What's out now

PDRS Method Guide, battery evidence requirements and amendments guidance updated

We have updated our PDRS Method Guide to: 

• outline interim arrangements for evidencing that battery installations under BESS1 are registered on the DER Register
• clarify that the BESS1 co-payment applies per Battery Energy Storage System/NMI
• clarify that BESS2 demand response contracts do not need to be signed by the Demand Response Aggregator
• clarify that battery systems with a total usable battery capacity of 28 kWh or greater are not eligible under the PDRS Rule, and certificates cannot be created for the first 28 kWh of larger systems (including battery systems comprising multiple batteries that each have a usable battery capacity less than 28 kWh)
• clarify the Purchaser
• include battery fact sheets
• clarify that product details are required as part of implementation data
• add a capacity factor in the WH1 example calculation. 

Be sure to review the updated Method Guide, update your systems and processes and inform installers.

We’ve also updated our Amending Audit and Certificate Creation Limit Conditions Guide to include the SASC and HADR calculation methods under the PDRS.

PDRS documents updated

We have updated these documents to reflect the recent changes to implementation data requirements and battery activities: 

• Audit Scope - ACPs - DSW Submission Form
• Audit Scope - List of Sites
• HADR - Audit Scope - Method specific scope items

We are also updating our PDRS Method Guide to: 

• clarify that the BESS1 co-payment applies per battery system/NMI
• clarify that BESS2 demand response contract does not need to be signed by the Demand Response Aggregator
• clarify that battery systems with a total usable battery capacity of 28 kWh or greater are not eligible under the PDRS Rule, and certificates cannot be created for the first 28 kWh of larger systems (including battery systems comprising multiple batteries that each have a usable battery capacity less than 28 kWh). 

We will publish the updated PDRS Method Guide later this week.

What ACPs and auditors need to do

You must use the new List of Sites (for pre-registration audits only) and the DSW for audits commencing on or after 1 November 2024. You can also use them for audits commencing before 1 November. 

See our PDRS Auditing ACPs webpage for more information. 

You must also use the new HADR Audit Scope for all HADR audits.

New CSV Specification and examples 

We have updated our CSV Technical Specification and examples templates, which ACPs must use when registering certificates from 1 November 2024, regardless of implementation date: 

• Technical Guide – CSV Specification
• ESS Example – CSV Implementation Data
• PDRS Example – CSV Implementation Data

Where the implementation date is on or after 1 November 2024 the following data must be provided as part of implementation data: 

• the National Metering Identifier (NMI) for all PDRS implementations
• installer licence details for whoever performs or supervises any work that requires a licence for all PDRS and all ESS HEER and IHEAB implementations 
• the installer’s Solar Accreditation Australia accreditation number for all PDRS SASC BESS1 (battery installation) implementations. 

What ACPs need to do

Update your documents, systems and processes so you are ready to collect and submit your implementation data consistent with the Technical Specification from 1 November 2024. 

See what you need to collect and submit in our Changes to Implementation Data Requirements email sent out on 6 September 2024. 

See our Uploading Implementation Data to TESSA for more information. 

PDRS Audit scopes updated

We have published new audit scopes for PDRS battery activities commencing on 1 November 2024: 

• SASC Audit Scope 
• Audit Scope – BESS1
• HADR Audit Scope
• Audit Scope – BESS2.

We have also updated the RDUE audit scope and pool pump-specific audit scope for recent changes to implementation data requirements and the PDRS Rule:

• RDUE Audit Scope
• Audit Scope – SYS2

What ACPs need to do

You must use the new audit scopes for any audits commencing on or after 1 November 2024. You can also use them for audits commencing before 1 November 2024. 

See our PDRS Auditing ACPs webpage for more information.  

Battery fact sheets published

We have published fact sheets for the BESS1 and BESS2 PDRS battery activities. 

ACPs undertaking BESS1 and BESS2 activities must give customers a copy of these fact sheets with the quotation. 

See our SASC page and HADR page for details.

2024-25 Compliance Priorities

We have published our compliance priorities for 2024-25.

You can find out more on our 2024-25 compliance priorities webpage.

TESSA Enhancement

We updated TESSA to remove the ‘AS/NZS 2712 Certificate Expiry’ field from the accepted products list.

You can find out more about other enhancements on the TESSA Latest Information webpage.

