1 General Information

1.1 What is the Energy Savings Scheme?

The NSW Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) reduces electricity consumption in NSW by creating financial incentives for organisations to invest in energy savings projects. Energy savings are achieved by installing, improving or replacing energy savings equipment. Some commercial and industrial energy efficiency upgrades are an eligible activity in the ESS. In basic terms, the energy savings from the upgrade being proposed at your premises is determined through energy measurement and modelling before and after the upgrade takes place and is calculated using the PIAM&V equations in clause 7A of the ESS Rule.

1.2 What is an ACP?

Organisations can participate voluntarily in the ESS by becoming an Accredited Certificate Provider (ACP). ACPs implement energy savings projects and create energy savings certificates (ESCs). ACPs sell ESCs, usually to Scheme Participants such as electricity retailers who surrender ESCs to meet their energy savings targets under the ESS. Being able to profit from the sale of ESCs creates the financial incentive for organisations to apply to become an ACP. All ACPs are responsible for their own business operations. ACPs and the energy saving activities they undertake are not funded or subsidized by the NSW Government, or the ESS.

1.3 The Original Energy Saver

The energy savings from an energy savings project belong to the person responsible for paying the electricity bill at the premises where the energy savings activity takes place – we call them the ‘original energy saver’. Participation in the ESS as an original energy saver is voluntary.

1.4 Making a Nomination

Original energy savers can transfer the rights to the energy savings from an energy savings activity such as a lighting upgrade to an ACP – this is called a ‘nomination’. Ordinarily, an ACP will offer to carry out energy savings activities for an original energy saver at reduced cost in return for a nomination. The ACP may then use the energy savings to create and sell ESCs to offset the cost of the activity. If you wish to nominate an ACP as the new energy saver, you will be asked to complete a nomination form and to sign a declaration.

1.5 What benefits does the original energy saver receive?

Original Energy Savers will generally benefit from lower electricity bills due to the reduction in electricity consumption resulting from the upgrade to efficient lighting technology. Original energy savers may also receive additional benefits from ACPs such as free or reduced-price products and/or installations.

2. What to consider if you are offered an energy efficiency upgrade.

Carrying out an energy efficiency upgrade is one-way ACPs can generate energy savings and create ESCs. GET’s PIAM&V project is designed to support all types of eligible energy efficiency projects including but not limited to compressor, chiller, boiler and HVAC upgrades, installation of control systems and automation, lighting upgrades, voltage optimisation and power factor and will draw on the expertise of M&V specialists using measurement and verification to ascertain the energy savings which will then be verified by M&V professionals.

In order to create ESCs from an energy efficiency upgrade, the ACP must collect evidence of the implementation including location of the implementation, details of the energy saving activity, energy consumption on site before and after the implementation, details of past energy savings or alternative energy activities which may affect the calculations of savings on this project and a variety of other documentation to support all the energy saving calculation inputs.  The ACP must confirm that the project is eligible for ESCs. For example: the maintenance of service/production level is also a key requirement, as energy savings cannot be claimed where they result in a reduction output or service levels.

3. Who to contact about your energy efficiency upgrade

If you agree to a proposed energy efficiency upgrade by an ACP, your first point of contact for issues relating to the upgrade should be the ACP, or the ACP’s representative that you are working with. Once the work has been completed, you should ensure that you keep a copy of the nomination form you have signed, as the nomination form lists the contact details of the ACP responsible for your upgrade. If you have not yet signed a nomination form, you should ensure that you have the contact details of the ACP or representative who has provided you with this information sheet.

3.1 Product failure or performance reduction

If a product fails prematurely (before the product lifetime has expired) or reduces in function (e.g. light levels of a lamp drop or the colour changes noticeably, or a product stops working) you should contact the ACP to give them the opportunity to resolve the issue. If it is still not resolved, you should contact the Consumer, Trader & Tenancy – Consumer Claims division of NSW Fair Trading on 1300 135 399 or visit www.cttt.nsw.gov.au for further information.

3.2 Your rights as a consumer

The NSW Energy Savings Scheme accredits ACPs to undertake energy savings activities under the Scheme. However, the Scheme does not certify or provide verification of the ACP’s professional standards or in any way provide assurance over the quality or appropriateness of the lighting products installed by the ACP. As a consumer, you should take all due care to ensure that the products being installed in your premises are appropriate to your needs. For more information on your rights as a consumer, please contact the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) on 1300 302 502 or visit www.accc.gov.au.

4. Further information about the ESS

For more information about the ESS, please refer to the ESS website at: www.ess.nsw.gov.au/Home

Questions regarding scheme compliance can be forwarded to: ess_compliance@ipart.nsw.gov.au

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