Understanding Data

In the data model, any object that stores associated attribute data is called a point. A point's attribute data (called facts) depend on the object's categorization. For example, if an electric meter has an electric meter point type, the meter's facts might include service status, returned readings, and manufacturer. When a meter is in service, it is related to other objects in the model, such as service point location, premise, the transformer that supplies the premise, the feeder that supplies the transformer, and the substation that supplies the feeder. All consumption data is based on information coming from the meter and is aggregated upward to the related parent points.

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Parent-Child Relationships

Oracle Utilities Analytics Insights allows data points to have a hierarchical association known as a parent-child relationship. For example, a transformer can have a relationship with the meters that it supplies. Therefore, the transformer is the parent, and its associated meters are considered children.

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Sibling Relationships

Two points that share the same parent are considered siblings. For example, an electric meter and a gas meter at the same premise and transformers on the same feeder are siblings. Parent-child and sibling associations are configurable.

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Understanding Facts

Any attribute stored for a point is stored as a fact. Facts are grouped into three types:

  • Standing / Non Time Series: Data that does not change often. Normally, this data has a start date, and an end date that will be in the future when a change occurs, such as for example, tenant move out or meter exchange. Examples of a standing/ non time series are Relation, Attribute, Numeric Attributes.
  • Time Series: Consistent recurring time-based data such as daily register read or an event. Metric, Event, List, Segment, Text, Count are examples of a time series.
  • Interval (IV): Time series where intervals are shorter than daily, such as for example, 15- minute interval reads.

Facts are auto-generated in the metadata layer as they are loaded and defined in the relational fact table.

Note: Data Types should not be confused with Point Types. Point Types are the categories for objects in the data model.

Fact Data Type Grouping of Data Types Fact Example
Metric Time series kWh
Event Time series Register Gap
List Time series No Gas Con
Segment Time series Read Collection
Text Time series kWh Peak Date
Relation Standing non-time series Status
Attribute Standing non-time series Address
Numeric Attribute Standing non-time series Amps Rating
Interval Metric Interval kWh
Interval Text Interval Voltage Quality
Count Time series Power Out Count

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Understanding Point Types

The following table describes the default point types.

Point Type

Description

Parent Points

Account

Accounts are utility customer accounts in the database.

Bill Cycle, Zip Code

Bill Cycle

Bill cycles are the billing cycles that correspond to the day of the month when the bill is prepared.

Not Applicable

Electric Meter

Electric meters are all of the electric meters in the database.

Account, Bill Cycle, Line Transformer, Premise, Service Point, Zip Code

Feeder

Contains the feeders that are associated with meters.

Substation

Gas Meter

Gas meters in the system.

Account, Bill Cycle, Premise, Service Point, Zip Code

Line Transformer

Contains the transformers that provide service connections for electric meters.

Feeder

Load Profile Class

Contains load profile classes that may be associated with a meter.

Not Applicable

Premise

The address associated with a meter.

Account

Rate

The billing rate charged for consumption of electricity, gas, etc. The rate may vary depending on customer type, time of use, etc.

Not Applicable

Rate Class

Rate class (or customer type) that applies to an account (e.g., residential, commercial, etc.).

Not Applicable

Route

Contains meter reading routes.

Not Applicable

Service Order Agreement

Contains service order agreements for accounts.

Not Applicable

Service Point

Service connection points.

Premise

Utility or Supplier

Contains utilities or suppliers that provide service.

Not Applicable

Zip Code

Contains zip codes in the service area where meters are located.

Not Applicable

For example, data aggregates from an electric meter on two paths:

  1. Meter to line transformer, line transformer to feeder, then feeder to substation.
  2. Meter to service point, service point to premise, premise to account, and then account to either bill cycle or zip code.

flowchart that demostrates data aggregates from an electric meter on two paths.

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Consumption Data Type

Consumption data is represented according to how it originated. Data origin can refer to both data sources and calculations. All types of consumption data are displayed at the meter level; consumption data aggregated to other points (for example, transformers or rate classes) is represented as two consolidated data types: Metered and Estimated.

The table below lists the data types.

Note: The following sections on Oracle Utilities Analytics Insights data types are based on the default configuration. Your data types may be configured differently by your project manager based on your available data and requirements.

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Metered Data Types

Metered Data Type Description
Loaded

Consumption data received in engineering units and not transformed by Oracle Utilities Analytics Insights. No multiplier or other derivation has been applied.

Calculated Calculated data is derived as the difference between the current and previous day's midnight read.
Aggregated

Aggregated data is the summation of consumption data from a shorter time-basis to a longer time-basis. For example, a 15-minute interval to hourly.

Note: This aggregated data does not mean aggregating to a parent point. For example, this would not refer to aggregating from meters to transformers.

 

Interpolated

Interpolated data is a fixed amount of consumption allocated to a normalized time basis such as calculated from register reads that are not received at the anticipated time.

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Estimated Data Types

Estimated Data Type Name Description
Estimated

Estimated data is calculated based on a meter's historic Usage Factor and Load Profile.

Estimated (Agg) Estimated (Agg) data is estimated data aggregated to another time-basis. For example, hourly Estimated data is aggregated to daily Estimated (Agg).

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