Minimizing user interaction in energy management systems: Task adaptive visualization

Task Adaptive Visualization (TAV) is a mechanism that improves the user interface (UI) of the Energy Management System (EMS) through which an operator controls the power system. In the present UI, the information required to perform a task is often scattered throughout the EMS. Operators must look in many places for information which requires UI manipulation. This paper develops the concept of TAV as a technique to reduce UI manipulation. TAV centers the display of information around the task being performed. It uses visualization (the use of graphics to display numbers) as the basis to display information. It adapts to user information needs and builds displays on the fly. It can assemble all the information relevant to the task being performed in one place, thus reducing user manipulation to the minimum necessary to access the data and controls required to perform a given task.