An Advanced Visualization Platform for Real-time Power System Operations

The size and complexity of the interconnected power grid pose significant challenges to system operators. The requirement of rapid response under diverse conditions in a highly complex environment underscores the need for tools that can help operators detect potential problems and identify solutions quickly and accurately. This paper discusses the design, development, and deployment of a software application that attempts to address this need. The software illustrates system conditions on a geographic map of the interconnection using a variety of innovative visualization techniques that help the application convey the current state of the system in a clear, unambiguous, and engaging way. This paper discusses the architecture of the application, the benefits, design, and implementation of each of its visualization tools, guidelines for designing displays that take maximum advantage of the platform’s strengths, and planned future enhancements. It also emphasizes a key ingredient to the success of the application: seeking and responding to the ideas and needs of the operators who depend on the platform for the information they require to operate the power system. Several figures are included that demonstrate the types of displays currently being shown in the