Utility Data Web Page Design—Mining the Data

Abstract

This article focuses on how to design a utility data web page
interface that is both intuitive and easy to use. Users need to be able
to quickly drill down through the data with minimal mouse clicks to
investigate changes in meter data. Using the correct combination of op-
tions and links, hundreds of reports can be produced easily and quickly
from one interface. Just like the dashboard of an automobile informs
us of the inner workings of our cars, this interface can inform users of
the inner workings of any facility or complex of facilities. This method,
combined with interactive reports as described in Utility Data Web
Page Design—Presenting the Data from Information Technology for Energy
Managers—Volume I, makes an intuitive and robust utility reporting
web application part of an energy information system (EIS). It helps us
discover relationships, such as trends in our energy consumption over
time or comparisons between similar facilities, which might otherwise
go unnoticed.