Electrical Partners Alert

Customers continue to throw their support behind dynamic connections. Over 1500 customers to date have opted for a dynamic connection for embedded generation installations like rooftop solar.

Dynamic connections for embedded generation are a connection option that can help your customers export more solar and potentially install a larger combined solar and battery system, particularly in areas of the network where a high amount of solar is already connected.

Installers can find detailed information on dynamic connections here. We have made explaining what a dynamic connection is to your customers easy, with our Dynamic Connections factsheet and our handy new animation.

To enable a dynamic connection, an inverter or gateway device registered with our utility server is required. We now have 12 compliant providers to choose from.

We have partnered with the Clean Energy Council to develop an online training course for installers to understand how to implement a dynamic connection. The course, Queensland Dynamic Connections, outlines how a Dynamic Connection works including:

• The benefits for customers
• How to apply for a Dynamic Connection
• How to install and commission Dynamic Connections for embedded generation systems (up to 30kVA) in Queensland

The course is eligible for Continuing Professional Development (30 points) under Solar Accreditation Australia’s CPD training (course code CPD037).

To access this course, log into the Clean Energy Council’s LearnLab.

We are currently seeking feedback on proposed changes to Ergon Energy Network and Energex Standards for the connection of solar, batteries and other embedded generation to our distribution networks.

We are committed to consulting with the solar industry on changes that affect you and welcome your feedback. The proposed release of the latest versions of the connection standards will align with the implementation of the AS/NZS4777 series effective from 23^rd February 2024.

To review a draft copy of the standards please visit our Talking Energy website and follow the instruction to provide feedback by COB Friday 14^th February 2025.

We are proposing the following high-level changes to the Standards:

• STNW1170 Version 10
  • Changes to the requirement for Interface Protection
  • Phase balance requirements updated
  • New sections added for Generation Limit and Inverter Power Sharing Device
  • Clarified EV and EVSE capable of reverse power flow requirements
  • Terminology alignment

• STNW1174 Version 7
  • Changes to the requirement for Interface Protection
  • Phase balance requirements updated
  • New sections added for Generation Limit and Inverter Power Sharing Device
  • Clarified EV and EVSE capable of reverse power flow requirements
  • Terminology alignment

• STNW1175 Version 5
  • Changes to the requirement for Interface Protection
  • Updated cybersecurity requirements aligning to Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 (Cth)
  • RS232 Based Serial connection accepted as an alternative SCADA communication link
  • Terminology alignment

• STNW3510 Version 3
  • Changes to the requirement for Interface Protection
  • Phase balance requirements updated
  • New sections added for Generation Limit and Inverter Power Sharing Device
  • Clarified EV and EVSE capable of reverse power flow requirements
  • Terminology alignment

• STNW3511 Version 3
  • Changes to the requirement for Interface Protection
  • Phase balance requirements updated
  • New sections added for Generation Limit and Inverter Power Sharing Device
  • Clarified EV and EVSE capable of reverse power flow requirements
  • Terminology alignment

A webinar will be held to discuss the changes and feedback received with our Standards team.

Click the link below to register:

9:00am – 10:00am – Thursday 6 February 2025

If you are unable to attend this session it will be recorded and available on our Talking Energy website for review.

Be sure to submit your feedback and if you have any questions, please contact us at standardsfeedback@energyq.com.au

Please note: Electrical contractors must not work on or in any S.E.A.Q. type concrete pillars. i.e. no installation or replacement of Consumers Mains.

All work on S.E.A.Q. type concrete electrical pillars is required to be carried out while the pillar is de-energised.

Below you will find an example of S.E.A.Q type concrete pillars:

Last year the Clean Energy Regulator introduced new solar installer accreditation requirements, and as part of the changes, accreditation changed over from the Clean Energy Council (CEC) to Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA).

We will be transitioning our electrical contractors’ portal to a new solution suitable for SAA numbering shortly. While we further outwork options, the following steps can be taken to submit a solar installation application:

• Where you now have a SAA number and you are prompted to submit your ‘Clean Energy Council Accreditation Number’, click on ‘Manually enter non-CEC accredited installer’.

• Complete the following fields:
  • Installer name
  • Mobile number
  • Other contact number (where relevant)
  • Email

For more information on requirements to transfer to SAA please see their website or the Clean Energy Regulator’s website.

With the holiday and the storm season now upon us, we are all working hard to wrap things up for 2024.

We wanted to reach out to let you know, the release of the draft DNSP standards update for AS/NZS 4777.11:2024 has been rescheduled now to January 2025.

Consultation webinars will follow the release of the draft standards – so watch this space!

If you have any questions, please contact standardsfeedback@energyq.com.au.

Best wishes for a happy and safe holiday season.

