Introduction

Description

The XY Chart Widget is a powerful visualization tool used to display relationships between two time-series variables on a two-dimensional chart. It plots X-axis values against Y-axis values, helping users identify correlations, trends, and outliers. The widget supports multiple visualization styles including scatter plots, horizontal bars, and vertical bars, and allows for enhanced customization through reference curves and multi-widget synchronization.

Purpose

This widget enables renewable energy professionals to analyze how two operational metrics interact over time—such as temperature vs. power output or wind speed vs. turbine efficiency. It supports both exploratory analysis and performance diagnostics, making it valuable for both business and technical decision-making.

Target Audience

Business Users: Energy analysts, asset managers, and operations teams seeking to understand performance drivers and correlations.
Technical Users: Engineers, data scientists, and system architects configuring analytical dashboards and reports for deeper operational insights.

Key Features & Use Cases

1. Configurable Data Points

Users can select any two time-series metrics to plot against each other.

Use Case – Solar Plant Analysis
An analyst plots ambient temperature (X) against DC power output (Y) to assess how heat impacts panel efficiency during peak hours.

2. Color Filters

Apply conditional color rules to highlight specific value ranges or performance zones.

Use Case – Wind Farm Monitoring
A scatter plot of wind speed (X) vs. power output (Y) uses color filters to highlight data points where output falls below expected levels, helping identify turbine inefficiencies.

3. Reference Curves

Overlay reference lines or curves to compare actual performance against expected or theoretical models.

Use Case – BESS Performance Review
A reference curve is added to a chart comparing state-of-charge (X) vs. discharge rate (Y) to evaluate battery behavior against manufacturer specifications.

4. Visualization Styles

Choose between scatter plots, horizontal bars, or vertical bars depending on the nature of the data and the desired visual emphasis.

Use Case – Solar Report
A vertical bar chart compares solar irradiance (X) and energy output (Y) across multiple days, helping stakeholders assess system responsiveness to sunlight levels.

Data Types Used

The XY Chart Widget uses paired time-series data structured as:

X-Axis: Time-Series Metric
Represents the independent variable (e.g., temperature, irradiance, wind speed).
Y-Axis: Time-Series Metric
Represents the dependent variable (e.g., power output, efficiency, charge level).
Optional: Series Identifier
Used to distinguish multiple assets or categories within the same chart (e.g., different turbines or battery units).
Optional: Conditional Formatting Rules
Applied to highlight specific value combinations or performance zones.
Optional: Reference Curves
Used to compare actual data against expected performance models or thresholds.
Optional: Synchronization
Used to limit the data shown in the XY Chart based on the selected asset in a linked Event Log or Asset Metric Chart widget.

This structure supports a wide range of analytical scenarios in renewable energy operations.

Widget Use in BI App Types

Use in Dashboards

In dashboards, the XY Chart Widget provides real-time correlation analysis between operational metrics. It helps users monitor asset behavior and detect anomalies as they occur.

Example – Wind Farm Operations Dashboard
A scatter plot shows wind speed vs. power output for each turbine in real time. Color filters highlight underperforming turbines, enabling quick intervention by operations teams.

Use in Reports

In reports, the widget supports historical performance analysis and efficiency studies. It helps stakeholders evaluate long-term trends and validate system models.

Example – Monthly Solar Performance Report
A report includes an XY chart comparing solar irradiance vs. energy output across the month. A reference curve shows expected output, helping identify days with suboptimal performance due to shading or equipment issues.

XY Chart showing Inverter Power Curve for one inverter

Charts