Dynamic Clustering for Power Grid Visualization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Visualizing power grids with dozens or hundreds of power lines and control stations is challenging for human operators, as existing methods fail to provide a clear overview, leading to information overload and difficulty in discerning relevant data.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic clustering method that abstracts power grid features into larger entities, allowing operators to control the degree of abstraction, enabling the presentation of hundreds of stations and power lines as graphical symbols on an operator terminal, with the ability to move groups closer to or further from condensation points based on user selection or automatic changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If individual power lines and control stations are displayed in detail, then information completeness is improved, but visual clarity and overview capability deteriorate due to information overload
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into multiple hierarchical levels (individual stations, clusters of stations, regional groups). Operators can navigate between these segments to view appropriate detail levels. Each level maintains complete information for its scope while avoiding the information overload of displaying all details simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the visualization, allowing operators to navigate from individual station level up through multiple levels of clustering. This dimensional approach enables complete information to be organized in a structured manner that maintains overview capability while preserving access to detailed data when needed.
2Ease of operation
If dynamic clustering is implemented to improve overview, then visual clarity is improved, but access to detailed information may be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The clustering structure is dynamic and adjustable. Operators can modify cluster formations, expand clusters to see individual stations, or reconfigure clustering based on operational needs. This dynamic capability ensures that visual clarity is maintained while detailed information remains accessible when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested hierarchical structure where individual control stations are nested within clusters, which are nested within larger regional groups. This nesting allows operators to view clustered representations for overview while being able to expand any level to access detailed information about individual stations, preserving both visual clarity and information accessibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple layers are added to hide or show different power line types, then information organization is improved, but visual complexity and difficulty in seeing trends increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different visual properties and organizational approaches are applied to different parts of the display based on their functional importance and operational context. Critical power lines and stations receive enhanced visual treatment while less critical elements are integrated into clustered representations, reducing overall visual complexity while maintaining adaptability for different operational scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A method in a power transmission or distribution system, an operator terminal in such a system as well as to a computer program product from such an operator terminal, wherein the operator terminal presents graphical objects representing electrical power transmission control stations together with graphical objects representing power lines on a display, and changes the degree of abstraction of the presentation based on an operator selection or an own selection. A change from a lower to a higher degree involves moving a group of graphical objects including control stations closer to a condensation center point on a power line that is common for this group, and a change from a higher to a lower condensation degree involves moving the group away from the condensation center point.