2022-2023 Safeguard Annual Report published

We have published our first Safeguard annual report to the Minister, covering the 2022 ESS compliance year and 2022-23 PDRS compliance period. 

Find out more on our reporting on scheme administration and performance webpage.

Heat Pump Water Heater Guidance

In collaboration with Building Commission NSW we have published Notice 03/2024 - Heat Pump Water Heater - Scheme Legislative Licence Requirements to help ACPs understand licensing and installation requirements for heat pump water heater activities. We have also published heat pump water heater FAQs on our website.

ACPs undertaking heat pump water heater activities should review the Notice and FAQs to ensure their operations are compliant with the requirements.

New PDRS Rule has commenced – what you need to know

The new PDRS Rule commenced on 13 September 2024. Changes include:

• Multiple batteries are allowed if they meet the definition of a Battery Energy Storage System for BESS1 (installation) and BESS2 (VPP contracts)
• Warranty requirements have been lowered and expanded, making more batteries eligible
• Other minor changes.

We have updated our PDRS Method Guide with requirements that will apply to all implementations from 1 November 2024:

• Licence data for installers needs to be provided when registered certificates in TESSA
• Serial numbers need to be collected for all BESS1 and BESS2 implementations
• You may need to provide information to the Scheme Administrator for any banned equipment.

What we have updated

We have published a new PDRS Quick Reference Guide – September 2024 that will help you understand the changes and how to get ready for them.
We have also updated our: 

• PDRS Method Guide
• Application Form Part B – SASC
• Application Form Part B – HADR
• Application Form Part A – current ACPs  
• SASC Battery Declaration Template

Battery evidence requirements in the PDRS Method Guide have also been updated. Review these changes and make sure you are ready to comply. 

What you need to do 

Review the PDRS Quick Reference Guide – September 2024 to make sure you understand the changes. 

Start collecting NMIs, installer data, battery serial numbers, and battery installer accreditation numbers from 1 November onwards.

Sign up to our PDRS mailing list to stay informed and up-to-date.

We have published our online forum on Understanding the PDRS on our website. We’ve published: 

• Video recording - Understanding the PDRS
• Session Q&As

You can use these resources to get an overall understanding of how the scheme works.

Our RDUE Audit Scopes for ACPs are now updated to reflect the PDRS Rule change which commenced on 1 August 2024. We have updated: 

• RDUE Audit Scope
• Audit scope - WH1
• Audit scope - RF1
• Audit scope - RF2
• Audit scope - SYS1
• Audit scope - SYS2

What you need to do

You will need to use the new audit scopes when you are auditing any RDUE activity with an Implementation Date on or after 1 August 2024. You can also use the new audit scopes for RDUE activities with an Implementation Page before 1 August 2024.

The Product Applications Guide has changed to the 'Applying for Product Acceptance Guide’. The two key updates are detailed below. There were also more general changes to make it more user friendly.

Reporting your product’s LCP/NLP

We now require Lamp Circuit Power (LCP) and Nominal Lamp Power (NLP) values for all lighting products to be reported at 230V in line with Australian Standards. 

Laboratory test reports conducted at 230V must be provided to evidence your product application. We prefer tests using the LM-79 standard.

A transitionary period exists until 31 August 2024. After this date, all applicants must submit tests that comply with these new requirements.

Power factor for emergency lighting

Some emergency lighting can operate at very low wattages. Low wattage emergency lighting (eg exit signs) may not need to meet the minimum power factor requirements and are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Additional minor changes were made as part of the 2024 Rule change and to provide administrative clarifications.

Battery application forms published

Application forms and other guidance for PDRS battery activities BESS1 and BESS2 are now available on our battery applications page. We’ve published:

• updated application for accreditation guide 
• updated application form Part As for new and current ACPs
• application form Part Bs for BESS1 and BESS2 
• updated nomination form and new battery declaration template (for BESS1 activities)
• a new nomination specification (for BESS2 activities).

Businesses interested in becoming accredited can submit applications for battery accreditation in TESSA from 1 August. This video explains the process.

PDRS Method Guide consultation outcomes

We’ve finalised the outcomes of our draft PDRS Method Guide consultation and published our updated PDRS Method Guide, which has been informed by stakeholder feedback. See our Past consultations page for details.

Our PDRS batteries, Store and Shift Capacity and Household Annual Demand Response pages have also been updated.

