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.