Data extraction from a geographic information system for power system applications

This paper presents a preliminary design of an automated mapping/facilities management (AM/FM) system based on an integrated geographic information system (GIS). The GIS provides an environment for building an electric facilities database which includes graphic information and facility attribute data. The database can be used for engineering analysis, accounting and map production. Facility and network data can be retrieved by searching through the graphic and nongraphic data files. The retrieved data can then be used to form input data files for power system applications. With the powerful graphic capability of the system, simulation results can be viewed from the computer screen along with the graphic displays. In this paper, the integration of the GIS database and application software is illustrated by using a three-phase load flow program. The structure of the GIS database is introduced, and the interface programs are described. It is also shown that with the aid of GIS the facility statistic reports on system facilities can be easily established