Setting Up Rates

Setting Up Rates

Rate Manager Toolbar

The Rate Manager Toolbar contains several shortcut tools you can use to access rate functions.

 

Toolbar Icon Shortcut Description
toolbar1.jpg New Rate Opens the Rate Wizard.
toolbar2.jpg Find Rate Opens the Vendor Selection window to locate the rate associated with a particular vendor.
toolbar3.jpg Refresh Refreshes the rate list

Setting Up Rates

Overview: Rate Manager

playIcon.png WATCH VIDEO

The Rate Manager provides functionality to create, modify, delete, or import utility rates in order to calculate billing information. The Rate Manager can be a powerful tool for investigating savings opportunities such as alternative rates, meter aggregation, and other "what if" scenarios.

EnergyCAP Enterprise uses rates to calculate vendor charges. These charges can then be applied to bill or channel based meter data over specified time periods, from which resulting bill costs are calculated. In bills, a rate can be assigned to either meter or account level data. These calculations can be used to create billing charges (through the virtual bill functionality), or to check billing accuracy through a rate- based audit.

Analysis scripts can use rates to calculate billing charges, either from user-entered bill data values or by using meter data channel information (This scripting activity is session-based and does not require that particular rates be assigned to particular account/meters).

The Rate Manager workspace is divided into two panes:

Hierarchy Pane A hierarchy of vendors and their associated rates displayed similarly to the Windows Explorer display of folders and files. Click rate_lst.gif to navigate to vendors and rates.

 

rt_mgr_tree.gif

rate_img.gif represents the vendor's rate folders

folder.gif represents the rate's version folder

version.gif represents the version's rate properties, bill calculations, and meter details

 

View Pane Displays the selected version's properties and whether the rate script is custom.

EnergyCAP Enterprise defines a custom rate as either:

  • A rate whose script has been modified using the Rate Script Editor.

  • A rate whose properties have been modified using the Simple function.

rate_dsply.gif

Accessing the Rate Manager

  1. On the navigation bar, select the Accounting module.

  2. Click the Rates icon ratesButton.jpg. The Rate Manager appears.

 

See Also: playIcon.png WATCH VIDEO

Setting Up Rates

Overview: Rate Wizard

The process of creating a rate using the Rate Wizard is dependent upon an understanding of utility tariffs. Care must be taken when creating rates from tariff information, as they tend to be vague, and open to interpretation (see example).

Prior to creating a rate using the Rate Wizard it is advisable to document the rate in action – typically via a spreadsheet calculation.

Example: On 5/21/2001, a bill is received for $5,015.85 using 100,000 kWh and 70 kW. Use the rate’s properties to manually calculate the bill with the usage of 100,000 kWh and 70 kW.

 

Customer Charge:

$150.00 month

Energy Charge:

$0.101 for the first 150 kWh per kW

$0.08 for the next 100 kWh per kW

$0.009 for the next 300 kWh per kW

$0.008 for the remaining kWh

Demand Charge:

$5.56 for all kW over 5kW

Energy Adjustment:

Amount determined in accordance with rider EAJ. The adjustment appears on the monthly bill - our example has an adjustment of 0.0181 $/kWh

State Tax:

Not included in the tariff but assume a state tax of 8.5%

 

This rate tariff states that peak demand is charged at "$5.56 for each kW of demand in excess of 5 kW."

Note: No mention of demand step sizes are given but are used in the demand calculation – this is where the tariff interpretation comes in.

In this example we find that the calculations are correct – the calculated cost is equal to the bill’s total cost.

 

05/21/2001

Use

100,000

kWh

 

 

 

 

Demand

70

kW

 

 

 

 

Total Cost

$5,015.85

 

 

 

 

Customer Charge

 

 

 

 

$150.00

Energy

step size

* billing demand

Actual Step used

$/kWh

 

Energy Cost

Step 1

150

70

10,500

0.101

 

1,060.50

Step 2

100

70

7,000

0.08

 

560.00

Step 3

300

70

21,000

0.009

 

189.00

Step 4

remainder

 

61,500

0.008

 

492.00

 

 

Use check

100,000

Usage Subtotal

$2,301.50

Demand

step size

 

Actual Step used

$/kW

 

Demand Cost

Step 1

5

 

5

0

 

0

Step 2

remainder

 

65

5.56

 

361.4

 

 

demand check

70

Demand Subtotal

$361.40

Energy Adjustment

Use

$/kWh

 

 

Engy-Adj Cost

 

 

100,000

0.0181

 

 

$1,810.00

Subtotal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subtotal cost

$4,622.90

Tax

Subtotal of cost

Tax %

 

 

Tax Cost

 

$4,622.90

 

8.50%

 

 

$392.95

 

 

 

 

Total Cost

$5,015.85

 

Working with Rates

Creating a Rate Using the Rate Wizard

EnergyCAP recommends creating rates using the Rate Wizard (follow procedure below). It is easier than using the "Simple Rate" creation method.

