PowerPlots: An Open Source Power Grid Visualization and Data Analysis Framework for Academic Research

Abstract: Data visualization is important for developing an understanding of a complex system. PowerPlots.jl is a data visualization tool for power grids, one of the most complex systems in the world. The design of PowerPlots.jl is intended to facilitate exploration of power grid data while performing research and to facilitate communication of research findings to an audience. Several tools created to support this software also facilitate analysis of power grid data by transforming the data into graph topology or data-frame data formats that are more compatible for some applications. The high level of flexibility in PowerPlots.jl enables researchers who are developing and analyzing methods for solving novel power grid problems to better understand and communicate the complexities of their research.