Real-time data retrieval and new visualization techniques for the energy industry

Effective power system operation requires power system engineers and operators to analyze vast amounts of information. The authors have developed several techniques for visualizing large amounts of data including contouring, animated flows, and 3D visualization. These techniques have been completely integrated into PowerWorld Simulator, an offline system study tool for use in the energy industry. Integrating these visualization techniques with real-time data sources, such as those available in energy control centers, however, has presented a separate challenge to the wide dissemination of these visualization abilities. The paper presents a case study of integrating these abilities with control centers that utilize the Plant Information (PI) System for data storage and archival. Projects have been completed that integrate these visualization techniques into control centers for Commonwealth Edison in Lombard, Illinois and City Water Light and Power in Springfield, Illinois. A separate pilot project has also been completed with the Tennessee Valley Authority.