  1. Select Accounting > Rates. The Rate Manager appears.

  2. Click to select the vendor under which to create the rate.

    NOTE: Click rate_lst.gif to navigate the hierarchy of vendors.

  3. From the Rate menu (or from the right-click popup menu), select New Rate > Wizard. The Rate Wizard-General window appears. If it does not, make sure that a vendor is selected/highlighted from the vendor list.
  4. Input the requested information including:
    • Rate Name (Typically, the rate name listed on the actual bill is used. Rate names found on bills differ occasionally from the names found in tariff information)
      NOTE: Each rate name associated with a vendor MUST be unique (for example, cannot have a "GS1" rate for electric AND water)
    • Rate Type (options are Fuel Cost, Rate Rider or Tax)
    • Commodity
    • Effective Date  (The first day that the rate is effective) Effective dates are typically derived from tariff information. Enter the rate effective date or use the drop-down arrow to select the date from the popup calendar.
    • Any desired Note (any comments specific to this rate, up to 255 characters).

  1. After making your selections, click Next button to proceed to the Rate Wizard-Feature Selection page.

    NOTES: If desired, use the Back button to return to a previous Rate Wizard page. And/or use the Cancel button to exit the Rate Wizard without saving the rate. Wizard page/window content and number of windows may vary depending on selected rate options.

  1. Select the desired rate Features by clicking the checkboxes associated for each. For additional information on the Rate Wizard options, click on a link below:

  1. After selecting the desired rate Features, click Next to open the Rate Wizard-Minimum/Maximum window. If applicable click the Rate Minimum and/or Rate Maximum checkboxes and input the appropriate values from the rate schedule. For additional information on the Rate Wizard options, click on the link below:

 

  1. Click Next to open the Rate Wizard-Finished window.

  2. To save all changes, click Finish. Or click Cancel to exit the Rate Wizard without saving the rate.

Working with Rates

Modifying a Rate Using the Rate Wizard

EnergyCAP recommends using the Rate Wizard when modifying an existing rate. If a rate is modified using the Simple rate functionality, the rate is designated as a custom rate.

NOTE: Modifying a rate is not the same as creating a new version of the rate. If the existing rate is changing, use the New Version option (see Creating a Rate Version).

To modify a rate using the Rate Wizard:

  1. Select the Accounting | Rates. The Rate Manager appears.

  2. Click rate_lst.gif to navigate to the vendor under which the rate exists.

  3. Select the appropriate rate.

  4. Right-click and select Properties | Wizard. The Rate Wizard window appears.

  5. Modify the rate by replacing existing information with updated information. When done, click the Finish button.

Working with Rates

Modifying Rate Properties Without the Wizard

It is possible to modify a rate without using the Rate Wizard.

'Simple' rate creation provides more options for user configuration; with that flexibility comes added user responsibility to ensure that all rate elements have been appropriately included in the rate configuration.

Follow the procedure below to modify a rate without using the Rate Wizard.

NOTE: If you modify a rate using the Rate Wizard, the rate remains a standard default rate. If you modify a rate using the Simple functionality, the rate will be designated a custom rate.

  1. Select the Accounting | Rates. The Rate Manager appears.

  2. Click rate_lst.gif to navigate to the vendor under which the rate exists.

  3. Select the appropriate rate.

  4. Right-click and select Properties | Simple. The Rate Properties window appears.

  5. Select the General tab.

  6. If applicable, edit the rate name in the Name field. Typically, the rate name listed on the actual bill is used. Rate names found on bills differ occasionally from the names found in tariff information.

  7. If applicable, edit or enter any comments about the rate in the Note field (comments specific to this rate, up to 255 characters).

  8. Select the Specifics tab.

  9. Select the Interface from the drop-down list. Input and Output choices will vary depending upon the Interface selection.

    • Rate Properties

    • Bill Calculation

    • Meter Details

  10. Assign an input by clicking plus.gif. The Create Input window appears.

  11. Modify an existing input by selecting the appropriate input then clicking properties.gif. The Input Properties dialog appears.

