Level 3 ASPs
Level 3 ASPs design overhead and/or underground distribution and Sub-Transmission network assets. If you need further information or support, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.
Important Document Links:
Contestable Design Team
Northern Region – Drew Bugden P: 07 5506 3838 (Graham Foxwell, Dan Sherwin, Craig McElroy, Cleveland Maltman, David Smith, Steve Cuningham, Martin Tanner)
Central Region – Michael Wilson M: 0488 175 560 (Paul Turley, Cameron Woo, Jason Boundy, Jeena Joseph)
Southern Region – Tom Bollard M: 02 6589 8496 (Micheal Parris, Chris Gorham, Jeremy Bryce, Wayne Armour, Luke Horton)
Complex TeamContinue reading
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Ring Fencing – Provider of Last Resort
Ring Fencing – Provider of Last ResortRing-fencing regulations were introduced on 1 January 2018 to support the creation of a level playing field for providers of contestable services in new and existing NSW markets.Essential Energy is only able to provide contestable services in limited circumstances:- In regionally exempt depots; or
- Where acting as a provider of last resort
If a customer is unable to obtain the services of a third party, they may request that Essential Energy undertake the work as a Provider of Last Resort.For more information relating to Ring Fencing – Provider of Last Resort please download the Q & A’s located on our Document Library.What do you need to do?- Review & download the Provider of Last Resort Q & A’s located on Essential Energy’s Document Library
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation
Further InformationIf 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.
Bill of Materials & Construction Drawing Requirements
CEOF6709 – Bill of Materials (BoM) – Update on implementation.
Essential Energy recently introduced a Bill of Materials (BoM) as a requirement of the contestable works design certification process. The aim of the new requirement is to improve the process for our Level 3 ASP partners and customers by capturing data required for Gifted Assets valuation in a consolidated format. This will streamline and simplify the valuation process, saving time and cost.
However, the feedback we’ve since received from our ASP stakeholders clearly indicates that the full extent of the BOM’s impacts on ASPs and customers was not well understood prior to the initial roll out.In line with our commitment made earlier this year in our Contestable Works co-design sessions, we have taken this feedback on board and have placed implementation of the Bill of Materials requirement on hold pending further consultation.Further updates and advice will be provided as we progress a review of the requirement.CEOM7001 – Construction Drawing RequirementsReview of CEOM7001 is now complete and a new version of the manual is available in Essential Energy’s document library. The manual has been updated to align with current process and internal mains design, including some revisions that will allow us to identify existing and new infrastructure or conductors and cables more easily.Additional drawing examples are being developed that align to internal Network Design drawing sheets and are suitable for integration to the Small World GIS System.We’ve received several questions regarding the process and timeframe for transitioning from the previous requirement. We understand from the feedback received that our ASP designers need time to introduce the drawing changes into their design and certification submission processes.Therefore, any designs submitted before 13 August 2018 that comply with construction drawing requirements described in the previous version of CEOM7001 will be accepted and assessed for certification.We expect all designs submitted from 13 August 2018 will align to the requirements described in the revised CEOM7001.
What do you need to do?- Review & download the latest version of CEOM7001 located on Essential Energy’s Document Library
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation
Further InformationIf you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Process Improvements June 2018
Design Information Package (DIP) Validity Period
In response to feedback we’ve received from ASPs that validity of a Design Information Package (DIP) for four months is not long enough and does not align with provisions by other DNSPs, Essential Energy has extended the timeframe.
Commencing immediately, all DIPs issued will be valid for a period of 180 days.
All current DIP’s which have been issued and have not yet expired will also now be valid for a total of 180 days.
CEOM7001 - Asset Management and Engineering: Network Mains Design - Construction Drawing Requirements
Revision of our Construction Drawing manual has been finalised and the updated version has been published for external release. Thank you for your patience during the revision process.
Please note that the document now incorporates a comprehensive drawing checklist under section 7 ‘Detail Overview Required for Construction Plans’, which should be utilised when reviewing construction plans prior to submission to Contestable Works.
CEOF6708 - Asset Label Request Form
In response to feedback we’ve received from ASPs that asset label issuing often takes longer than expected (potentially delaying design certification submission, as they are often the final component required to complete a design), we have changed our issuing process.
Asset labels can now be requested via a newly created Operational Form - CEOF6708. This will shorten the issuing timeframe.
