Installers wishing to participate in the New South Wales Energy Saver Scheme (ESS) or Victoria’s Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) will need to become accredited.
Find out how an installer or a retailer can get accreditation to generate certificates for the installation of batteries, heat pumps, solar hot water systems, air conditioning, induction cooktops, and more.
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New South Wales (NSW) Energy Saver Scheme installer accreditation
To become an accredited certificate provider (ACP) for the NSW Energy Saver Scheme, an installer needs to follow these steps:
- Understand the requirements: Familiarise yourself with the eligibility criteria and obligations of an ACP. This includes understanding the types of activities that qualify and the calculation methods used to create energy savings certificates (ESCs) or peak reduction certificates (PRCs).
- Check eligibility: Ensure that your business or project meets the necessary requirements and that the activities you wish to undertake are eligible under the scheme.
- Prepare documentation: Gather all necessary documentation, including business processes, systems, and records that demonstrate your ability to meet the scheme’s requirements.
- Submit an application: There are a number of organisations that provide accreditation. Energy Matters recommends the following ACP accreditors:
- Meet administrative obligations: Be prepared to meet the administrative costs and obligations associated with being an ACP, including audit costs and maintaining high standards of record-keeping.
- Compliance and audits: Once accredited, comply with ongoing requirements, including independent audits and regular reporting to the accreditation body.
- Register ESCs: Learn how to register ESCs and PRCs and manage your participation in the scheme.
What are Energy Saving Certificates (ESCs)?
ESCs are tradeable certificates created under the NSW ESS. Each ESC represents one notional megawatt-hour (MWh) of energy saved through energy efficiency projects. ACPs generate these certificates by implementing energy-saving measures in households and businesses. Scheme Participants, such as electricity companies, are required to acquire and surrender ESCs to meet their energy-saving targets. If they fail to do so, they must pay a penalty. ESCs can also be purchased voluntarily by organisations or individuals looking to offset their energy use.
Here are some products that allow the generation of Energy Saving Certificates (ESCs):
LED lighting: High-efficiency lighting systems for residential and commercial use.
Battery storage systems: Battery backup systems that store electricity for later use.
Energy-efficient air conditioners: Inverter technology air conditioners that reduce energy consumption.
Heat pumps: Efficient solutions for water heating and indoor climate control.
Building insulation: Materials and systems that improve energy retention and reduce heating and cooling costs.
Smart thermostats: Devices that optimise heating and cooling schedules to save energy.
Energy-efficient refrigeration: Appliances that use less energy while maintaining performance.
Solar water heaters: Systems that use solar energy to heat water, reducing electricity usage.
High-efficiency pool pumps: Pumps designed to use less energy while maintaining pool circulation.
Advanced lighting controls: Systems like dimmers and motion sensors to reduce unnecessary lighting.
Demand response systems: Technologies that help manage electricity usage during peak demand periods.
These products contribute to energy savings and can generate ESCs under the NSW Energy Savings Scheme.
What are Peak Reduction Certificates (PRCs)?
PRCs are tradable certificates under the NSW Government’s Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS). Each PRC represents 0.1 kilowatts of peak demand reduction capacity averaged over one hour during the peak summer period (2:30 pm to 8:30 pm AEDT from November to March). ACPs create PRCs by implementing activities that reduce electricity use during these peak demand times. These certificates can be sold to energy retailers to help them meet their obligations under the scheme, or to other parties interested in reducing peak demand
Here are the products that allow the generation of Peak Reduction Certificates (PRCs):
Tesla Powerwall 2
Tesla Powerwall 3
Virtual Power Plants (VPPs)
Energy-efficient air conditioners
Smart thermostats
High-efficiency pool pumps
Advanced lighting controls
Demand response systems
Commercial battery storage systems
Energy management systems (EMS)
These products and systems help reduce peak electricity demand during high-usage periods, thereby enabling the generation of PRCs
How are ESCs and PRCs different to Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs)?
ESCs and STCs are both tradable certificates, but they serve different purposes and are generated under different schemes:
- ESCs: Generated under the NSW ESS, ESCs represent one notional megawatt-hour (MWh) of energy saved through energy efficiency projects. They are created by ACPs who implement energy-saving measures in households and businesses. Scheme participants, such as electricity companies, must acquire and surrender ESCs to meet their energy-saving targets.
