21 October 2024
Control Room X-Lab
To explore and harness new technologies we have created the X-Lab. Here, we demonstrate, test and evaluate our future ways of working in system operations.
We are a leading Transmission System Operator in Germany and Belgium. Just as air traffic controllers guide aircraft safely through the busiest skies, our dedicated transmission system operators steer the power grid through the most complex challenges. They work at the very heart of the power grid in the control room, making critical decisions every second of every day. As we develop a complete overhaul of our control centers systems with MCCS – our modular control center system - we envision not just a software revolution but a transformation of our control room workspace too.
To explore and harness new technologies we have created an Experience Lab - or X-Lab for short - for system operators. Here, we demonstrate, test and evaluate our future ways of working in system operations. The X-Lab is a space that supports hands-on, experiential testing of new human-machine interfaces (HMI) or human-computer interfaces (HCI) technologies such as interactive 3D visualization and modelling, haptic technologies and many more.
Project video
Control room challenges
Each day, our control room operators encounter numerous challenges, including:
These demands drive our pursuit of innovative solutions and reimagining the way our operators will work in the future.
X-Lab approach
At the X-Lab, we drive innovation and continuous improvement through a forward-looking, methodical approach.
We start with innovation scouting, conducting thorough market research to stay ahead of the latest tech trends.
Next, expert validation and demonstrations rigorously test and confirm the effectiveness and maturity of promising technologies. Successful tools move to prototype development, tailored to our control center's needs and tested in real-world scenarios.
Finally, proven prototypes are seamlessly integrated into our control center, ensuring minimal disruption and quick adaptation by our operators.
Our first round of selected technologies
At the X-Lab, we're leveraging cutting-edge technologies to revolutionize power grid operations:
- Our 75" Interactive Display Touch Table fosters collaborative decision-making by encouraging face-to-face discussions and displaying business-relevant info, dashboards, and various grid use cases.
- The UltraLeap Motion Leap Gesture Control, with haptic feedback, offers intuitive system interaction, inspired by the automotive and gaming industries.
- We are exploring Tobii Pro Glasses 3 and Pro Fusion Eyetracking for UI testing and operator support, to combat fatigue and ensure message visibility and alarm alerts.
- Devices like Apple Vision Pro, Meta Quest 2/3, and Hololens 2 help us explore new data presentation methods, aiming to speed up decision-making.
Control Center use cases currently in test
The X-Lab is about turning technological potential into practical application. Important is how we use and leverage the potential of the technology that makes it innovative. Here are some first results of how we're using these technologies to enhance specific control center operations:Shift Hand-Over on the Touch Table
Our interactive touch table simplifies the shift hand-over process. With all relevant information already captured in the system during the shift, are now displayed on a single screen, making transitions between shifts become seamless and ensuring uninterrupted operations.
Wind Forecast Review with Apple Vision Pro
Harnessing the power of Apple Vision Pro, we're enhancing the way we analyze data in this case, specifically wind forecasts and deviations. This technology provides a more dynamic, interactive platform for critical data review and decision-making for all kinds of data.
Training New Operators with Apple Vision Pro
Training new operators is crucial to our operations. With Apple Vision Pro, learning the grid's intricacies becomes an engaging, interactive, and enjoyable experience. This immersive approach surpasses traditional map-based methods, making the learning process faster and more effective.
New Operator Cockpit incl. Gesture Control
We have designed a new operator cockpit that envisions a completely new way operators work. An intelligent system with Smart Bots or AI identifies relevant information and triggers actions so that operators spend most of their time solving critical issues, instead of investing most of their time observing multiple dashboards and tools to potentially identify issues. This innovative interface allows operators to interact with systems in a more natural, intuitive way, promoting efficiency and ease of use in our control center operations. To achieve this, we also experiment with gesture recognition including haptic feeling by ultra-waves.
Our Next Steps
Until Q1 2025 we will collaborate closely with our control center team. Our plans include introducing the X-Lab concept, demonstrating our selected technologies, and discussing potential application scenarios. We've also scheduled dates for the development and testing of individual use case prototypes.
Furthermore, we're committed to staying on the cutting-edge of HMI & HCI technology. Our ongoing research includes exploring AI in HMI, Voice Interfaces, and BCI (Brain-Computer Interfaces).
Remember, the X-Lab is not just for control center use cases. It's an open tech lab for the entire Elia Group team. We encourage you to bring your ideas and book your slot to explore how these technologies can benefit your projects.
We also welcome collaboration with external entities that can offer unique perspectives and expertise. Whether you're a tech innovator with a groundbreaking product, a vendor skilled in creating interactive human-machine technologies, or a fellow TSO, we invite you to join us in realizing the potential of our X-Lab.