  12. Assign an output by clicking plus.gif. The Create Output window appears.

  13. Modify an output by selecting the appropriate output then clicking properties.gif. The Output Properties dialog appears.

  14. Delete an input or output by selecting the appropriate item then clicking minus.gif. The Confirm window appears.

    • Select Yes to delete the input or output.

    • Select No to cancel the operation.

  15. After making your selections, click OK. The rate is modified.

Working with Rates

Creating a Rate Version

New Rate or new Version?

 

Create a new RATE if:

  • The vendor has changed and an existing rate is not available for the new vendor OR
  • Multiple accounts use the same rate, and proposed rate changes will only affect a subset of those accounts.

 

Create a new rate VERSION if:

  • The existing vendor is making a rate change that affects all accounts using that rate, OR
  • It is important to retain the old rate for entering historical bill information.

 

EnergyCAP recommends using the Rate Wizard to assist with creating a new rate VERSION:

 

  1. Select the Accounting | Rates. The Rate Manager appears.

  2. Click rate_lst.gif to navigate to the vendor under which the rate exists.

  3. Select the appropriate rate.

  4. Right-click and select New Version. The Rate Wizard-General window appears. Update the Effective date, and make other changes as necessary. When done, click Next or Finish.

  5. For additional information on the Rate Wizard options, click on a link below:

Working with Rates

Deleting a Rate

  1. Select Accounting | Rates. The Rate Manager appears.

  2. Navigate to the vendor and commodity under which the rate exists.

  3. Select the rate to delete.

  4. From the Rate menu, select Delete. OR right-click and select Delete from the popup menu options. The Confirm window appears.

    • Select Yes to delete the rate.

    • Click No to cancel the operation.

Working with Rates

Copying a Rate to Another Vendor

To copy a rate to another vendor in the same database:

 

  1. Select an existing Rate VERSION.
  2. Select Copy As from the Rate menu OR right-click and select Copy As from the popup menu. The Rate Copy window appears.
  3. Input a new rate Name in the field provided.
  4. Select a Vendor from the drop-down list.
  5. Input the rate Effective Date (or keep the default date suggested).
  6. Input any desired information in the Notes: field.
  7. Click OK to copy the rate to the new vendor. The rate will be copied, and the new rate will appear in the Rate Manager hierarchy.

 

NOTE: Any existing Rate Variables are not copied to the new rate. If required, they will need to be recreated for the new vendor.

 

See Also: Exporting Rate Data

 

 

Working with Rates

Exporting Rate Data

The Export option enables transfer of rate (and other) information from one database to another (rate portability). To export a rate in EnergyCAP Enterprise:

  1.  Select Accounting | Rates. The Rate Manager appears.

  2. From the Rate Manager Tree View, select either:

    Nothing  (will export all rates, season definitions, time of use definitions, holiday group definitions, or meter details)
    Vendor node (will export the vendor's season definitions, time of use definitions, holiday group definitions, or meter details)
    Rate node (will export the rate, season definitions, time of use definitions, holiday group definitions, or meter details)

  3. After making a selection, click File/Export. The Save As window will appear.

  4. In the Save in pane, select the directory location for the file. Use the drop-down menu to select a different directory.

  5. In the File name field, enter a name for the file.

  6. Click the Save as type: drop-down and select the desired file type for export. Depending on the node selected in #2 above, the following Save as type fields may be availablel for selection:

    • Season Library (*.xml) Season definitions

    • Time of Use Library (*.xml) Time of use definitions

    • Holiday Library (*.xml) Holiday group definitions

    • Meter Details Library (*.xml) Meter details

    • Rate XML Files (*.xml) All rate properties including the rate script

    • All Files (*.*)  Do not use. File will not be exported.

  7. After making your selections, click Save. The data will be saved to the location specified.

See Also: Copying a Rate to Another Vendor

Working with Rates

Importing Rate Data

The Import option in EnergyCAP Enterprise enables the user to import rates and other types of data from an XML file exported from any other compatible EnergyCAP database (rate portability). To import rate information:

  1. Select Accounting > Rates. The Rate Manager will be displayed.
  2. From the File menu, select Import. The Open window will be displayed.
  3. In the Look in field, select the directory location of the import file. If necessary, use the drop-down arrow to display additional directories.
  4. In the Files of type: field, select the appropriate import file type (XML).
  5. Click on the desired import file to select it. Or type the file name into the File name: field.
  6. Click Open. Energy CAP Enterprise automatically detects what data is available in the import file and imports the rate data.

