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Google Earth Used To Predict Electrical Problems

Posted by samzenpus on from the what-can't-it-do dept.

coondoggie writes "What do you get when you combine images from Google Earth and the brainpower from researchers at Oak Ridge National Labs? Well in this case you get a tool that enables real-time status of the national electric grid that federal state and local agencies can use to coordinate and respond to major problems such as wide-area power outages, natural disasters and other catastrophic events. The Visualizing Energy Resources Dynamically on Earth (VERDE) system, announced this week, mashes together images and stats of everything from real-time status of the electric grid and weather information to power grid behavior modeling and simulation."

20 of 91 comments (clear)

  1. I predict... by gardyloo · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...that posting such a story will inspire lots of slashdotters to go download or access Google Earth, and cause electrical problems.

    1. Re:I predict... by davester666 · · Score: 5, Funny

      that Google Earth will be declared a threat to Homeland Security, and taken offline. :-(

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  2. Next project? by VoltageX · · Score: 5, Funny

    Managing Energy Resources Dynamically on Earth (MERDE).

    Oui oui!

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  3. Wha? by ejdmoo · · Score: 5, Insightful

    How exactly does Google Earth predict *anything* at all?

    What it seems is someone wrote software to analyze the electrical grid, and they use the Google Maps API to visualize the geographic data.

    Yay.

    1. Re:Wha? by Amorymeltzer · · Score: 3, Interesting

      It's definitely a dubious title, especially since TFA says almost nothing about Google. I suppose, though, that they are technically using Google Earth in their predictions, because without it they'd have to write their own/use Mapquest. I'm sure a big part of it is getting to attach Google's name to something no one outside the department and government is really interested by, and I bet Google's happy to step in. Besides, GE is probably really nice to visualize their data with. Distance from major cities or energy producers, weather, temperature, terrain, etc.

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    2. Re:Wha? by houghi · · Score: 4, Funny

      It sounds less sexy then Maps used to show location

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  4. simple google by twotailakitsune · · Score: 4, Insightful
    This is what, the 100th idea using Google Maps/Earth? they are just using the Google Maps API. Google is more open with people using Maps without paying some big Usage fee.

    What this is really about is the VERDE program. Now if Google was doing a real time status program I would have it sit on my screen all day.

    1. Re:simple google by jaminJay · · Score: 5, Funny

      Now if Google was doing a real time status program I would have it sit on my screen all day.

      That way, when the screen goes black, you'd know the power went out?

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    2. Re:simple google by SimonGhent · · Score: 4, Funny

      That way, when the screen goes black, you'd know the power went out?

      Or that the sun went down. There's just no way to tell.

      --
      simon
  5. just a question by silentphate · · Score: 3, Insightful

    If this is such a major development, why is it just now being created? Haven't we had the technology to do something like this for decades?

  6. I am skeptical... by bogaboga · · Score: 3, Insightful

    You know why? It is because data and images from Google Earth are not that up-to-date. In fact, several [new] roads in my county are not shown on Google Earth and Google Maps! So I am skeptical. Am I alone?

    1. Re:I am skeptical... by cencithomas · · Score: 4, Funny

      I believe you can get more up-to-date information by purchasing Google Earth Plus or Google Earth Pro. Not positive though and the comparison page doesn't seem to specify.

      ...in retrospect, this comment is not nearly as helpful as I'd hoped.

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    2. Re:I am skeptical... by alextmqazwsx · · Score: 5, Informative
      Referenced from here: Google Earth

      *Note: While Google Earth Plus has additional capabilities, the underlying imagery is the same for all versions of Google Earth.

  7. Sim City Stats by neostorm · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I am still waiting for Google Earth to fully encompass the feedback offered in games like Sim City, where I can search regions around the world for such things as Crime Statistics, Pollution, Economy, etc.

    There are plenty of other areas we can display information as well. They've already got traffic, terrain and now this. I am currently relocating to a new area as well, and actually tried to get crime stats on potential areas I'd be living in (thinking they may have already achieved that ability), they haven't got them yet, but I hope my wish list is not too far away.

    1. Re:Sim City Stats by littlerubberfeet · · Score: 5, Interesting

      I was researching crime before a move as well. I was stuck using an absolutely horrible web-enabled wannabe GIS thing. Having used ArcGIS, I know what a decent GIS is capable of. Google Earth is well on its way to being able to display information the way ArcView does. A buffer wizard type tool would be a wonderful thing in Google Earth...The analytical side of things is not really suitable for the Google Earth architecture though.

      Yeah, Google would do well to integrate even census data (which includes some crime, pollution and economic data) into Google Earth.

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  8. HUH??? by Jane+Q.+Public · · Score: 3, Informative

    Okay, I can see "recent" data... but anybody who really thinks that Google Earth is "realtime" is a serious candidate for the Happy Home.

    Some of the pictures are over 6 YEARS old...

    1. Re:HUH??? by kerashi · · Score: 5, Informative

      The google earth maps may not be updated, but the maps are just a backdrop upon which the data is displayed.

  9. How do I view it without electricity? by Xoc-S · · Score: 4, Funny

    If there is a power outage, how am I going to fire up my desktop machine and view Google Earth?

  10. too late by Digitus1337 · · Score: 3, Funny

    The LHC goes online in just under a day; Google Earth is going to be obsolete, so how is this newsworthy?

  11. The real news by hcdejong · · Score: 3, Insightful

    is that this is news at all:

    Major power outages in the United States over the past decade have a recurring theme - the lack of wide-area situational understanding was a key factor that contributed to blackouts.

    (emphasis mine)

    How can you expect to manage something as complex as a continental power grid without having the data you need? It's not like this capability has only recently become available.