CEOF6709 - Contestable Works - Bill of Materials (BOM)
As per clause 5.5.18 of CEOP2015 - General Terms and Conditions for Contestable Works, a Bill of Materials (BOM) is required to be submitted as part of the design certification submission package.
A new Operational Form - CEOF6709 has been created for listing the construction items required for the project and reflect the assets on the construction plan. The BOM should only contain items which are listed within Essential Energy’s manual CEOM7004 - Construction Materials Inventory: Standard Contestable (Approved) Materials List (AML).
Please note that from 1 August 2018, the BOM will be formally required with each Design Submission.
What do you need to do?
- Review & download the latest version of these documents located on Essential Energy’s Document Library
- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation
Further Information
If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
IPART Reviews of the NSW Energy Market
IMPORTANT: Commencement of IPART Reviews of the NSW Energy MarketBelow are two reviews that Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) have been asked to be undertaking by the NSW Minister of Energy:IPART has commenced its annual review of the performance and competitiveness of the retail electricity and gas markets in NSW for the most recent financial year.The report on 2017-18 period will be their fourth annual monitoring report on the retail electricity market and the first reviewing competition in the retail gas market since gas prices were deregulated on 1 July 2017.As part of this review, the NSW Minister for Energy and Utilities has also asked to report on:- electricity and gas price movements from July 2018, and whether any such changes reflect efficient costs in a competitive market, and
- whether retailers are delivering acceptable levels of customer communication and service in their delivery of metering services
As part of the annual review of the performance and competitiveness of the retail electricity and gas markets in NSW, IPART have been asked to review NSW electricity retailers’ metering practices, and report on whether retailers are delivering acceptable levels of customer service and communication.What do you need to do?- Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.
- Participate in these reviews by click on the links and having your say on the above topics.
Further InformationIf 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.
AER Price Increase 1 July 2018
IMPORTANT INFORMATIONFrom 1 July 2014, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) introduced new regulatory charges for Ancillary Network Services and Metering Services. As an Accredited Service Provider (ASP), Authorised Person (AUP) or Electrical Contractor (EC), you would be aware of the current Ancillary Network Services and Metering Services charges applicable to services you provide to your customers.The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has approved the new regulatory charges for Essential Energy’s Ancillary Network Services and Metering Services to be implemented from 1 July 2018.You can read more about Essential Energy’s pricing for Ancillary Network Services and Metering Services on our website at: Essential Energy > Our Network > Network Pricing and Regulatory report > Network PricingWhat do you need to do?- Review the 2018 ‘Approved’ Pricing Schedules for Ancillary Network Services and Metering Services available on the Essential Energy website
- Accredited Service Providers, Authorised Persons and Electrical Contractors should consider pricing changes when preparing quotations for customers regarding future work
- Ensure you communicate this information to your customers and employees
For further informationIf you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
ASP Co-Design Workshop May 2018
I would like to take the opportunity to thank those ASPs for their participation and attending the workshops in May 2018.The methodology we used to deliver these workshops recognises that for us to get different results, we need to apply a different approach. While each workshop dealt with a specific issue or problem, both workshops shared objectives that focused not only on the problems we need to solve, but how we solve problems, for example:- Embedding a new, collaborative approach to problem solving, recognising that the best solution is one that considers and reconciles the needs of everyone in the process – particularly the end customer
- Prioritising progress over perfection – incremental improvement
- Strengthening our relationship by getting to know each other and putting faces to names
We have collected a lot of useful insights and ideas from the workshops that will feed into our next phase of work. Located on Essential Energy’s Document Library the ASP Co Design Workshops Playback document provides an overview of the workshops and a summary of the outputs.To keep the document as concise as possible we have not played back every piece of feedback, however all feedback has been captured.What have we done since?Since the workshops we have ran internal sessions to take two ideas from the Co-Design workshops and progress them into a working prototype that can be tested and deployed.- Design Certification - Application Form
- Improving the clarity and usability of the form
- Assurance – Inspections Matrix
- Creating a simple, clear and risk-based methodology for inspecting works
These prototypes are in development with the intention to test and deploy these as soon as possible.Next StepsWe are out for tender for a partner to help us manage the prioritisation plan of attack, this will slow the process for a short period however we are still working on things that have been identified.We have a long list of issues that we need to work through over the coming weeks, months and years, this will be a significant change program for the Commercial Services Branch. In addition to short term “Quick Win” changes, we are focused on developing a detailed work plan and procuring support to help us deliver this next phase effectively.I will keep you informed on progress and opportunities to be involved as we firm up the plan, this will take some time. In the meantime, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.RegardsDavid WilsonNetwork ASP ManagerT: 02 6589 8190 -
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Design & Certification Projected Timeframes
IMPORTANT: DELAYS IN ISSUING DESIGN INFORMATION PACKAGES & DESIGN CERTIFICATIONS
A significantly higher than normal volume of requests – generally associated with an increase in high voltage and solar connection applications – is currently contributing to a delay in Essential Energy issuing Design Information Packages & Design Certifications.