 

IMPORT NOTES: If the source vendor does not exist at all in the target database, a new vendor record will be created (only Code and Display name, no other fields will be populated) and the imported new rate will be created under that.

If the source Vendor Code exists in the target database, but the Display name is different, the Rate will not be imported, and a vendor will not be created (i.e. EnergyCAP will not create a duplicate vendor code nor will it proceed with the import if the vendor code exists but the source vendor name does not agree with the target vendor name.)

If the source Vendor Code does not exist, but the Vendor Display name does, a new vendor with the imported code and name will be created and the new rate will be created under that. This means that one vendor (for example “Central Power”) will have two records. Each record will have a distinct vendor code but the Display names will be the same.

Some EnergyCAP users have multiple vendor codes for the same vendor, typically because the vendor has multiple ‘remit-to’ addresses and the A/P system has to treat each remit address as a separate vendor. So, it is not unheard of for one vendor to be represented by multiple codes and vendor records (it is recommended that vendor records of this type be differentiated with a Display name suffix, such as “Central Power – Main Office” and “Central Power – Lincoln Office”).

Season Definition Editor

Overview: Season Definition Editor

The Season Definition Editor allows you to create, modify, and delete season definitions for use with seasonal rates. Once a season has been created, it can then be associated with the applicable rate(s).

Season definition begin and end dates must be in a specific format:

  • Season Begin Date Starting at 12:00AM for the date listed (i.e. a full 24 hours of the date listed are attributable to the season it is beginning.

  • Season End Date End date denotes the END – up to date xx/yy but not including date xx/yy (i.e. 0 hours of the end date day are attributable to the season it is ending.

If two seasons exist, for example summer and winter, the end date of summer should match the start date of winter. And the end date of winter should match the start date of summer. This is required so 365 days of the year are included in a season definition, split between the individual seasons within it.

Not all vendor start and end dates look the same, even if they are the same as shown in the examples below:

Example 1

Electric Company definition

Season Definition

Start

End

Summer

May 1

September 30

Winter

All other

Note the differences when defined in Energy CAP Enterprise

Season Definition

Start

End

Summer

Every May 1

Every October 1

Winter

Every October 1

Every May 1

Example 2

Power Company definition

Season Definition

Start

End

Summer

First Sunday in June

First Sunday in October

Winter

First Sunday in October

First Sunday in June

Energy CAP Enterprise defines the periods the same way

Season Definition

Start

End

Summer

First Sunday in June

First Sunday in October

Winter

First Sunday in October

First Sunday in June

Example 3

Gas & Electric Company definition

Season Definition

Start

End

Summer

May 1

October 31

Winter

November 1

April 30

Note the differences when defined in Energy CAP Enterprise

Season Definition

Start

End

Summer

Every May 1

Every November 1

Winter

Every November 1

Every May 1

 

When a utility describes an end date as "Up to and Including the day", as is the case with Gas & Electric Company above, you must add one day to the end date because Energy CAP Enterprise defines the end date as "Up to but NOT including the day".

In the Gas & Electric Company example, the end date of October 31 becomes November 1 due to the Energy CAP Enterprise definition of end date.

Season Definition Editor

Creating a Season Definition

A season definition must have at least two seasons. The sum of the seasons must add up to 365 days. The Begin Day on the subsequent series should be the same as the End Day of the previous series. The End Day of the last series should be the same as the Begin Day of the initial series.

A season definition's begin and end dates must be in a specific format:

  • Season Begin Date Starting at 12:00AM for the date listed (i.e. a full 24 hours of the date listed attributable to the season it is beginning)

  • Season End Date End date denotes the END – up to date xx/yy but not including date xx/yy (i.e. 0 hours of the end date day attributable to the season it is ending)

If two seasons exist, for example Summer and Winter, the end date of Summer should match the start date of Winter. And the end date of Winter should match the start date of Summer. This is required so 365 days of the year are included in a season definition, split between the individual seasons within it.

When a utility describes an end date as "Up to and Including the day", you must add one day to the end date because the application defines the end date as "Up to but NOT including the day".

  1. Select Accounting | Rates. The Rate Manager appears.

  2. From the Rate menu, select Editors | Season Definition. The Season Definition Editor window appears.

    • Season definitions are listed by name and (optionally) by vendor. You can sort the lists by clicking on a column heading. Sort the lists in reverse order by clicking the column heading once more.

