Applying Standard Consumption and Feed-In Components to the Master Data Model for SAP S/4HANA Utilities in Germany

In the realm of SAP S/4HANA Utilities, the standard consumption scenario underscores a one-to-one relationship between Market Location (MaLo) and Metering Location (MeLo) installations. This essentially implies that the energy consumed at a MaLo installation is measured by a singular corresponding MeLo installation.

While this scenario provides an overview of energy consumption, it also includes the Network Location (NeLo) to present a comprehensive view of relationships alongside technical and controllable resources. While they provide valuable data, it's important to note that in this scenario, the NeLo and technical and controllable resources are considered optional entities, contributing to an even more developed understanding of the system's functioning.

Under the standard consumption scenario, the Meter Operator (MOS) acquires the responsibility of device maintenance. The MOS Billing, governed by the MOS contract, handles this. Interestingly, the contract price is set to zero, enabling a smooth connection between business and technical master data. In this setup, there's no requirement for a Supplier (SUP) contract or a Distributor (DSO) contract.

A contract account becomes necessary if a direct contractual relationship emerges between the end-customer and the MOS. However, if the billing is being managed by the SUP, no contract account is needed.

Key entities, such as the SUP, MOS, DSO, and Transmission System Operator (TSO) are allocated to the Market Location (MaLo) installation. As there's no settlement to process, settlement units are not required in this system.

At the Metering Location (MeLo) installation, the Modern Measuring Device (MMD) is installed for billing-related, but not billing-relevant purposes, considering there's an MOS contract at the MaLo. Therefore, the registers at the MaLo installation are installed as billing relevant entities in the DSO system. Furthermore, synthetic profiles are allocated to the MaLo installation.

The business partner is assigned to the MOS contract, making it the only business master data required, excluding the contract account.

The Network Location (NeLo), a part of this process, is connected with the MeLo via the MeLo/NeLo relationship type. The NeLo connects to its own installation, which is linked to the premise that is being used and has its own NeLo resource. The NeLo supply scenario mirrors a MeLo supply scenario. Given no billing takes place on the NeLo in case of the Standard Load Profile (SLP). The NeLo resource stores crucial information such as the installed demand and available control channel.

Moreover, the technical resource is also linked to the MaLo installation. A controllable resource, with its own Point-of-Delivery (PoD) and installation, is linked to the same premise. In this case, there's no active supply scenario on this PoD, with any required service providers being identified through the respective MaLo PoD. Together, these elements form a robust and efficient Standard Consumption scenario in the German-specific SAP S/4HANA Utilities environment.

In SAP S/4HANA Utilities, the device info record acts as a meaningful representation of a real device. This becomes especially important when the actual device is managed by the Meter Operator (MOS) in a separate system.

Serving as a virtual placeholder, the device info record is installed for billing-related purposes in both the Metering Location (MeLo) and Market Location (MaLo) installations. The register, however, is marked as 'billing-relevant' only in the MaLo installation as this is the installation where the billing of quantities always takes place.

When generating the Meter Operator Supply (MOS) scenario, both MaLo and MeLo installations come into play. However, for other significant supply scenarios and service providers, such as the supplier and settlement coordinator, these essential components are linked exclusively to the MaLo.

This structure ensures the seamless and comprehensive handling of billing processes, even when the management of real devices is taking place in a separate, external system by the MOS. This is a key aspect of the utilization, flexibility, and broad functionality of the SAP S/4HANA Utilities platform.

In the operational environment of SAP S/4HANA Utilities, the device info record is installed for billing-related procedures in both Metering Location (MeLo) and Market Location (MaLo) installations. However, when it comes to the allocation of registers, they are marked as 'billing-relevant' exclusively within the MaLo installation. The allocation to the MeLo installation, in contrast, does not hold billing relevance. This configuration aligns with the specific billing structures and practices observed within SAP S/4HANA Utilities, ensuring optimized processes and data management.

The MaLo supply scenario Supply is generated in the Electricity division with the nonbillable services:

• Distribution
• Meter Operation
• Settlement Coordination
• Transmission System Operation (optional)

In certain supply scenarios, extra services can come into play. Let's consider a backup supply scenario as an instance. Here, an extra, nonbillable service termed 'Backup-Supply' is allocated to the Market Location (MaLo). The service provider in this context is the backup supplier, which coincides with the one mentioned in the contract. This setup ensures uninterrupted supply even under unforeseen circumstances.

