Program to Evaluate Alternative Energy Sources

1. Program to Evaluate Alternative Energy Sources May08-03 GroupAdvisors Brad Smith Dr. John Lamont GraigSchadle Prof. Ralph Patterson MukulSabharwal Mr. Steve Larsen Ethan Wilder

2. Problem Statement • Current Residents may be Unsatisfied with Energy Provider • No Knowledge of Alternatives • Need a Tool to Help Research and Plan

3. Solution • Web Application • Simple Form • Information • Takes User Data • Provides Feasible Sources • Costs

4. Block Diagram

5. Requirements • Implement Dec07-03 • No Downloading • Simultaneous Usage • User Friendly Web Application • User Inputs • Program Outputs

6. Key Specifications • The Input Form shall Handle Alerts • The Load Database shall Provide Common Loads • The Load Processor shall Handle Three Different Scenarios • The Form Processor shall Handle All Non-Load Data • The Web Application shall Provide Extensive Help

7. Dec07-03 • Two Separate Parts to Input Form • Form Information • Load Information • Eight Different Excel Outputs • Two Sources • Solar • Wind • Four Focuses Each: • Cheapest per Watt from Manufacturer • Cheapest per Watt after Market • Lowest Cost • Most Efficient

8. Form Information • Handled by Form Processor • Two Types of Input: • Direct Questions From Excel • “Allowable Tower Height in Your Area?” • “Do You Want Battery Backup?” • Formula Inputs • “Maximum Demand” • “Energy Conservation Questions”

9. Load Processor Flow Chart

10. Output

11. PHP-Excel Bridge • Problem • PHP has No Native API for Excel 2007 • Excel 2007  Excel 2003 Breaks Some Functionality • Three Solutions • Write Native Drivers for Excel 2007 (Since it’s Basically XML)‏ • Using CLR Automation • Expose ADO.NET Layer for Excel 2007 • All Solutions Work • The API this Bridge Exposes Remains the Same

12. Excel Bridge Interaction Validates Input Inputs Info Internet User Excel Bridge Internet User Input API HTML Output MS/Excel API Dec07-03 Excel Engine

13. Profile Manager

14. Hold Ups • Server Delayed Three Weeks: • Server Can't/Won't Support MySQL + PHP • Have to Write Alternative DB • File Based • Encapsulated by Object

15. Prototype

16. Testing • System Requirements • Browser Testing • Form Testing • Profile Testing • Multiple User Testing • Speed Testing • Alpha – Given to Advisors/Team • Beta – Given to People Unrelated to Project

17. Testing: Browser • Test If Site Works on Three Major Browsers (Req. 2.4.9)‏ • Mozilla Firefox Version 2 • Dynamic Table Issue - Fixed • Internet Explorer: 7 and Above • Sidebar Issues – Fixed • Safari Version 3

18. Testing: Form and Profile • Form • Movement Testing (Req. 2.4.5)‏ • Jump To Page • Next and Back Buttons • Error Testing • Numeric Values • Form Completion • Profile • Creation Testing • Loading Testing • Memory Testing

19. Testing: Excel Bridge • Multiple User Testing (Req. 2.4.2)‏ • Five Simultaneous Users • Speed Testing (Req. 2.4.1)‏ • Under Five Minutes to Output • Memory Testing (Req. 2.4.10)‏ • No Memory Leaks (No Leftovers)‏ • Under 50 MB

20. Test Results • Works in All 3 Browsers • File Storage Within 50MB • Multi-User Support • Runtime < 5 min

22. Earned Value Analysis

23. What We Learned • Teamwork • Time Management • Deadline Management • Reporting

24. Conclusions • Began with a Previous Project Built for Customers with Technical Knowledge • Developed it into a User-Friendly Web Application • Website Provides Links for Further Information • Has Become a Tool for Information on Alternative Energy Sources

25. Questions?