Register now for our online forum on 18 July to learn how you can become an accredited certificate provider for battery activities. Application for accreditation forms and guidance will be published early next week.

ESS fact sheets updated

We’ve updated fact sheets that ACPs accredited for HEER, IHEAB and Commercial Lighting methods are required to give customers before an upgrade:

• HEER fact sheet
• HEER heat pump water heater fact sheet
• IHEAB heat pump water heater fact sheet
• Commercial Lighting fact sheet.

What you need to do

Update your processes and systems and start providing customers with the new versions of the fact sheets as soon as possible. 

Updated HEER, IHEAB and RDUE templates to be used from 1 August

Under the ESS HEER and IHEAB methods ACPs are required to use the following templates:

• Site Assessor Declaration
• Post-Implementation Declaration
• Site Assessment Report
• Installer Declaration. 

The templates can also be used as evidence for corresponding PDRS RDUE method implementations.

We have updated the templates to reflect Rule changes and make other clarifications. Changes include:  

• updating the Post-Implementation Declaration purchaser declaration 
• for the Installer Declaration, requiring installers of replacement refrigerated cabinets to declare that new equipment is the same Refrigerated Cabinet Product Class as the removed equipment. ACPs are responsible for ensuring their installers are properly trained to identify different product classes and can sign the declaration.

What you need to do

Make sure you update any of your documentation that is based on the above templates. ACPs must use the new versions of the templates from 1 August 2024. You can start using them now if you wish. 

If you have any questions please contact ESS.Compliance@ipart.nsw.gov.au.

Outcomes of consultation - changes to implementation data

We have finalised the outcomes of our consultation on changes to implementation data.  We will be introducing the changes in TESSA on 1 August 2024

Please see past consultations for more details, including the consultation paper, and what we heard document.

We will publish the csv specification file closer to the launch date. 

Outcomes of consultation on operational changes to scheme participant compliance processes

We have finalised the outcomes of our consultation on operational changes to scheme participant compliance processes. Changes will apply from the 2023 ESS and 2023-24 PDRS reporting periods.

Please see our past consultations page for more details including the consultation paper, submissions and What we heard document.

We will publish a package of updated guidance documents to reflect the changes in early June.

New ESS Rule and new PDRS Rule published - what you need to know

A new ESS Rule and a new PDRS Rule have been published

ESS Rule

The new ESS Rule will apply to all implementations that occur on or after 19 June 2024. It affects all activities including pool pump, water heater, and refrigerated cabinet activities.

It also suspends the installation of new refrigerated cabinets. For further information please see our 2024 ESS Rule Change Quick Reference Guide on the ESS Rule changes. We have also updated:

• HEER method guide

• IHEAB method guide

• HEER application form - Part B

• HEER audit scope and IHEAB audit scope

PDRS Rule

The new PDRS Rule will apply to all implementations that occur on or after 1 August 2024. It makes major changes to pool pump, refrigerated cabinet and heat pump water heater activities. It also introduces two new battery-related activities which start on 1 November 2024. 

What you need to do

For ESS changes, review the updated 2024 ESS Rule Change Quick Reference Guide and guidance to make sure you understand the changes. Start preparing to update your processes and systems now so you are ready to comply with changes to the ESS Rule from 19 June 2024.

For changes to existing PDRS activities, review the 2024 PDRS Rule Change Quick Reference Guide to make sure you understand the changes. Start preparing to update your processes and systems now so that you are ready to comply with the changes.

For new battery activities, you can find out more on the Energy NSW website. We will be consulting on our Method Guide and updating our documents and templates soon. We will open applications for accreditation for the new battery activities in the months leading up to 1 November.

Sign up to our PDRS mailing list to stay informed and up-to-date.

May 2024

Update

New approach to setting ACP audit conditions and increasing certificate creation limits starts today

We have updated our approach to setting audit and certificate creation limit conditions and changed the way ACPs apply to amend these conditions. 

We will begin using the new approach for applications to change conditions received from today. Contact us if you would like to discuss an application in process.

To assist ACPs we have:

• published a Guide for amending audit and certificate creation limit conditions

• published a new application form for applying to amend audit and certificate creation limit conditions

• updated our website and Application for Accreditation Guide - ACPs.

These changes were informed by consultation we undertook in March. Thank you to everyone who participated in this consultation process. You can find the outcomes of our consultation here - Past consultations.