Another example to consider is that of a Non-Integrated Supply. In this situation, another nonbillable service, termed 'Non-Integrated Grid Usage' for the Distributor System Operator (DSO), is allocated to the MaLo. In such cases, it's the business partner supplier who pays for the grid usage, and not the supplier. Consequently, no grid usage bill is expected due to this arrangement. This configuration comes in handy in custom scenarios where typical billing procedures must be adapted, ensuring flexibility in operations within SAP S/4HANA Utilities.

The MaLo supply scenario Supply is generated in the Gas division with the nonbillable services:

• Distribution
• Meter Operator
• Market Area Responsible

In the management of SAP S/4HANA Utilities, a real device is installed solely in the Metering Location (MeLo). On the contrary, the Market Location (MaLo) does not host any real devices. Instead, it contains a device info record, an innovative tool that acts as a virtual placeholder for a real device.

The serial number of the device info record is assigned independently of the serial number of the actual device. This feature ensures that each element in the system, be it a real device or its virtual representation, carries its own unique identifier. However, despite this distinction, the profile of the device info record can be identical to that of the physical device present at the MeLo.

In this setup, a device is installed only at the MeLo and not at the MaLo. However, more devices, such as a smart meter gateway or transformer, find their place in the MaLo. They are installed in the MaLo and linked to both the device info record and the device.

This carefully crafted arrangement allows for easy device changes. If a device undergoes changes, the device at the MeLo is updated. However, the device info record, or DIR, in the MaLo remains the same. This grants the flexibility to update hardware components while keeping the virtual system architecture consistent, underlining the efficiency and practicality of the SAP S/4HANA Utilities.

In the SAP S/4HANA Utilities system, the device info record or DIR has specific locations for its installation. Primarily, it gets installed in the Market Location, or MaLo, though the DIR representing the actual device at the Distributor System Operator (DSO) finds its place only in the Metering Location, or MeLo.

An additional level of organization shines through the allocation of profile headers to the registers. These profiles are crucial for each diverse load shape within the system. Despite being different device info records, the one in the MaLo and the one representing the actual device at the DSO in the MeLo can share the same profile. This allows for consistent data representation and simpler analysis across different parts of the system.

Going a step further in our device organization, the device info records of nonmetering devices also get installed. These are assigned to the installations at both the MaLo and the MeLo, constructing a robust and comprehensive framework for device management in the SAP S/4HANA Utilities domain.

In a robust management system like SAP S/4HANA Utilities, the Device Info Record (DIR) is installed within the Market Location (MaLo) installation, serving as a reference for device information. Interestingly, the DIR that represents the real device on the supplier side is installed only within the Metering Location (MeLo), reinforcing a system of clear data segregation and efficient management.

Even though the DIRs in MaLo and MeLo installations represent different aspects, they can still share the same device profile. This allows for consistency in device representation across the system.

Accommodating nonmetering devices, the DIRs representing these devices are furnished and linked to installations at both the MaLo and MeLo. This is because these additional devices are actually installed on the Distributor System Operator (DSO) side, hence needing their representation in both locations.

In terms of billing, only the registers associated with the MaLo device info record are declared as billing-relevant. This unique aspect of the system ensures that billing processes are streamlined and simplified, further emphasizing the thoroughness and efficiency of SAP S/4HANA Utilities.

In the SAP S/4HANA Utilities system, devices are installed in both systems as non-billing-relevant entities. To represent the properties of the register in the Modern Measuring Device (MMD), a device info record is created. This step is crucial in configuring a metering instance with a Rate Use Case (RUC). Notably, the device info record is installed as a billing-relevant entity in the Distributor System Operator (DSO) system and in the Market Location (MaLo).

In terms of metering instances, one with a RUC is assigned to the MaLo installation, while a metering instance without a RUC is linked to the Metering Location (MeLo) system.

