Projects

We created a pricing mechanism using a number of objective, measurable features related to customers' consumption profiles which allowed significant variation in pricing. This mechanism created incentives for customers to improve their efficiency by rewarding customers who use gas in a more consistent manner with lower prices. Creation of the pricing mechanism required use of non-linear mathematical optimisation techniques under multiple constraints in order to satisfy the competing requirements. ...

We built a complex levelised cost model that could calculate tariffs for multiple infrastructure items delivering multiple capacity increases over arbitrary timeframes. We used this model to assist the client with their tariff application strategy and to calculate the final tariff application. We prepared all regulatory submission documents for the client's final review. ...

We created all customer engagement tools to facilitate explanation of the new mechanism to customers. We additionally created modelling tools for long-term budgeting and strategic planning purposes. We wrote the software required to convert hourly consumption logger file data into the metrics required for pricing calculation and the loading of this information into the accounting system. We created a parallel calculation to check the invoicing integrity of the new process. ...

We built a financial model of the savings that would be realised by the power utility under various possible operational modes, quantities of gas sold and instantaneous demand requirements. We integrated this model with the clients own financial model to ensure that multiple scenarios could be analysed both from the client's perspective and that of the utility. ...

After a thorough analysis of the client's business strategy, we constructed both a levelised cost tariff model and a rate of return tariff model. Based on the client's business requirements we advised the implementation of a levelised cost tariff indexed to inflation. We created a complex levelised cost model to calculate the appropriate tariff to be charged considering the financial implications of various operational scenarios. We were instrumental in the NERSA application process, writing all submission documentation for the client's final review. The tariff application was successfully approved, unchallenged, by NERSA in March 2013. To our knowledge this was the ...

We created a stochastic scenario generator to integrate with the existing financial model. By doing this we retained all the complexity already built into the existing model by the client but provided insights from the same model that could not be gained by considering a single scenario at a time. We provided the client with a number of visual tools to illustrate the risks of different options and facilitate board approval of the project. ...

After lengthy engagement with the regulator regarding methodology we calculated an appropriate tariff path that would meet both the client's needs and the regulator's requirements. This required the calculation of a levelised cost tariff that increases by inflation every year, and the calculation of a Rate-of-Return tariff for the same facility and the demonstration of parity between these two different tariff profiles. We also documented the financial calculations (model) and drafted the technical (and primary) sections of the tariff application document. Following the submission of the application, we remain active on the project to assist Sunrise with the finalisation of ...

Meridian was appointed to prepare the Sunrise tariff application. However, given that Sunrise required a levelised cost tariff (an inflation indexed tariff) we first had to engage NERSA around the methodology that Sunrise wished to use for the application. After extensive engagements and exchanges of letters on the technicalities of our proposed approach (and demonstrating its NPV equivalence to the NERSA Rate of Return approach) we were able to reach a point where the tariff application could proceed on a levelised cost basis. ...

We constructed a comprehensive paramaterised multi-period financial model of the client's profitability metrics under arbitrary assumptions around volume and macro-economic scenarios. We generated multiple stochastic macro-economic scenarios incorporating the client's forecasts. We developed a visual spreadsheet tool to illustrate the likely range of consequences under the pricing options envisaged by the client. This process allowed the client to refine their offering and confirm that their business strategy gave them desirable levels of risk/reward from the unhedged exposures. ...