Powersurge: A serious game on power transmission networks

Abstract

In this paper, we present an interactive serious game about power transmission systems. The system familiarizes novices with the basic design and behavior of such systems. Using simple drag and drop interactions, power plants and consumers are placed and connected in a virtual landscape that is presented from an isometric perspective. A series of tutorials fosters the user’s mastery in building and controlling a complex system. The advanced user is challenged by tasks such as the redesign of an established power infrastructure to integrate a large percentage of regenerative power plants. Next to the interface, we detail the model that drives the simulation. The methodologies presented in this paper can be applied to a wide range of serious games about complex network designs.