Design Information Packages
Will be issued at minimum of 4 weeks from the date we receive a completed CEOF6010 - Contestable Work: Design Information Application.
Design Certification
Certification for design submission packages will be issued at minimum of 4 weeks from the date we receive a completed CEOF6011 - Contestable Work: Design Submission.
LV Connection Offers
Due to the changes which have occurred as a result from Power of Choice (PoC), the requirement for an approved LV Connection Offer will still be waived when submitting a CEOF6010 - Contestable Work: Design Information Application.
What is Essential Energy doing to reduce the delay?
We are processing requests as quickly as possible.
The low voltage connection offer backlog has now been reduced to a suitable level and has remained steady for several months.
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
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Marchment Hill (MHC) ASP Survey Results
I’d like to share with you all the results of the ASP Survey Essential Energy conducted a few weeks ago – located on the Essential Energy's Document Library.
Thank you to all those who contributed their time to share your feedback and ideas.
This survey (and other diagnostic analysis performed by Marchment Hill) has further highlighted the many areas for improvement in how we work together with you, our ASP partners. We recognise that we have lots to do to say Essential Energy is “easy to do business with” – we will be taking action.
We are now developing these actions. Some of these will involve sessions with our ASP partners so you can help us design our future way of working. I look forward to sharing more information about these
sessions with you in the coming weeks. If you would like to speak to me about this report, our next steps or any other matters please contact me via email or phone listed below.Regards
David Wilson
Network ASP Manager
T: 02 6589 8190
E: david.wilson@essentialenergy.com.au
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Introduction from David Wilson
I’m writing to introduce myself as Essential Energy’s newly appointed Network ASP Manager.
Having spent most of my career working for other distribution businesses, it’s immediately clear that there is a lot we can do to improve how Essential Energy works with Accredited Service Providers (ASP). I’ve made it my first priority to understand where we can improve and I will be working closely with the executive team to make sure we service our ASP community better.
Essential Energy’s corporate values say that we should be ‘Easy to do business with’. I aim to make sure we deliver on this promise and will make it my priority, as a first step, to ensure better communications and feedback channels so that we can identify and rapidly respond to issues and challenges together.
Thank you for your continued patience and support as we work through this process. For those who have been in touch already to highlight how and where we can improve our service to ASPs, please use me as your central point of contact for all ASP related matters.
In the coming weeks and months, I’ll be out and about in the regions to meet as many ASPs as possible and listen directly to your feedback. So, thanks again for your patience and assistance and I look forward to meeting soon.
Regards
David Wilson
Network ASP Manager
T: 02 6589 8190
E: david.wilson@essentialenergy.com.au
Who's Listening
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Phone 02 6933 5956 Email hamish.wheatley@essentialenergy.com.au
Digital Asset Management
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Neara General Information
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Neara Training Resources
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Neara Training Module 1 - Introduction and Overview
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Neara Training Module 5 Underground Design
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Neara Refresher Sessions – November 2021.
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Neara Refresher Sessions – March 2023
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Using Neara - Session 1 for ASPs - Introduction and Navigation (1). (5.52 MB) (pdf)
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How to Video: Introduction to Neara
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Using Neara - Session 2 for ASPs - OH Design - March 2023 (1). (2.23 MB) (pdf)
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How to Video: Overhead Design
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Using Neara - Session 3 for ASPs - UG Design - March 2023. (2.21 MB) (pdf)
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How to Video: Underground Design
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Using Neara - Session 4 for ASPs - Automated Reports and Checks - March 2023 (1). (1.87 MB) (pdf)
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How to Video: Automated Reports and Checks
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Automated Overhead Construction and Conductor Schedules