  3. Add a season definition by clicking plus.gif. The Create Season Definition window appears.

  4. Enter the Season name as it should  appear throughout the system. You are limited to 16 characters. You may use letters (all caps only), numbers, underscores (_), dashes (-), ampersands (&), or slashes (/) but not special characters (such as #, *).

  5. If a specific vendor association is desired, select the appropriate vendor from the drop-down list.

  6. Click plus.gif to activate the remaining fields.

  7. Click in the Season field then enter the season name. You may use letters, numbers, or characters in any combination.

    • Energy CAP Enterprise recommends keeping the name simple like Summer or Winter.

  8. Click in the Begin Day field then click ellipses.gif. The Recurring Days window appears. Follow the instructions for Setting Recurring Days.

  9. Click in the End Day field then click ellipses.gif. The Recurring Days window appears. Follow the instructions for Setting Recurring Days.

  10. Repeat steps 6-9 to add other seasons to this definition.

  11. Delete a season by selecting the appropriate season then clicking minus.gif.

  12. After making your selections, click OK. The Create Season Definition window closes.

  13. Exit the Season Definition Editor window by clicking Close.

Season Definition Editor

Modifying a Season Definition

A season definition must have at least two seasons. The sum of the seasons must add up to 365 days. The begin day on the subsequent series should be the same as the end day of the previous series. The end day of the last series should be the same as the begin day of the initial series.

A season definition's begin and end dates must be in a specific format:

  • Season Begin Date Starting at 12:00AM for the date listed (i.e. a full 24 hours of the date listed attributable to the season it is beginning)

  • Season End Date End date denotes the END – up to date xx/yy but not including date xx/yy (i.e. 0 hours of the end date day attributable to the season it is ending)

If two seasons exist, for example Summer and Winter, the end date of Summer should match the start date of Winter. And the end date of Winter should match the start date of Summer. This is required so 365 days of the year are included in a season definition, split between the individual seasons within it.

When a utility describes an end date as "Up to and Including the day", you must add one day to the end date because the application defines the end date as "Up to but NOT including the day".

  1. Select Accounting | Rates. The Rate Manager appears.

  2. From the Rate menu, select Editors | Season Definition. The Season Definition Editor window appears.

    • Season definitions are listed by vendor and name. You can sort the lists by clicking on a column heading. Sort the lists in reverse order by clicking the column heading once more.

  3. Select the appropriate season definition then click properties.gif. The Season Definition Properties window appears.

  4. Modify the name by clearing the Name field then entering the new name. You are limited to 16 characters. You may use letters (all caps only), numbers, underscores (_), dashes (-), ampersands (&), or slashes (/) but not special characters (such as #, *).

  5. Modify the vendor by selecting the new vendor from the drop-down list.

  6. Modify a season name by clearing the Season field then entering the new name. You may use letters, numbers, or characters in any combination. We recommend keeping the name simple like Summer or Winter.

  7. Modify a begin day by clicking in the Begin Day field then clicking ellipses.gif. The Recurring Days window appears. Follow the instructions for Setting Recurring Days.

  8. Modify an end day by clicking in the End Day field then clicking ellipses.gif. The Recurring Days window appears. Follow the instructions for Setting Recurring Days.

  9. Delete a season by selecting the appropriate season then clicking minus.gif.

  10. After making your selections, click OK. The Season Definition Properties window closes.

  11. Exit the Season Definition Editor window by clicking Close.

Season Definition Editor

Deleting a Season Definition

  1. Select Accounting | Rates. The Rate Manager appears.

  2. From the Rate menu, select Editors | Season Definition. The Season Definition Editor window appears.

    • Season definitions are listed by vendor and display. You can sort the lists by clicking on a column heading. Sort the lists in reverse order by clicking the column heading once more.

  3. Select the appropriate definition.

  4. Click minus.gif. The Confirm window appears.

    • Click Yes to delete the season definition.

    • Click No to cancel the operation.

  5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to delete other season definitions.

  6. Exit the Season Definition Editor window by clicking Close.

Time of Use Editor

Overview: Time of Use Editor

The Time of Use Editor allows you to manage time of use definitions. Time of use definitions are used within Energy CAP Enterprise to define vendors' time of use schedules. Vendors often charge more for electricity during periods of high usage, more electricity is used in mid afternoon than the middle of the night and is therefore charged at a higher cost per unit.

Time of use definitions store the rules a utility company uses to separate raw meter data into time of use periods, allowing Energy CAP Enterprise to accurately recreate time of use based billing data from raw meter data.

