Envisioning power system data: concepts and a prototype system state representation

The use of graphics to understand power systems is considered. Presently, power systems are understood by collecting data about them, computing more data, and examining the data. The data are almost always in the form of numbers. The authors describe this process in more detail, point out that the use of numerical data are often inefficient, examine techniques presently used to improve understanding, find them inadequate, and suggest that proper graphical representations should create a breakthrough in understanding. The general question is examined of when and why graphics improve understanding, and when numbers are better. General representational techniques are discussed. Existing graphical representational techniques are examined, and the current trends in user interface development are evaluated to identify the benefits and drawbacks of different characteristics of these techniques. The characteristics of an ideal graphical representation are described. These insights are applied to develop a graphical representation for one power system operating state