Grid FriendlyTM Grid Monitor Screensaver

Real-time grid information on your desktop screensaver

The Grid FriendlyTM Grid Monitor Screensaver allows you to monitor the power grid's frequency. It uses the frequency signals it receives from the Grid Friendly Grid Monitor server that you determine in the settings.
How it Works
Using the Grid Monitor Screensaver
Adjusting Grid Monitor Screensaver settings
Troubleshooting
How it Works
The following descriptions outline the basic process that occurs when you use the Grid Monitor Screensaver to monitor the power grid.


Figure 1.1 Screenshot of the Grid Friendly TM Grid Monitor Screensaver.

The screensaver is an integrated collection of five dynamic graphs. The graphs give a picture of the stresses on the power grid, visibly showing frequency disturbances as they occur. Power system engineers can use these curves to judge the stability of the system and detect forewarnings of impending disturbances.

Frequency Graph


Figure 1.2 Screenshot of the frequency graph.

The top most graph on the screen plots the frequency in hertz in real time. The vertical axis covers a changeable range, showing variations from thousandths of a hertz to tenths of a hertz around the target line of 60 Hz. The curve is updated in real time, with a new reading plotted every tenth of a second. The red lines are the trigger frequency deviation. Disturbances in the system may cause the frequency to rise or drop. The screensaver can be set to make an audible alarm if these boundaries are crossed.

Power Spectrum Graph


Figure 1.3 Screenshot of the Power Spectrum Graph.

The power spectrum graph shows the results of a Fast Fourier Transform giving the power levels across a range of low frequencies.

Waterfall Plot


Figure 1.4 Screenshot of the Waterfall Plot.

The waterfall plot is a time-lapse of the power spectrum graph. Each second the current power levels are added to the waterfall.

Cumulative Angle Error


Figure 1.5 Screenshot of the Cumulative Angle Error.

The Cumulative Angle Error plot shows the degree of error accumulated since the application started.

Note: No data is stored on your computer.

Using the Grid Monitor Screensaver
This section provides a brief overview of the various ways you can use the Grid Monitor Screensaver.

Starting the application

A shortcut to the Grid Monitor Screensaver is added to the list of Programs in your Start Menu. Clicking this icon will run the Grid Monitor Screensaver. When the Grid Monitor Screensaver is running, an icon displays in your system tray.

Monitoring the frequency by using the Grid Monitor Screensaver

As long as there is an active internet connection the Grid Monitor Screensaver will receive data from the server selected in the settings dialog.

Note: You must be connected to the internet for this screensaver to operate correctly.

Adjusting Grid Monitor Screensaver Settings
The settings dialog can be accessed in two ways:
1. Control Panel or Right Clickon desktop -> Display Settings -> Screensaver (Tab) -> Settings (Button).
2. Right click on any one of the shortcut icons and select configure.

Setting the Server


Figure 2.1 Screenshot of the Settings Dialog Box.

-Each time the dialog box is initialized the Grid Monitor Screensaver attempts to download a new server list file from the server.
-The server of choice is selected in the list box and set by pressing the OK button.

Add/Delete a Server


Figure 2.2 Screenshot of the Add Server Dialog.

Add a Server to the List

-By clicking the (Add Server) button a new dialog is opened as shown in Figure 2.2 Add Server Dialog.
-Fill in the Server Name, Server Address, and Server Port and click (OK) to add the server to the list.

Delete a Server from the List

-Clicking the (Delete Server) button will remove the currently selected server from the list.
-Only user added servers can be deleted from the list.

Setting the Trigger Frequency Deviation


-The Trigger Frequency Deviation can be set as a static or dynamic value.
-A static value can be set in mHz
-A dynamic value can be set by the number of hours expected between events based on the standard deviation of the data centered around 60 Hz.
-The Trigger Frequency Data entered must be within the range specified.
-An audible alarm can be enabled by checking the (Enable frequency deviation audible alarm) box. When this feature is set an alarm will sound every time an event occurs.

Setting Other Features

-Cumulative angle error enables or disables the clock shown on the right side of the screen.
-Screen Burn Protection will change the position of the plots each time the Frequency Graph reaches the end of the screen.
-Automatic updates will pop-up a message when the screensaver is closing to notify you that updates are available and prompt you to download and install the new version. It will also activate a button on the settings window which will also download and install the new version.

Troubleshooting
This section lists some of the common problems you may experience when using the Grid Monitor Screensaver.

Are you connected to the Internet?

You must be connected to the Internet to run the Grid Monitor Screensaver. The screensaver is recommended for broadband connections which are always on. The screensaver may be used with a dialup connection but this is not recommended.



This program is one of the many wonderful works completed during an awesome SULI program sponsored by the Department of Energy in which Christopher Pavese, Cody Ray and Brandon Surma were afforded the very distinct pleasure of working in each others company; and in so, developed one of the best relationships known to have come out of the 2005 PNNL SULI program.