Time of Use Editor

Creating a Time of Use Definition

  1. From the Rate menu, select Editors | Time of Use. The Time of Use Editor window appears.

    • TOUs are listed by vendor and name. You can sort the lists by clicking on a column heading. Sort the lists in reverse order by clicking the column heading once more.

  2. Add a TOU definition by clicking plus.gif. The Create Time of Use window appears.

  3. Enter the name to appear throughout the system. You are limited to 16 characters. You may use letters (all caps only), numbers, underscores (_), dashes (-), ampersands (&) or slashes (/) but not special characters (such as #, *).

  4. In the Vendor field, select the appropriate vendor from the drop-down list.

  5. In the Holiday Group field, select the appropriate holiday group from the drop-down list.

  6. In the Non-peak Period field, enter a name for the non-peak period. This is the catch-all period, typically named Off-Peak. Any time period not specifically defined by the rest of the TOU definition will be part of this period.

  7. Click plus.gif to activate the remaining fields.

  8. Click in the Peak Name field then enter the peak name.

  9. Click in the Days field then click ellipses.gif. The Day Selection window appears.

    1. Select the days to include when this peak period is occurring. If you select Weekdays or Weekends, the option to select individual days is unavailable. Typical rates use either Weekdays or All.

    2. Click OK. The Day Selection window closes.

The Days field is populated with a single letter code representing the selections made. Multiple letters appear if you selected more than one day.

M – Monday, T – Tuesday, W – Wednesday, R – Thursday, F – Friday, D – Weekdays, E – Weekends, H – Holiday

  1. Click in the Type field then select the peak type from the drop-down list.

  2. Click in the Start 1 field then enter the time using Military time.

  3. Click in the End 1 field then enter the time using Military time.

    • If the period of time is being defined for multiple time periods, use the same procedure for the Start 2 and End 2 fields.

  4. Repeat steps to 7-12 to add other peaks to this TOU definition.

  5. Remove a peak by selecting the appropriate peak then clicking minus.gif.

  6. After making your selections, click OK. The Create Time of Use window closes.

  7. Exit the Time of Use Editor by clicking Close.

Time of Use Editor

Modifying a Time of Use Definition

  1. From the Rate menu, select Editors | Time of Use. The Time of Use Editor window appears.

    • TOUs are listed by vendor and name. You can sort the lists by clicking on a column heading. Sort the lists in reverse order by clicking the column heading once more.

  2. Select the appropriate TOU definition then click properties.gif. The Time of Use Properties window appears.

  3. Modify the name by clearing the name field then entering the new name. You are limited to 16 characters. You may use letters (all caps only), numbers, underscores (_), dashes (-), ampersands (&) or slashes (/) but not special characters (such as *, #).

  4. Modify the vendor by selecting the new vendor from the drop-down list.

  5. Modify the holiday group by selecting the new holiday group from the drop-down list.

  6. Modify the non-peak period name by clearing the Non-Period name field then entering the new name. This is the catch-all period, typically named Off-Peak. Any time period not specifically defined by the rest of the TOU definition will be part of this period.

  7. Modify the peak name by clearing the Peak Name field then entering the new name.

  8. Modify the day selection by clicking ellipses.gif in the Days field. The Day Selection window appears.

    1. Select the days to include when this peak period is occurring. If you select Weekdays or Weekends, the option to select individual days is unavailable. Typical rates use either Weekdays or All.

    2. Click OK. The Day Selection window closes.

The Days field is populated with a single letter code representing the selections made. Multiple letters appear if you selected more than one day.

M – Monday, T – Tuesday, W – Wednesday, R – Thursday, F – Friday, D – Weekdays, E – Weekends, H – Holiday

  1. Modify the type by clicking in the Type field then selecting the peak type from the drop-down list.

  2. Modify the start and end times by clicking in the appropriate field then enter the time using Military time.

  3. Remove a peak by selecting the appropriate peak then clicking minus.gif.

  4. After making your selections, click OK. The Time of Use Properties window closes.

  5. Exit the Time of Use Editor by clicking Close.

Time of Use Editor

Deleting a Time of Use Definition

  1. Select Accounting | Rates. The Rate Manager appears.

  2. From the Rate menu, select Editors | Time of Use. The Time of Use Editor dialog box appears.

    • TOUs are listed by vendor and name. You can sort the lists by clicking on a column heading. Sort the lists in reverse order by clicking the column heading once more.