- PRCs: Generated under the NSW PDRS. Each PRC represents 0.1 kilowatts of peak demand reduction capacity averaged over one hour during the peak summer period (2:30 pm to 8:30 pm AEDT from November to March). PRCs are created by accredited certificate providers (ACPs) who implement activities that reduce electricity use during peak demand times. These certificates help energy retailers meet their obligations to reduce peak demand and can also be sold to other parties interested in managing peak electricity usage.
- STCs: Generated under the federal government’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), STCs are created for small-scale renewable energy systems, such as rooftop solar panels, with a capacity of less than 100 kW. Each STC represents one megawatt hour of eligible renewable electricity generated. STCs provide an upfront incentive for installing renewable energy systems and can be sold to offset the cost of installation.
In summary, ESCs focus on energy savings through efficiency measures, PRCs aim to reduce peak electricity demand during high-usage periods, and STCs incentivise the installation of small-scale renewable energy systems. Heat pumps and solar hot water systems are eligible for both.
Victoria (VIC) Victoria Energy Upgrades installer accreditation
To become accredited for the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program in Victoria, an installer needs to follow these steps:
Open a VEU account: Create an account on the VEU administrative portal.
Complete the accreditation application: Fill out the accreditation application form and gather all necessary supporting documentation.
Submit the application: Submit the completed application and documentation through the VEU administrative portal.
Pay the accreditation fee: Pay the required $3000 accreditation fee once invoiced.
Pass the fit and proper test: Ensure you meet the criteria to be considered fit and proper to participate in the VEU program.
Pass the competent and capable test: Demonstrate your competence and capability to carry out the approved activities.
Annual renewal: Renew your accreditation annually, submitting the renewal application at least 90 calendar days before the expiry date.
Alternatively, contact an accreditation body that will provide you with the accreditation, generate the certificates for you, and give you access to additional support. Energy Matters recommends Ecovantage → in VIC.
Once accredited, you can create Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs) for approved activities under the VEU program
What are Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs)?
VEECs are electronic certificates created under the VEU program. Each VEEC represents one tonne of greenhouse gas emissions reduction (CO2-e). Accredited persons, such as installers, create VEECs by undertaking specified energy-efficient activities in residential or non-residential premises. These certificates are then purchased by energy retailers to meet their annual energy-saving targets set by Victorian legislation. The program aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and encourage investment in energy-efficient products and services.
ere are some of the products eligible for Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs) under the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program:
Residential Products:
Electric boosted solar or Heat pump water heaters (replacing electric resistance water heaters)
High-efficiency air conditioners
Underfloor insulation
Window replacement or retrofit
Weather sealing
Water efficient shower roses (replacing water inefficient shower roses)
High-efficiency refrigerators or freezers
High-efficiency televisions
Energy-efficient clothes dryers
High-Efficiency pool pumps
Non-Residential Products:
Installing electric boosted solar or heat pump water heaters (replacing gas or LPG water heaters)
Upgrading gas heating ductwork
Installing high-efficiency motors
Installing high-efficiency refrigerated display cabinets
Upgrading public lighting
Installing efficient pre-rinse spray valves
Installing energy-efficient gas-fired steam boilers (replacing inefficient gas-fired steam boilers)
Installing energy-efficient gas-fired water boilers or heaters (replacing inefficient gas-fired water boilers or heaters)
Installing gas-fired burners into a boiler
These are just a few examples, and there are many more products and activities that can earn VEECs
How are VEECs different to Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs)?
VEECs and STCs are both types of tradable certificates aimed at promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy, but they differ in their focus and the schemes under which they are generated:
- VEECs: Generated under the VEU program in Victoria, Australia. Each VEEC represents one tonne of greenhouse gas emissions reduction (CO2-e) achieved through specified energy-efficient activities. Accredited persons create VEECs by implementing energy-saving measures in residential or non-residential premises. Energy retailers purchase VEECs to meet their annual energy-saving targets set by Victorian legislation. VEECs focus on energy efficiency improvements.
- STCs: Generated under the federal government’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) across Australia. Each STC represents one megawatt-hour (MWh) of eligible renewable electricity generated or displaced by an accredited small-scale renewable energy system, such as rooftop solar panels, with a capacity of less than 100 kW. STCs provide an upfront financial incentive for installing renewable energy systems and can be sold to offset the cost of installation. STCs focus on promoting small-scale renewable energy generation.
In summary, VEECs are focused on energy efficiency measures and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while STCs incentivise the installation of small-scale renewable energy systems
Heat pumps and solar hot water systems are eligible for both.
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