Accessibility of data

Usually utilities use Geographic Informa-

tion Systems (GIS) to store their assets.

No matter how well the databases are

maintained, it can be quite a task to visu-

alize the trajectory of just a single cable

with its joints on a map. Moreover, there

is no information about its behavior in

the network with changing loads.

GIS systems are simply not designed to

do calculations nor present calculations

results.

For calculations on the distribution

network, load fl ow applications such as

Vision Network Analysis are used. Each of

these applications work with schematic

views of the network.

Vision Grid Navigator simultaneously

presents the geographical information

from the GIS system, with the load

fl ow information from Vision Network

Analysis, or with live data that come from

modern “smart” grids.

Management decision tool

Therefore Vision Grid Navigator makes it

possible to actually make good use of

the multitude of data every network gen-

erates on an every day base. It provides

stunning visuals, allowing better deci-

sion making.

vision power range / vision grid navigator phase to phase vision power range / vision grid navigator phase to phase

vision grid navigator

You have never seen your network this way

Hendrik Antoon Lorentz (1853-1928)

• Open networks geographi-

cally from a map.

• Selections in schematic

editor are automatically

taken over in the

geographic view and vice

versa.

• Attributes of lines (cables)

and nodes can be accessed

geographically.

• Colours of lines and nodes

(i.e. after a load fl ow

calculation) are taken over

in the geographic view.

• Graphic editing of

geographic coordinates

from lines and nodes.

• Extensive hints with line

or node information on

mouse over.

• 3D presentation of map,

network and calculation

results.

• Optional transparent layer

on map surface for better

presentation.

• Transparent polygons for

visualizing areas of feeder

sections.

• Geocoding of cities, streets

and zip codes.

• Import of external overlays

on map.

• Optional aerial

photographs.

System requirements

Minimum: PC with

Windows™ 2000 (incl.

DirectX™9) or XP (Service

pack 2) or Vista™, graphics

card compatible with

DirectX™9.

Recommended: XP (Service

pack 3, 1GB RAM) or Vista™

(2GB RAM), graphics card

with DirectX™9 hardware

support and 512MB RAM.

vision grid navigator

Overview

Short-circuit power in a rural area

For optimal benefi t of Vision

Grid Navigator Phase to Phase

recommends a double screen

with 3D mouse.

Vision Grid Navigator makes it possible to geographically navigate your networks. Geographic and schematic view of networks act together seamlessly. Vision Grid Navigator uses DirectX™ for fast performance drawing and eye-catching visualisation techniques.

Phase to Phase

Phase to Phase focuses on software development

for transmission and distribution network analy-

sis. The vision is to introduce and enhance the

network analysis for a broad range of engineers

by means of innovative products.

The fulfi lment of this vision is supported by the

growing sense of cost in planning, development

and management of the electrical infrastructure.

The products are used by electricity companies,

industry and consultants for network develop-

ment and analysis.

Phase to Phase BV

Utrechtseweg 310, 6812 ar Arnhem

Postbus 100, 6800 ac Arnhem,

The Netherlands

t: +31(0)26 352 37 00

info@phasetophase.nl www.phasetophase.nl

PTP_Cired A3plusvellen.indd 3 22-04-2009 12:42:29

vision power range / vision grid navigator phase to phase vision power range / vision grid navigator phase to phase

colours change when, for example,

another view is selected or a calculation

is done.

Interaction

The user can select lines or nodes by

clicking them or drawing a selection rect-

angle in the geographic view. The

selection in the schematic view is au-

tomatically updated. When the mouse

pointer moves over nodes or lines they

start blinking. In this way the complete

trajectory of a specifi c cable can easily be

seen. When the mouse pointer moves

over lines lying upon each other, an

extended hint is shown with the informa-

tion of each individual line.

The information given in the hints can

be confi gured by the user.

Filters

The results of the load fl ow calculation

can be fi ltered by an adjustable selection

criterion. There are two type of fi lters one

for line loads and one for nodal voltages.

If the user selects a fi lter, the whole net-

work is drawn in a gray colour. Then for

instance, only those lines can be high-

lighted that have a load of more than

70 percent. When adjusting the fi lter

sliders, the objects that meet the criteria

are instantaneously highlighted.

3D scene

The 3D map model implementation

enables views from a certain horizontal

and vertical angle towards the scene.

The 3D model gives an extra dimension

for presentation purposes. The user can

select 3D bar graphs for viewing calcula-

tion results such as nodal short-circuit

power or nodal voltages.

Also, some attributes of nodes such as

amount of load, generation or number

of customers can be shown in 3D bars.

In this way the geographic distribution

of this kind of information can easily be

interpreted and used within the utility.

Overlays

Different map overlays can be imported

and shown on the map. The import fi le

format is the widely used Google Earth

format KML.

For instance new plans for developing

new residential or industrial areas can be

imported and taken into account when

designing networks.

Aerial photographs

When more detail is wanted aerial pho-

tographs can be shown as background.

