Update to VEEC calculator for commercial and industrial heat pump water heaters (activity 44)

18 December 2023

The commission has identified an error in a calculator built into the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) registry. The calculator is used by accredited persons (APs) to calculate and create Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs) for commercial and industrial air source heat pump water heaters (activity 44).   

Potential impacts and scale of the error

The error only occurred where multiple units are installed in replacement of decommissioned units under a single activity scenario in an upgrade. In these limited circumstances, this error may have resulted in the over calculation of VEECs. Based on analysis of the registry calculator, the commission does not believe any other activities are exposed to this kind of error. 

We have identified the activities and the APs potentially affected by the error and have contacted each of these individual APs.

Steps the commission has taken to address the issue

Today, we have deployed a fix to the calculator for activity 44 which remedies the identified error.

From early December 2023, we paused registering VEECs for activity 44 while we analysed the issue and identified and contacted affected parties. This pause will be removed from today.

We are working with affected APs to better understand the impact of this error and work with them on a resolution.

Reminder for accredited persons about creating VEECs

As per the terms and conditions set out when APs create VEECs, they are responsible for independently ensuring they claim VEECs in line with the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target Regulations 2018 and Victorian Energy Upgrades Specifications.

If you consider there is an error in VEECs being awarded for an activity, please notify the commission by email: veu@esc.vic.gov.au.

When claiming VEECs for activity 44, we advise that APs need to enter thermal capacities of the products being replaced as per guidance provided in section 2.3 of the activity guide to ensure VEECs being awarded for an upgrade are correctly calculated by the VEU registry.  

This includes including the sum of the thermal capacities of the products being replaced in the “Baseline thermal capacity” field in the VEEC creation form for upgrades replacing multiple baseline products (see examples 5 and 6 under section 2.3 of the activity guide).

Where to get help

If you have any questions with respect to the information set out in this update, please contact VEU support on (03) 9032 1310 or veu@esc.vic.gov.au.