Aspects of Relational Database Management and Human Computer Interface Required for a Fully Integrated Load Forecasting System

Abstract

Techniques for forecasting the future load on an electricity distribution or transmission network have existed for many years. Since the various algorithms for forecasting are now well established, this paper concentrates on the other aspects of an integrated load forecasting system: database management, the human computer interface, and interworking with other computer systems. The user requirements for the system will be described, and the use of object-oriented design techniques together with relational database technology will be presented as an efficient means to achieve those requirements. Use of the Windows-Icons-Menus-Pointers philosophy is found to be desirable in order to provide a suitable human computer interface. The need for the system to obtain information from external sources and to provide forecasts to other systems has been considered and this interworking has had a major influence on the design of the system. Finally, some topics of further research are presented.