The photographs have a resolution of

0.25m per pixel. The accuracy of this

photographic background on the Dutch

RD projection grid is better than Google

Maps/Earth’s implementation.

The photographic background has the

same performance as the map.

Practical approach

With Vision Grid Navigator the Vision

Network Analysis application is extended

with an geographical viewer and editor.

Instead of the detailed and demanding

maps used in GIS applications a simple

but widely used Falk digital map is taken

as a background. On this map locations

and surroundings are easily identifi ed.

Questions like: “On which side of the

road is a cable buried?” or “Is a specifi c

load in an industrial area?” are quickly

answered.

Implementation

The map can be zoomed fl uently from

country to street level thanks to a high

speed tile implementation. The whole

map is implemented as a DirectX™ 3D

model and can be tilted and rotated.

The use of DirectX™ enables fast semi-

transparent polygons and bars, blinking

of lines and blinking of nodes.

Navigation

The main screen of Vision Grid Naviga-

tor consists of a map area and a tabbed

page with a tree view component on

the left. In this tree view networks can

be added. Most Dutch utilities subdi-

vide their service area into separate

MV networks. Each network in the tree

view correspond with a blue square on

the map and represents the location

of the network. By double clicking on a

blue square or item in the tree view the

corresponding network is opened. The

network is drawn schematically in Vision

Network Analysis, and geographically in

Vision Grid Navigator.

Geographical coordinates

In Vision Grid Navigator nodes, lines and

joints are shown on the map when their

geographical XY-coordinates are present.

These coordinates can be imported from

the GIS of the utility. A line, e.g. a cable,

can have many coordinates according to

its trajectory. A node, e.g. a distribution

transformer station, always has one co-

ordinate. When the trajectory of a line is

not known it will be drawn as a straight

line between its nodes.

In edit mode the user can graphically

move, add or remove coordinates from

lines and nodes.

Appearance

In the tab page on the left of the screen,

several settings can be made that

change the appearance of the drawn

scene on the map. With sliders, line

width, node size, sleeve size and text

size are adjustable. An adjustable trans-

parent colour layer is available for better

contrast between network and map

background.

The colour of the lines and nodes in

the geographic view correspond to the

colours in the schematic view. These

vision grid navigator

Schematic and geographic views interacting together

Polygons of MV feeders MV network in 3D scene Corresponding geographic view in 3D sceneNodal load or generation in schematic view

PTP_Cired A3plusvellen.indd 4 22-04-2009 12:42:32

vision power range / vision grid navigator phase to phase vision power range / vision grid navigator phase to phase

colours change when, for example,

another view is selected or a calculation

is done.

Interaction

The user can select lines or nodes by

clicking them or drawing a selection rect-

angle in the geographic view. The

selection in the schematic view is au-

tomatically updated. When the mouse

pointer moves over nodes or lines they

start blinking. In this way the complete

trajectory of a specifi c cable can easily be

seen. When the mouse pointer moves

over lines lying upon each other, an

extended hint is shown with the informa-

tion of each individual line.

The information given in the hints can

be confi gured by the user.

Filters

The results of the load fl ow calculation

can be fi ltered by an adjustable selection

criterion. There are two type of fi lters one

for line loads and one for nodal voltages.

If the user selects a fi lter, the whole net-

work is drawn in a gray colour. Then for

instance, only those lines can be high-

lighted that have a load of more than

70 percent. When adjusting the fi lter

sliders, the objects that meet the criteria

are instantaneously highlighted.

3D scene

The 3D map model implementation

enables views from a certain horizontal

and vertical angle towards the scene.

The 3D model gives an extra dimension

for presentation purposes. The user can

select 3D bar graphs for viewing calcula-

tion results such as nodal short-circuit

power or nodal voltages.

Also, some attributes of nodes such as

amount of load, generation or number

of customers can be shown in 3D bars.

In this way the geographic distribution

of this kind of information can easily be

interpreted and used within the utility.

Overlays

Different map overlays can be imported

and shown on the map. The import fi le

format is the widely used Google Earth

format KML.

For instance new plans for developing

new residential or industrial areas can be

imported and taken into account when

designing networks.

Aerial photographs

When more detail is wanted aerial pho-

tographs can be shown as background.

The photographs have a resolution of

0.25m per pixel. The accuracy of this

photographic background on the Dutch

RD projection grid is better than Google

Maps/Earth’s implementation.

The photographic background has the

same performance as the map.

Practical approach

With Vision Grid Navigator the Vision

Network Analysis application is extended

with an geographical viewer and editor.

Instead of the detailed and demanding

maps used in GIS applications a simple

but widely used Falk digital map is taken

as a background. On this map locations

and surroundings are easily identifi ed.

Questions like: “On which side of the

road is a cable buried?” or “Is a specifi c

load in an industrial area?” are quickly

answered.

Implementation

The map can be zoomed fl uently from

country to street level thanks to a high

speed tile implementation. The whole

map is implemented as a DirectX™ 3D

model and can be tilted and rotated.