  3. Select the appropriate TOU definition.

  4. Click . The Confirm dialog box appears.

    • Click Yes to delete the TOU definition.

    • Click No to cancel the operation.

  5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to delete other time of use definitions.

  6. Exit the Time of Use Editor dialog box by clicking Close.

Holiday Group Editor

Overview: Holiday Group Editor

The Holiday Group Editor allows you to manage holiday groups. Holiday groups contain a collection of pre-defined days which a utility company observes. Within EnergyCAP Enterprise, time of use definitions "read" the information stored in a holiday group and use that information to break meter data into the appropriate time of use categories.

For example: Vendor XYZ defines on peak usage as usage occurring between the hours of noon and 4 PM on weekdays unless the particular weekday is a holiday, and all other usage is classified as off peak usage. Vendor XYZ would then list the holidays which it observes. The holidays defined by Vendor XYZ would be entered into a holiday group, allowing EnergyCAP Enterprise to properly place all usage recorded for a holiday into the off peak period.

 

Holiday Group Editor

Creating a Holiday Group

  1. Select Accounting > Rates.

  2. From the Rate menu, select Editors > Holiday Group. The Holiday Group Editor window appears.

  3. Add a holiday group by clicking plus.gif. The Create Holiday Group window appears.

  4. In the Code field, enter the holiday group name

  5. In the Display field, enter the name to appear throughout the system. It is recommended that you use the same identifier as displayed in the Code field.

  1. Select the appropriate vendor from the drop-down list.

  2. Click plus.gif to activate the remaining fields.

  3. Click in the Day field then enter the holiday name.

  4. Create the holiday definition by clicking in the Definition field then clicking ellipses.gif. The Recurring Days window appears. Follow the instructions for Setting Recurring Days.

  5. Repeat steps 7-9 to add other holidays and definitions for this holiday group.

  6. After making your selections, click OK. The Create Holiday Group window closes.

  7. Exit the Holiday Group Editor window by clicking Close.

Holiday Group Editor

Modifying a Holiday Group

  1. Select Accounting > Rates.

  2. From the Rate menu, select Editors > Holiday Group. The Holiday Group Editor window appears.

  3. Select the appropriate holiday group then click properties.gif. The Holiday Group Properties window appears.

  4. Modify the display by clearing the Display field then entering the new display. It is recommended that you use the same identifier as displayed in the Code field.

  1. Modify the vendor by selecting the new vendor from the drop-down list.

  2. Add a holiday by clicking plus.gif.

    1. Click in the Day field then enter the holiday name.

    2. Create the holiday definition by clicking in the Definition field then clicking ellipses.gif. The Recurring Days window appears. Follow the instructions for Setting Recurring Days.

  3. Remove a holiday by selecting the appropriate day then clicking minus.gif. The Confirm window.

    • Select Yes to delete the holiday.

    • Select No to cancel the operation.

  4. Modify a holiday name by clicking in the Day field then entering the new name.

  5. Modify a holiday definition by clicking in the Definition field then clicking ellipses.gif. The Recurring Days window appears. Follow the instructions for Setting Recurring Days.

  6. After making your selections, click OK. The Holiday Group Properties window closes.

  7. Exit the Holiday Group Editor window by clicking Close.

Holiday Group Editor

Deleting a Holiday Group

  1. Select Accounting > Rates.

  2. From the Rate menu, select Editors > Holiday Group. The Holiday Group Editor window appears.

    • Holiday groups are listed by vendor and name. You can sort the lists by clicking on a column heading. Sort the lists in reverse order by clicking the column heading again.

  3. Select the appropriate holiday group.

  4. Click minus.gif. The Confirm window appears.

    • Click Yes to delete the holiday group.

    • Click No to cancel the operation.

  5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to delete other holiday groups.

  6. Exit the Holiday Group Editor winow by clicking Close.

Working with Rate Scripts

Viewing a Rate Script

The Energy CAP Enterprise default rate script is written in Visual Basic programming language drawing on data selected or entered during rate creation or modification.

  1. Select Accounting | Rates. The Rate Manager appears.

  2. Click rate_lst.gif to navigate to the vendor/commodity under which the rate exists.

  3. Select the appropriate rate VERSION.

  4. From the Rate menu, select View Script. Or right-click and select View Script from the popup menu. The Rate Script Editor window appears.

  5. You can:

    • Save a script by clicking the save.gif icon and following the prompts from the Save As ... window.

