Integration Models for GIS Based Network Simulation and Analysis
Larry Trussell
PhD E.E
Lead Development Engineer
Jeff Kenney
Manager - Business Development
Advantica Stoner
PO Box 86, Carlisle PA 17013
larry.trussell@advanticastoner.com
Abstract
Utilities with centralized GIS are now looking to further expand their competitive advantage. A
clear step ahead is to enable distribution system simulation and engineering analysis from within
the GIS. In the past, data was extracted from the GIS. Missing data was supplemented.
Validation and data checking routines were invoked. Finally, the data was brought into an
engineering analysis product and analyzed by an engineer.
his approach moved data from the GIS to the engineer's desktop. It enabled the engineer to do his job more effectively. However, knowledge sharing is invaluable. And there is a clear
advantage to enabling more utility workers to invoke distribution analysis on a common set of
data. Running a load-flow analysis, inventory analysis, reliability, customer outage prediction, or
an economic analysis directly from within the GIS has tremendous value.
Engineers, technicians, managers, and executives throughout the company can share the results
from these applications. Results can be very detailed for those interested in details or very
general for those interested in the larger picture. Regardless of the way that results are presented
or "published", GIS based simulation and analysis is consistent. The analysis is based on the
shared corporate data of the utility. The data is acceptably current and correct.
The GIS is part of the core of most of today's utilities. It is the key to the competitiveness of
these utilities in the future. Understanding of the value of being able to tie critical data together
through a GIS has been a motivator for utilities. Understanding the efficiency to be gained by
sharing the most fundamental sorts of data throughout the utility and using that data to bind and
manage new sorts of data has led companies ahead.
The Challenge of Simulating with GIS Data
The GIS serves as the central hub for detailed granular data for large systems. Modern
engineering analysis packages run off of detailed granular data for large systems. Hence it seems
that engineering analysis should be available directly from the GIS. There are challenges with
this but more engineering analysis applications are available from many GIS systems. Basic
tracing, load analysis, and capacity studies are available for the GIS. Fault and load-flow analysis
are also available but are run on a simplified model. The problem that will be discussed in the
remainder of this paper is that GIS data and engineering analysis data are not wholly compatible.
A number of solutions for coupling engineering analysis to GIS data will be given. In each case,
a process for data management and validation must exist. That process is outlined later in this
paper. First, lets look further into the challenges and the justifications for engineering analysis
within the GIS.
Utilities must become more competitive. They are required to supply more power at a higher
quality and greater level of reliability with fewer planning engineers. The GIS is an enabling
technology to move utilities ahead. Millions of dollars and hours are invested in GIS implementation. Once the efforts have resulted in mature data sets, software, and processes, it makes sense to leverage engineering analysis. Why should engineering analysis rely on separate data sets? The GIS is a master data repository,
it has corporate support, and a formal it has corporate support and a formal process manages it.Shouldn't engineering analysis data be a subset of GIS data? If information can be
visualized in an engineering analysis package, couldn't it be visualized in a GIS?
The answer to these questions is "Sort of." Certainly engineers and information technicians do
not want redundant data. Data should come from the GIS and any changes related to facilities,
customers, or system operations should be reflected in the GIS. It is true that an engineering
model can be built from GIS data. In nearly every case, however, the process is not simple and it
is not direct. The GIS "network model" is substantially different than a "network model" used
for engineering analysis.
