Visualizing the grid : Data visualization for better energy efficiency

Recently in a conversation with a senior executive at Dong Energy – Denmark’s largest energy company we touched up a very interesting area for designers and data nerds. We started wondering how data visualisation can actually start impacting energy efficiency. Energy is an invisible resource that is offered as an intangible service. Today data about how the distribution patterns, efficiencies and consumption patterns are typically available as numerous data points distributed across multiple systems. Much of the data is technical i.e knowing the parameters and typically not contextual i.e why is it the way it is. Converting data to information and information to intelligence is a tedious process that is captured as tacit knowledge in the minds of employes and trapped in large systemic databases. This information could also be exciting to multiple stake holders both within an energy company and outside.

THE OPPORTUNITY : Pattern recognition in the data through visual representation can change both perception and use of data within the company. Creating visual dash boards and historic analysis tools in a beautiful aesthetic can drive new approach to network optimizations. This can have a positive domino effect as it create visibility and better co-ordiation between multiple stakeholders in the system. ‘Big data’ can have big effects only if its enable by a great interface to recognize patterns and empower people to take actions.

In this area i particularly like the GE visualisations – http://visualization.geblogs.com – they have a very nice visual representation of various energy related issues, though i wish it was a bit less awareness oriented and more rich-usable data oriented. The balance between real-heavy data and abstract-simplistic is always a hard one to strike.

I am looking for like minded collobrators to explore this very fascinating area – do drop me a line if you are working on similar thoughts.

 

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