    • Print a script by clicking the print.gif icon. The script will be printed to the default printer.

    • Open a script by clicking the Open File open.gif icon and following the prompts from the Open ... window.

    • Search the script text by clicking the Search srch_icon.gif icon and inputting the search parameters in the Find window.

    • Edit a script

    • Run a script

    • Restore the script defaults

  6. Exit the Rate Script Editor window by clicking Cancel.

Working with Rate Scripts

Editing a Rate Script

At times it might be necessary to modify the default Energy CAP Enterprise rate script for events that are not standard. For example, the Rate Wizard can only accept cost per day or flat fee customer charges. You would need to edit the rate script to calculate customer charges by usage.

If you edit the default Energy CAP Enterprise rate script, the modified script applies to the current version and all future versions of this rate.

Editing scripts should only be attempted by advanced users with Visual Basic programming skills.

  1. Select Accounting | Rates. The Rate Manager appears.

  2. Click to navigate to the vendor and commodity under which the rate exists.

  3. Select the appropriate version.

  4. From the Rate menu, select View Script. The Rate Script Editor dialog box appears.

  5. Place the cursor in the area of the script text that you wish to edit.

  6. Make the necessary modifications.

  7. Click OK. The modified rate script is saved.

  8. Exit the Rate Script Editor by clicking Cancel.

Working with Rate Scripts

Running a Rate Script

Running the rate script allows you to verify calculations based on actual values entered, and/or selections made during creation/modification of a rate.

  1. Select Accounting | Rates. The Rate Manager appears.

  2. Click rate_lst.gif to navigate to the vendor and commodity under which the rate exists.

  3. Select the appropriate version.

  4. From the Rate menu, select View Script. The Rate Script Editor window appears.

  5. Click scrpt_run.gif. The Rate Check window appears to verify the script.

  6. You can:

    • Print the rate inputs and outputs by clicking print.gif. The information is printed to your default printer.

    • Enter rate values by clicking in the appropriate input field then entering the value.

    • Copy the values for the rate inputs to edit (using a word processing or spreadsheet application) by clicking copy.gif. You can then copy the edited values (using the other application's copy function) and paste back into the inputs fields by clicking paste.gif. The input values reside in a comma-delimited file-- a file containing the data values in a table as a series of ASCII text lines organized so that each column value is separated by a comma from the next column's value and each row starts a new line. A text file of this sort can be opened in word processing applications such as Microsoft®t Word and Microsoft® Notepad, or converted easily to table format in an application such as Microsoft® Excel.

  7. Click processor.gif to execute with the input values entered. The input values are processed then the calculated values are displayed in the Outputs section.

  8. After verifying your script entries, exit by clicking Close. The Rate Check window closes.

  9. Exit the Rate Script Editor by clicking Cancel.

Working with Rate Scripts

Restoring a Rate Script

Energy CAP Enterprise provides a default rate script, ratescr.txt, located in the Energy CAP Enterprise program directory. The Restore function lets you return a non-custom rate script back to the Energy CAP Enterprise default rate script.

Energy CAP Enterprise defines a custom rate as either:

  • A rate whose script has been modified using the Rate Script Editor.

  • A rate whose properties have been modified using the Simple function.

  1. Select Accounting | Rates. The Rate Manager appears.

  2. Click rate_lst.gif to navigate to the commodity under which the rate exists.

  3. Select the appropriate rate.

  4. From the Rate menu, select View Script. The Rate Script Editor dialog box appears.

  5. Click rate_rstr.gif. The Rate Script Editor returns the script back to the default rate script.

  6. Exit the Rate Script Editor by clicking Cancel.

Working with Rate Scripts

Updating Rates with the Default Rate Script

Energy CAP Enterprise provides a default rate script, ratescr.txt, located in the Energy CAP Enterprise program directory. The Update function is intended to revise all non-custom rate scripts at one time. This is useful if a newer version of the default rate script becomes available or if it is desirable to apply a modified version of the default script to non-custom rates.

Use the Update Script option with all rates only when instructed to do it as part of an upgrade.

NOTE: Energy CAP Enterprise defines a custom rate as either:

  • A rate whose script has been modified using the Rate Script Editor.

  • A rate whose properties have been modified using the Simple function.

 

To update the rate script to the default script:

  1. Select Accounting | Rates. The Rate Manager appears.

  2. From the Rate menu, select Update. The Confirm dialog box appears.

    • Select Yes to update all non-custom rates.

    • Select No to cancel the operation.