Improving the quality of data logistics in energy monitoring

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Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Perustieteiden korkeakoulu | Master's thesis

Date

2024-06-24

Department

Major/Subject

Human-Computer Interaction and Design

Mcode

SCI3020

Degree programme

Master's Programme in ICT Innovation

Language

en

Pages

160 + 6

Series

Abstract

This project addresses the enhancement of data quality logistics through optimized data visualization in renewable energy monitoring systems, with a focus on improving usability and trustworthiness. Improving the usability of data visualizations in renewable energy systems is crucial for effective monitoring, quick identification of data issues, and ensuring data reliability, which are essential for energy sustainability, thus having a direct impact on the environmental and societal well-being. The research focused on two main questions: how different data visualizations impact the quick identification of data quality issues, and how various visual elements affect the trustworthiness of the data. To answer these questions, a comprehensive literature review was conducted, and two distinct dashboards were designed: a meter data dashboard and a monitoring dashboard. These dashboards underwent multiple prototype iterations and were evaluated using traditional usability evaluations, longitudinal usability evaluations, and user interviews. The qualitative data used for the study was gathered from these evaluations and interviews. The results indicated improvements in both perceived and inherent usability across the iterations, and the key factors for quickly identifying outliers included color, highlighting, customization, interactions, dashboard layout, and information architecture. Regarding the increase of data trustworthiness, crucial factors were color, context, and accurately informing users of inaccuracies. These findings contribute to better data visualization practices in renewable energy monitoring systems, although they can be extrapolated to any other field which can benefit from data visualizations.

Description

Supervisor

Nieminen, Marko

Thesis advisor

Fàbrega Ferrer, Eloi

Keywords

energy management, data visualizations, dashboard design, system usability scale, traditional usability tests, longitudinal usability tests

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Citation