Spatio-temporal database design for backbone power grid of Russia

Abstract

Backbone power lines in Russia have a complex spatial structure. There are no systematized and topologically consistent spatio-temporal data about them. however, the study of their evolution requires not only data mining, but also a comprehensive design of the structure of the spatio-temporal database. The structure should provide effective data storage, be convenient for filling the database and editing data, provide the ability to reconstruct the network for a given period and apply spatial analysis methods. Open sources like power grid operator reports, schemes and programs of power grid development, public cadastral map, information from Situational and Analytical Center of the Ministry of Energy and very high spatial resolution remote sensing data are the main data sources. Users do not have direct access to the database but refer to it using queries. Interaction with the database is carried out through Application programming Interface (API). This allows downloading data from the database as well as embedding them into external systems, for example, connecting analysis tools to them, creating cartographic web applications with this data. Data preprocessing is performed in python using the Arcpy module, the database is created with PostgreSQl, the API works on PostgREST. Consistent multi-temporal spatial database serves as the basis for analyzing the structural features of electrical networks, makes it possible to visualize the history of the development of the power grid of the territory in an interactive web-based mapping application, allows to apply geoprocessing tools and special network analysis tools. The detailed study of the evolution of backbone power grids is crucial in long-term strategies for the development of the power grid. Abroad, studies of the evolution of electrical networks usually operate with a schematic graph of a network without reference to real spatial geometry, therefore, there is no problem of designing the structure of spatio-temporal database. yet, ignoring topomorphological relationships in the network leads to the loss of information about electrical networks, which leads to a loss in the quality of spatial analysis.