Maintenance of the device is the responsibility of the Meter Operator (MOS), and its related costs are accounted for in MOS Billing according to the MOS contract. Neither a Supplier (SUP) contract nor a DSO contract is required in this framework.

Service providers (SUP, MOS, DSO, and Transmission System Operator (TSO)) are all linked to the MaLo installation. While a Settlement Coordinator is associated with the MaLo, no contract is required. As there's no settlement process running in the system, settlement units aren't required. The only business master data needed, apart from the contract account, is the business partner assigned to the MOS contract.

This specific setup is versatile and can be used for either Standard Load Profile (SLP) or Interval Reading (IR). In the SLP case, synthetic profiles are assigned to the MaLo installation. For IR, the profile headers are linked to the registers. It's important to note that each load shape requires a profile header, underlining the detailed configuration and efficient management offered by SAP S/4HANA Utilities.

Certainly, within the SAP S/4HANA Utilities system, all real devices are substituted with device info records. These records are later installed into the Metering Location (MeLo) and Market Location (MaLo) installations. It marks streamlined management of devices without the need for an additional Meter Operator Supply (MOS) contract for MaLo or extra metering instances for MeLo.

The creation of an MOS supply scenario occurs in both MaLo and MeLo, the intricacies of which we delve into in the forthcoming lessons. Essential supply scenarios and service providers, such as suppliers and settlement coordinators, find their allocation primarily to the MaLo. The business partner, another significant entity, is linked to the contract account.

This versatile setup adapts to both Standard Load Profile (SLP) and Interval Reading modes. For SLP, synthetic profiles are associated with the MaLo installation. Meanwhile, in the case of Interval Reading, profile headers are allocated to the registers. It's noteworthy that every load shape mandates the requirement of a profile header, further emphasizing the depth of precision and efficiency within the SAP S/4HANA Utilities system.

The Modern Measuring Device (MMD) and the Intelligent Metering System (IMS) are two vital components within the SAP S/4HANA Utilities system. These devices are created as device info records, serving as virtual representations of actual devices.

In the role of 'billing-related' entities, they are installed into both Market Location (MaLo) and Metering Location (MeLo) installations. This dual installation allows for a seamless exchange of important billing information across the system, thereby facilitating efficient and consistent data management. This process underscores the well-integrated and robust framework of SAP S/4HANA Utilities.

In the standard consumption and feed-in scenario within SAP S/4HANA Utilities, there's an established relationship ratio of two to one between the Market Location (MaLo) and Metering Location (MeLo) installations. This relation sets a balanced structure for managing the flow of energy and related data.

A unique aspect of this scenario is that its implementation can be achieved using either one bidirectional meter or two uni-directional meters. The choice between these two reflects the specific requirements and capacity of the system in place.

Interestingly, the use of bidirectional meters has been the standard practice thus far. This is because bidirectional meters, which can measure energy flow in both directions, cover a wide range of functionalities and offer flexibility. But, in the context of your SAP S/4HANA Utilities system, either of these configurations can be adopted to fit the specific needs of your operations.

A standard feed-in set up refers to a 1:1 relationship between the MaLo and MeLo installations, which means that the energy fed into the MaLo installation is measured by one MeLo installation.

This chapter describes a location in which 100% of the generated energy is handled by either direct marketing or selling or no direct marketing or selling (legal compensation according to EEG).

Constructs for locations in which the generated energy is handled partly by direct marketing or selling are described further in this document.

From now on, the constructs are described in a simplified way without business master data and some technical master data, such as device location, premise, and connection object, since they are always connected to one another and the installations in the same way.

If it's necessary to review these objects or their relationships, a reference can be easily found in descriptions of the Standard Consumption scenarios.

In SAP S/4HANA Utilities, public consumption facilities like streetlights and traffic lights are categorized as flat-rate installations. Since their annual energy consumption is a fixed value that isn't tracked through metering, this set up is simplified by the absence of a device or device info record. As a result, the creation of a Metering Location (MeLo) installation isn't required.

In this scenario, it's the Distributor System Operator (DSO) that determines the amount of energy consumed. This streamlines operations, with the fixed consumption value easing the process of managing energy usage and billing for these public facilities. The flat-rate installation therefore serves as an efficient route to manage energy consumption and billing of public infrastructure.