Issue link: https://resources.esri.ca/i/764154
However, with the new application, staff can display a data layer superimposed on the power plant map to find a correlation between the plant's data problem and its location. After staff find the problem and correct the data, they can re-run the validation software to ensure all errors have been corrected. This has significantly reduced the number of plant site inspections by Hydro-Quebec staff. GIS: A platform for intelligent operations Empowering Hydro-Quebec's staff with a GIS-based system for reservoir operations planning has resulted in more accurate forecasts and efficient workflows. The technology has allowed the utility to integrate several systems and software, automate various tasks and leverage a single application to support both forecasting and data validation workflows. About 75 staff in the power scheduling business unit now have access to the application through desktop visualizations. With a common view of data and powerful analysis tools, they have gained the ability to make timely, intelligent decisions. In addition, the GIS functionality programmed into the new application has been packaged as a specialized user control, which can be easily plugged into the utility's other Microsoft .NET software to extend the same powerful mapping, data visualization and spatial analysis capabilities to applications supporting other operations such as transmission lines congestion studies. A developer simply needs to add the user control with the accompanying configuration file to their new application to make the GIS functionality available. This introduces application development standards across Hydro-Quebec and reduces software development and maintenance costs. It also provides a standardized user interface for presenting maps in all applications. The new application also allows for efficient data exchange between the utility's GIS and time-series software. The GIS application can display graphs from the time-series software and the time- series software can now also display GIS views. This maximizes the return on their technology investments. With their new GIS-based reservoir operations planning application, Hydro- Quebec saves about seven hours of staff time per day in operational data validation. They have also significantly improved their ability to present and interpret weather forecasts, leading to more precise inflow predictions in support of intelligent operations. ■ Incorrect values flagged by the application can be reviewed by Hydro-Quebec staff, significantly reducing the number of plant inspections required. Data is inspected, validated and modified with time-series software, which is now integrated with the GIS application, allowing users to correct erroneous data instantly. Figure 3 — Incorporating Data Figure 4 — Further Functionality Electronic and single printed copies for distribution with permission to Esri Canada from Hydro Review June © 2016 PennWell Corporation