Scalable Cloud-Integrated Analytics and Visualization for Real-Time Smart Grid Management

The installation of new smart technologies has been growing exponentially, resulting in the creation of a large quantity of diverse data which require sophisticated tools for analysis. This paper presents CloudVIZ-GRID as a new cloud-based visual analytical framework that was developed to accommodate the severity of the big data issues in smart grids. CloudVIZ-GRID combines simple web-based grid accounts with up-to-date visualization tools and high-processing power to give a real time snap shot and ‘finger on the pulse’ of grid performance and operations, or deviations in energy usage. Using distributed data processing engines, CloudVIZ-GRID can process high velocity data feeds, and with limited latency deliver analytics output. Moreover, the application of the machine learning algorithms within the framework strengthens the predict ability and thus pre-empts the management of the grid. This study lays emphasis on the importance of addressing the issues of computation, which is even more challenging in case of complex systems such as smart grids; use of cloud based solutions enable the conversion of huge amount of data available in smart grid into valuable insights that can be helpful for grid operators and players in the energy sector. Due to having a modular structure, the CloudVIZ-GRID has the ability to change to fit future possible grids and additions, making it an essential part of the growing smart grid applications.