AusNet
Mobile search
Search
Large complex connections
This page is for you if you are an Installer, Solar Retailer or Registered Electrical Contractor (REC) and you are designing a system that is over 30kW and up to 1.5 MW. Installations of this size require a detailed technical assessment.
These are typically commercial or industrial systems that may require changes to the network to accommodate them. All of these systems will require Central Protection (refer to SOP 11-16).
The total administration fee for these projects is $2,200.25 (excl. GST) for systems up to 200kW and $7,600.25 (excl. GST) for systems greater than 200kW and up to 1.5MW. There may be additional fees if grid augmentation is required (such as us having to install extra poles and wires).
With large installations like this you will be responsible for undertaking specialised commissioning tests (SOP 33-07 & SOP 33-08) to demonstrate compliance with our requirements.
Timelines and process
Up to 65 days
Due - 90 days after final approval
Approx - 20 days.
-
1. Design system and apply for pre-approval
Our process
You will need pre-approval from us before you can start the installation.
Step 1. Submit your pre-approval application via email.
Step 2. We will then send you an invoice.
Step 3. Once the invoice is paid our technical assessors will evaluate your application for pre-approval.Our requirements
Your proposed installation must comply with the requirements in the following documents:
- Protection Requirements of Embedded Generators (LV + HV up to 22kV) - SOP 11-16
- Central Protection Commissioning Test Report - SOP 33-07
- Power Quality Compliance Requirements - SOP 33-08
- Single Line Diagram Requirements
To apply, send us:
- Completed Embedded Generator and Battery Storage Pre-Approval Form
- Single Line Diagram (SLD), that incorporates central protection relay and describes the proposed installation. Must be in electronic format.
- Invoice payment (this must be paid before technical assessment can commence)
Costs
Pre-approval application fees:
$200.25 (excl. GST)Time frame
Up to 20 business days - for us to raise the invoice.
-
2. Receive pre-approval and apply for approval
Our process
Our technical assessors will evaluate your application. During this time they are doing the following:
- Assessing if your SLD diagram is clear and is consistent with your Pre-Approval form
- Checking your pre-approval application form for completeness
- Assessing the effects of your proposed installation on the Network
If your application is successful, we will email you with an initial Pre-approval and a Technical Schedule for you to fill in. Alternatively we will contact you with options for getting your system approved. For example, reduce the system size, limit the power exported from the installation or strengthen the network (such as a bigger transformer or extra poles and wires).
Our requirements
To proceed with your application, you must send us:
- A completed technical schedule
- Your ‘For Construction’ single line diagram
- Payment of the project fee .
Costs
$2,000 (excl. GST) for systems up to 200kW
$7,400 (excl. GST) for systems greater than 200kW and up to 1.5MW
Time frame
65 business days - For initial pre-approval.
-
3. Final approval granted
Our process
Upon receipt of your completed technical schedule, the 'For Construction' single line diagram and payment of the project fee, a final assessment will be completed by our technical assessors. If everything meets our requirements, you will receive an approval letter from us, this will include your site specific Connection Agreement.
During this time our technical assessors are doing the following:- Final check on all documentation to be included in the connection agreement
- Preparing of the connection agreement
- Assessing the effects of your proposed installation on our network
Costs
If we need to strengthen the network to approve of the system (such as a bigger transformer or extra poles and wires), we will let you know the costs for this.
Time frame
10 business days - Approximate time we need to accept your application for approval.
-
4. Install system
Our process
You may install the system after you have been given final approval by one of our technical assessors.
In order to undertake the commissioning tests, we will allow the temporary connection of the system. To do this you must submit a commission test program. Temporary connection cannot occur until the commission test program has been approved by us.
Our requirements
The final connection of the system is subject to all of the following:
- Execution of the Connection Agreement
- Our approval of the commission test program
- We must be notified a minimum of 10 business days prior to the commission test date to enable us to witness the commission testing
- The electrical installation must have passed the prescribed inspection and have a valid Certificate of Electrical Safety (CES)
- The electrical installation must successfully pass the agreed commission test program and a copy of the commissioning test report, including the CES, must be provided to us.
If you need to change the system you’ve been given approval for, you may need to reapply. Please discuss your intended changes with our Technical Assessor.Costs
There are no costs for this part of the process.
-
5. Submit paperwork
Our process
Before we can allow your customer to legally generate their own energy, you'll need to send the paperwork to us and your customer's retailer for final approval.
Our requirements
Send the following documents directly to your Technical Assessor or to preapprovals@ausnetservices.com.au:
- Site Specific Embedded generator Connection Agreement - signed by your customer.
- Completed Certificate of Electrical Safety (CES) - filled in by an electrical inspector
- Commissioning test results
Send the following documents to your customers retailer, so that we can upgrade the meter:
- Electronic Work Request (EWR)
- Certificate of electrical safety (CES)
Costs
There are no costs for this part of the process.
Time frame
90 days - For you to install and submit the final paperwork before your pre-approval expires.
-
6. Meter reconfigured - ready to switch on
Our process
We will confirm that all the paperwork matches up to the Connection Agreement and store this information. Your customer's Metering Provider (this may or may not be us) will receive the Electronic Works Request (EWR) from your customers’ retailer. Their meter will then be reconfigured to record feed-in and their tariff will potentially change.
Your customer may now switch on the system and begin generating their own energy.
Our requirements
Your customer's energy retailer must request these metering changes from us (or their Metering Provider) before we can proceed.
There can only be one meter at each location. If there are more we will need to consolidate them - this requires a technician to visit the premises (truck visit).
If the premises does not have a smart meter, a manual reconfiguration will need to take place with a truck visit.
Costs
If we are the Metering provider: Your customer will be billed via their retailer:
$28.65 - Electronic Meter reconfiguration$335.00 - Truck visit (if applicable)
Time frame
If we are the Metering provider: 10 business days - For us to approve the final installation and reconfigure the meter, after we receive it from the retailer.