Our staff are encountering site installations with unsealed metering isolation links. Please note that the breaking of these seals is permitted to provide a safe method of isolation. However, it is the responsibility and duty of care of the Electrical Contractor to ensure that the site is left safe electrically.

Access to live parts without the use of a tool is considered a Dangerous Electrical Event (DEE) in the Electrical Safety Act 2002. The correct process is to raise an EWR for Reseal Metering Isolation links via our Electrical Partners Portal.

We have introduced a new guideline to assist you with our private property pole inspection program. This guideline sets out the process for inspection requirements for inspecting wood, metal and concrete poles, evidence to be provided by the electrical contractor and defect management.

To access the guideline, use the links below:

• Ergon Energy Network
• Energex

For technical support and further information regarding the application of this guideline, please contact our team through the QECM query call back request form:

• Ergon Energy Network
• Energex

Or contact us through the Electrical Contractors Hotline on:

• Ergon Energy Network 1800 237 466
• Energex 1300 762 397

If a customer has an older style of electromechanical meter (pictured below left) you are required to leave the Alternating Current (AC) Isolator off until a suitable electronic type of meter is installed.

If a customer already has an electronic type of meter (pictured above right) that is suitable for the connection of Embedded Generation (EG) units, you can turn the AC Isolator on.

In either case, you will need to lodge an Electrical Work Request (EWR) in accordance with the connection contract which confirms the work has been completed as per AS/NZS 3000 and AS/NZS 4777.

If you are unsure of the metering at the customer's premise, this can be confirmed by the customer's Retailer or Metering Provider.

Turning the AC Isolator on, whilst an electromechanical meter is still being used will have consequences for the customer’s billing and result in the customer usage being estimated based on previous history instead of actual reads.

We continue to see Embedded Generation (EG) systems installed and, in some instances, connected to the Energex and Ergon Energy (DNSP’s) distribution networks without the prior approval of the relevant DNSP.

Under the Electricity Regulation 2006 (QLD) a customer must not install generating plant without the DNSP’s agreement. This agreement is contained in the Connection Contract, which can be obtained by submitting a connection application (NB the Connection Contract is to be accepted before the generating plant is installed).

This is also consistent with the requirements set out in clause 8.15.2.2(a) (Parallel connection of EG system with distribution system of the Queensland Electricity Connection Manual (QECM) V4).

Failure to comply with this requirement may result in a penalty/fine under the Electricity Regulation 2006 (QLD).

For connections with an aggregate system capacity greater than 30 kVA, please be aware the Site-Specific Enquiry Response (SSER) is not a Connection Contract, and a connection application must be submitted in order for our team to provide a Connection Contract.

To obtain a copy of our standards, please visit the relevant websites:

• Ergon Energy Network
• Energex

For further enquiries, please contact our team at:

• Ergon Energy Network ergongeneration@energyq.com.au
• Energex energexgeneration@energyq.com.au

If you have a question about a Queensland Electricity Connection Manual (QECM) clause, we have a handy online form for your question.

You can attach files to the form, including photos, diagrams and even a site plan to help our team understand your question. Our team are on hand to return your call and if you need an email reply just let us know. The online form can be found at:

• Ergon Energy Network
• Energex

We continue to experience high volumes of cancellation requests for Negotiated Connection Applications once the application fee is applied and the invoice raised.

When submitting your low voltage (LV) generation application, please ensure you understand the type of connection you are applying for, the relevant process and your customer has agreed to the application fee.

As an applicant, you have an obligation to ensure the information supplied in the application is accurate and representative of the system you intend to install or modify.

To learn more about our standards, process, and application fees, please visit the relevant websites:

• Ergon Energy Network
• Energex

For further enquiries, please contact our team at:

• Ergon Energy Network ergongeneration@energyq.com.au
• Energex energexgeneration@energyq.com.au

We are excited to be holding our 2024 Energy Academy information sessions next week where you will have the opportunity to hear directly from Ergon Energy Network and Energex about key issues and updates that may impact your business and customers.

By attending a session, you will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide your feedback via the online chat with our subject matter experts on:

• Contacting Ergon Network and Energex: Portal Help, EWR Selections and Reconnecting after storm damage
• Top 3 Reasons for Electricity Defect Reports
• Electrical Partners Portal – Upgrade & New Look & Feel
• Renewables and Distributed Energy including Updating DNSP Standards for AS/NZS 4777.1:2024
• Mains Connection Box Replacement or Maintenance
• Connections

Join us online through Microsoft Teams. We have two session times for you to select from. Click the links below to register:

8:00am – 9:30am - Tuesday 26 November 2024

3:00pm – 4:30pm - Thursday 28 November 2024

For any enquiries, please contact our team at: customeradvocacy@energyq.com.au