The use of DirectX™ enables fast semi-

transparent polygons and bars, blinking

of lines and blinking of nodes.

Navigation

The main screen of Vision Grid Naviga-

tor consists of a map area and a tabbed

page with a tree view component on

the left. In this tree view networks can

be added. Most Dutch utilities subdi-

vide their service area into separate

MV networks. Each network in the tree

view correspond with a blue square on

the map and represents the location

of the network. By double clicking on a

blue square or item in the tree view the

corresponding network is opened. The

network is drawn schematically in Vision

Network Analysis, and geographically in

Vision Grid Navigator.

Geographical coordinates

In Vision Grid Navigator nodes, lines and

joints are shown on the map when their

geographical XY-coordinates are present.

These coordinates can be imported from

the GIS of the utility. A line, e.g. a cable,

can have many coordinates according to

its trajectory. A node, e.g. a distribution

transformer station, always has one co-

ordinate. When the trajectory of a line is

not known it will be drawn as a straight

line between its nodes.

In edit mode the user can graphically

move, add or remove coordinates from

lines and nodes.

Appearance

In the tab page on the left of the screen,

several settings can be made that

change the appearance of the drawn

scene on the map. With sliders, line

width, node size, sleeve size and text

size are adjustable. An adjustable trans-

parent colour layer is available for better

contrast between network and map

background.

The colour of the lines and nodes in

the geographic view correspond to the

colours in the schematic view. These

vision grid navigator

Schematic and geographic views interacting together

Polygons of MV feeders MV network in 3D scene Corresponding geographic view in 3D sceneNodal load or generation in schematic view

PTP_Cired A3plusvellen.indd 4 22-04-2009 12:42:32

Accessibility of data

Usually utilities use Geographic Informa-

tion Systems (GIS) to store their assets.

No matter how well the databases are

maintained, it can be quite a task to visu-

alize the trajectory of just a single cable

with its joints on a map. Moreover, there

is no information about its behavior in

the network with changing loads.

GIS systems are simply not designed to

do calculations nor present calculations

results.

For calculations on the distribution

network, load fl ow applications such as

Vision Network Analysis are used. Each of

these applications work with schematic

views of the network.

Vision Grid Navigator simultaneously

presents the geographical information

from the GIS system, with the load

fl ow information from Vision Network

Analysis, or with live data that come from

modern “smart” grids.

Management decision tool

Therefore Vision Grid Navigator makes it

possible to actually make good use of

the multitude of data every network gen-

erates on an every day base. It provides

stunning visuals, allowing better deci-

sion making.

vision power range / vision grid navigator phase to phase vision power range / vision grid navigator phase to phase

vision grid navigator

You have never seen your network this way

Hendrik Antoon Lorentz (1853-1928)

• Open networks geographi-

cally from a map.

• Selections in schematic

editor are automatically

taken over in the

geographic view and vice

versa.

• Attributes of lines (cables)

and nodes can be accessed

geographically.

• Colours of lines and nodes

(i.e. after a load fl ow

calculation) are taken over

in the geographic view.

• Graphic editing of

geographic coordinates

from lines and nodes.

• Extensive hints with line

or node information on

mouse over.

• 3D presentation of map,

network and calculation

results.

• Optional transparent layer

on map surface for better

presentation.

• Transparent polygons for

visualizing areas of feeder

sections.

• Geocoding of cities, streets

and zip codes.

• Import of external overlays

on map.

• Optional aerial

photographs.

System requirements

Minimum: PC with

Windows™ 2000 (incl.

DirectX™9) or XP (Service

pack 2) or Vista™, graphics

card compatible with

DirectX™9.

Recommended: XP (Service

pack 3, 1GB RAM) or Vista™

(2GB RAM), graphics card

with DirectX™9 hardware

support and 512MB RAM.

vision grid navigator

Overview

Short-circuit power in a rural area

For optimal benefi t of Vision

Grid Navigator Phase to Phase

recommends a double screen

with 3D mouse.

Vision Grid Navigator makes it possible to geographically navigate your networks. Geographic and schematic view of networks act together seamlessly. Vision Grid Navigator uses DirectX™ for fast performance drawing and eye-catching visualisation techniques.

Phase to Phase

Phase to Phase focuses on software development

for transmission and distribution network analy-

sis. The vision is to introduce and enhance the

network analysis for a broad range of engineers

by means of innovative products.

The fulfi lment of this vision is supported by the

growing sense of cost in planning, development

and management of the electrical infrastructure.

The products are used by electricity companies,

industry and consultants for network develop-

ment and analysis.

Phase to Phase BV

Utrechtseweg 310, 6812 ar Arnhem

Postbus 100, 6800 ac Arnhem,

The Netherlands

t: +31(0)26 352 37 00

info@phasetophase.nl www.phasetophase.nl

PTP_Cired A3plusvellen.indd 3 22-04-2009 12:42:29