Sigma Online User Manual
Volumetric Consumption Conversion
- Tom Anderton
- Kim Blake
- Graham Paul
Introduction
Sigma Tenant Billing provides the ability to convert volumetrically measured consumption (e.g. m3) into energy consumption that can be used for the purpose of calculating bills (i.e. kWh). The configuration that supports this calculation is maintained within the Tariff.
There are a number of calculation steps needed, which are outlined below:
- The Cubic Meter Volume should be multiplied by the Calorific Value (this varies by geographical region and is usually between 37 and 42)
- The result of the above calculation should be multiplied by the Temperature and Pressure parameter (this is usually 1.02264)
- The result of the above calculation should be multiplied by 0.2777 in order to get kWh consumption.
The system also supports the ability for the output of each of the above calculation steps to be stored and optionally shown on the Tenant Billing output to help justify how the chargeable consumption has been derived.
To set up, you need to add the following to Sigma:
- An Associated Data Channel for the Calorific Value (usually between 37 and 42)
- An Associated Data Channel for the Temperature and Pressure Multiplier (usually 1.02264)
- A Tariff Line for the Calorific Value (using the Associated Data Channel)
- A Tariff Line for the Temperature and Pressure Multiplier (using the Associated Data Channel)
- A Tariff Line for the Multiplier (0.2777)
Adding Associated Data
Best practice is to add the Associated Data at the Organisation level.
Caloric Value Associated Data
From the Tree Selector, right click on the Organisation
Click Add
Click Associated Data
Creating the Associated Data Channel:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Channel Name | Enter Calorific Value |
| Data Load ID 1 | defaults to a unique number |
| Timezone: | defaults to GMT |
| Data type: *Change this first | Choose Calorific Value Note: if this is not in the dropdown, click on + to add Changing this will update the Channel Name |
| Unit of Measurement | Choose m3 |
| Conversion Factor | Defaults to 1 |
| Meter Readings | Leave unticked |
Click OK to save
Adding Data to the Associated Data Channel
Right click on the Calorific Value Associated Data Channel
Click Edit to open The Associated Data Editor popup
Click 
to open the HFD Data Viewer popup
Click Actions
Click Add Reading
Click At start to open the Add Readings popup
Complete as follows:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| End date and time | Change to the date and time you want the Calorific Value to start |
| HFD period | Ignore |
| Readings to add | Leave as 1 |
Click OK to return to the HFD Data Viewer
Double click into the Value field to add the Calorific Value
Click OK to return to the Associate Data Editor popup
Click OK to save
Temperature and Pressure Multiplier
Complete as above, with the following exceptions:
- Choose Temperature-pressure from the Data Type dropdown
- Choose Units from the Unit of Measurement dropdown
Enter the Value of 1.02264 in the HFD Data Viewer
Adding the Calorific Value Conversion to the Tariff
To use the calorific value calculation when creating the charges, then this will need to be configured within the Tariff so that the volumetrically measured consumption can be converted into a suitable value for calculating charges (e.g. kWh).
Opening the Tariff
The Tariff is placed under the Contract in Sigma
From the Tree Selector, click right on the Tariff
Click Edit to open the Tariff Editor
Obtain Consumption Tariff Entry
Click 
Complete as follows:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Enter a name for the Tariff Line, for example: Obtain Consumption |
Line Type | Choose Tariff Charge |
| Input Source | Choose Consumption |
| Override Source | Leave blank |
| Output Name | Enter the name you want to use as the output of this calculation so it can be used as an input into another tariff entry to perform a further calculation, for example GasVolume |
| Tariff Code | Leave as N/A. This effectively means the calculated result will not be displayed on the bill. It is just a calculation step. |
| Bill Data Code | Greyed out - not required |
| Equation / Cost Definition | Choose Cost Definition |
| Equation | Greyed out - not required |
| Cost Definition | Choose Dummy |
| Charge VAT | Greyed out - not required |
Click OK to return to the Tariff Editor
Note: The Dummy Cost Definition is set up to ensure the costs are in pence (not pounds) and cover all day, 24 hours a day.
Click here for more information on setting up a Cost Definition.
Click OK to return to the Tariff Editor.
Calorific Value Tariff Entry
Click
Complete as follows:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Enter a name for the Tariff Line, for example: Obtain Calorific Val |
Line Type | Choose Tariff Charge |
| Input Source | Choose the Associated Data - Supply Associated Data - Calorific Value |
| Override Source | Leave blank |
| Output Name | Enter the name you want to use as the output of this calculation so it can be used as an input into another tariff entry to perform a further calculation, for example CalValue |
| Tariff Code | Leave as N/A. This effectively means the calculated result will not be displayed on the bill. It is just a calculation step. |
| Bill Data Code | Greyed out - not required |
| Equation / Cost Definition | Choose Cost Definition |
| Equation | Greyed out - not required |
| Cost Definition | Choose Dummy |
| Charge VAT | Greyed out - not required |
Click OK to return to the Tariff Editor
Click OK to return to the Tariff Editor.
Temperature & Pressure Multiplier Tariff Entry
Click to add the Temperature and Pressure Multiplier
Complete as follows:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Enter a name for the Tariff Line, for example: Obtain Temp & Pressu |
Line Type | Choose Tariff Charge |
| Input Source | Choose the Associated Data - Supply Associated Data - TempPressure Multiplier |
| Override Source | Leave blank |
| Output Name | Enter the name you want to use as the output of this calculation so it can be used as an input into another tariff entry to perform a further calculation, for example TempAndPress |
| Tariff Code | Leave as N/A This effectively means the calculated result will not be displayed on the bill. It is just a calculation step. |
| Bill Data Code | Greyed out - not required |
| Equation / Cost Definition | Choose Cost Definition |
| Equation | Greyed out - not required |
| Cost Definition | Choose Dummy |
| Charge VAT | Greyed out - not required |
Click OK to return to the Tariff Editor.
Calculate kWh Energy Tariff Entry
Click to add the calculation that will compute the kWh energy.
Complete as follows:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Enter a name for the Tariff Line, for example: Calculate kWh Energy |
Line Type | Choose Tariff Charge |
| Input Source | Leave blank. |
| Override Source | Leave blank |
| Output Name | Enter the name you want to use as the output of this calculation so it can be used as an input into another tariff entry to perform a further calculation, for example ConsumptionkWh |
| Tariff Code | Leave as N/A This effectively means the calculated result will not be displayed on the bill. It is just a calculation step. |
| Bill Data Code | Greyed out - not required |
| Equation / Cost Definition | Choose Equation |
| Equation | In this field, enter: [GasVolume]*[CalValue]*[TempAndPress]*0.2777 |
| Cost Definition | Greyed out - not required |
| Charge VAT | Greyed out - not required |
Click OK to return to the Tariff Editor.
Calculate Unit Rate Charge Tariff Entry
Click to add the calculation that will compute the kWh energy.
Complete as follows:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Enter a name for the Tariff Line, for example: Gas Unit Rate |
Line Type | Choose Tariff Charge |
| Input Source | Leave blank. |
| Override Source | ConsumptionkWh |
| Output Name | Leave blank. |
| Tariff Code | Select "standardUsage" |
| Bill Data Code | Greyed out - not required |
| Equation / Cost Definition | Choose Cost Definition |
| Equation | Greyed out - not required |
| Cost Definition | Choose the Cost definition that contains the energy rates to be charged against the calculated consumption e.g. "Gas All Day" |
| Charge VAT | Tick this box to indicate whether VAT should be applied to the calculated charge. |
Click OK to return to the Tariff Editor.
Click OK to save
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