The bulk licensing node in Source represents bulk access metering points and is used for accounting purposes only. It is essentially a management node that can only be connected to a gauge node. For a river system that contains several water users, the bulk licensing node allows you to debit orders or flows, going past one or more points in a system, from a portfolio of accounts. In cases where there is insufficient water to meet demand, the node will calculate how much water to distribute to various water users based on either:
- How much water was ordered; or
- On a first come, first serve basis.
This distinction is made based on how the bulk licensing node is connected to other gauges in the river system.
Resource allocation systems and bulk licensing
The node is linked to a resource allocation system (if multiple types of account need to be deducted for orders/flow at a location) or a resource allocation account type (if only one type of account needs to be deducted). Rules for deduction of bulk accounting accounts (such as order/use-debit) would be defined in the resource allocation system (at the system, account type or account level). The default behaviour of accounts is:
- Use-debit accounts linked to the bulk licening node are deducted for the flow at the node;
- Order-debit accounts linked to the bulk licensing node are deducted for the ‘committed’ order at the node; and
- Order-debit accounts are refunded the shortfall if a time-step’s flow does not match the order due in that time-step at the node.
Water users
The water user’s account debiting functionality would automatically be disabled for accounts of the bulk licensing node’s account type (or resource allocation system, if the node is to be linked directly to this). Demand is distributed between accounts according to the water user’s distribution priority.
Working with bulk licensing in Source
The bulk licensing node uses accounts to determine water availability and distribute water amongst users. To associate a bulk licensing with a water user account:
- Create a water user account using the Resource Assessment Explorer (refer to Adding an account); and
- Choose the bulk licensing node with which you wish to associate the account.
The water user accounts that are associated with the bulk licensing node can be viewed either in:
- The node's feature editor (shown on the left of Figure 1). Toggle the Accounts Enabled switch to ON to enable this association. The Account Distribution table shows all accounts that are associated with the node.
- The Resource Assessment Explorer, in the Accounts tab (shown on the top right side of Figure 1) or under the actual account in the Associated Account Host section (on the bottom right of Figure 1)
In this case, Account 2 is associated with Bulk Licensing Node 7.
Figure 1. Bulk licensing node accounts
