review full details of the above two changes in the LV Drop Parameter document which can be found on Essential Engagement’s Level 3 ASP page under Information and on the Document Library.
2. From 24 August 2020, commence sending the requested information to Essential Energy.
3. 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?

To comply with section 2.12 of CEOP2015, all contestable overhead and underground projects that include easements and/or allocations such as road reserves and nature strips require a surveyor’s letter stating that the network assets gifted to Essential Energy are in the locations indicated on the certified plan/s.

The surveyor’s letter must be submitted on your company letterhead with the project completion document. To assist, an example letter can be found on the Document Library.

What do you need to do?

1. Review the above and ensure these requirements are met.
2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation, customers and proponents.

Further Information

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

Access Form for 3D Design Model

From Monday 3 August 2020 Essential Energy will be making 3D modelling of our overhead network, construction libraries and LiDAR data available.

Registered Level 3A & 3B ASPs who currently have access to the BetterConnect Portal can request access through Power Lines Pro – a third party online platform for power line design.

The access form is available on Essential Engagement under Digital Asset Management. Please email the completed form to aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au by close of business Friday 24 July 2020.

Training

Essential Energy has scheduled a series of online training sessions to help you to better understand this data and Power Lines Pro.

• Module 1 (M1) – Introduction to Powerlines Pro – 2 hours

An overview of Powerlines Pro, what we are offering, and how this will improve design and certification processes. Wednesday, Thursday or Friday 15 to 17 July 2020, from 1.00pm to 3.00pm.

• Module 2 (M2) – LiDAR Data & Network Automodel – 2 hours

How to gain access to the data you need and to Powerlines Pro for designs on Essential Energy’s network. Wednesday, Thursday or Friday 22 to 24 July from 1.00pm to 3.00pm.

• Module 3 (M3) - How to model with LiDAR Data – 2 hours

An optional session that will walk through some examples using Essential Energy’s LiDAR data and construction libraries to create designs. Wednesday, Thursday or Friday 29 to 31 July, from 1.00pm to 3.00pm.

Training sessions are open to all members of your company, however spaces are limited and they will be allocated on a first in, first served basis. We plan to record these sessions to share on Essential Engagement for those unable to attend.

To reserve a spot please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au with the following details:

• Name, Organisation, Job title, Email address and Phone number for each person attending
• Which sessions you have selected (eg. M1 Wednesday 1PM, M2 Tuesday 10AM, M3 Friday 10AM)

Calendar invitations with further instructions on accessing these online sessions will be sent within two business days of receiving your email.

To gain access to Essential Energy’s automodel data:

1. Review and complete the Access form available on essential engagement under digital asset management.
2. Email the completed Access form to aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au by cob 24 July 2020.

To submit your expressions of interest to attending PLP Training:

1. Email your selected session/s to aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au as outlined above.
2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
3. Power Lines Pro has a free trial and support materials available on their Power Lines Pro, If you choose to sign up please use the same email address as your Okta account – we will provide more details during the training.

Further Information

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