[Ben Ettlinger]

Here’s a response I got from a good friend, former employee of Con Edison and now a professor at CUNY’s Queens College;

Power Query is a client-side data warehouse to Extract, Transform and Load source input(s) data into a target BI Semantic Model (BISM) which can be a star or snowflake or even a non-traditional model for analysis purposes. Think of it as the implementation of the Physical Data Model (PDM). The Logical Data Model (LDM) is the design of this target BI Semantic Model (BISM) using a modeling tool or code first. The design needs to be done first before pulling the source data inputs to build the model. The strengths of the relational modeling tool that supports SQL and NOSQL models can create better NOSQL designs using a SQL model with the built-in constraints, defaults, required and user defined datatypes (domains). Designing the appropriate tables (Occam’s razor: entities should not be multiplied beyond necessity) that will be converted into sub-documents and documents with the minimum number of objects needed for the application. Eventually, transforming the standard SQL built-in constraints, default, required and user defined datatypes (domains) into JSON Schema Validation (https://docs.mongodb.com/manual/core/schema-validation ). Also, understanding JSON Schema: Structuring a complex schema (https://json-schema.org/understanding-json-schema/structuring.html ) SQL and NOSQL Modeling are blurring the boundaries, where each is adopting the strong features of the other. Traditional, data modeling tools have metadata repositories for data governance where tighter control gives greater flexibility over no control.

——————————
Ben Ettlinger
Emerging Technologies
Enterprise Architecture & Engineering Group
New York Power Authority
White Plains, NY
914 681 6496
——————————
——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 12-29-2021 09:07
From: Ben Ettlinger
Subject: Is it Engineered Data or a Data Model?

I have been in numerous meetings of late where the term  data modeling and data model has taken on wider use. For example the tool in PowerBI called Power Query which one uses to prep data for PowerBI reporting is being referred to as a modeler and the data  that has been manipulated e.g. combined files, split fields etc. is referred to as a data model. To me, a former logical data modeler, I find the use of the term data model for what’s really just manipulated  data, a bit of a misnomer. A data model is a model comprised of meta data not data. It is a model of your data not your data. What they are calling data model is really an engineered data file or data base. In our world of analytics its called a model not a data model. What do you think? 

——————————
Ben Ettlinger
Emerging Technologies
Enterprise Architecture & Engineering Group
New York Power Authority
White Plains, NY
914 681 6496
——————————

[Dan Carlson]

HI Ben,   

I think there are a lot of terms that often have different meaning depending on the local use and interpretation.  I find some terms even vary in a given local or organization.  An example of that is the use of the term “strategy” in our company.  

As far as the terms data model and data modeling go, my own interpretation is pretty basic: 

• A data model is a logical representation of reality
• Data modeling is the process of designing, developing, and utilizing a data model.   

I come from a background in engineering and business management, not data science, if that helps explain my perspective.

Dan

——————————
Dan Carlson
Manager, Special Projects and Analytics
WEC Energy Group
Green Bay WI
9204335785
——————————
——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 12-29-2021 09:07
From: Ben Ettlinger
Subject: Is it Engineered Data or a Data Model?

I have been in numerous meetings of late where the term  data modeling and data model has taken on wider use. For example the tool in PowerBI called Power Query which one uses to prep data for PowerBI reporting is being referred to as a modeler and the data  that has been manipulated e.g. combined files, split fields etc. is referred to as a data model. To me, a former logical data modeler, I find the use of the term data model for what’s really just manipulated  data, a bit of a misnomer. A data model is a model comprised of meta data not data. It is a model of your data not your data. What they are calling data model is really an engineered data file or data base. In our world of analytics its called a model not a data model. What do you think? 

——————————
Ben Ettlinger
Emerging Technologies
Enterprise Architecture & Engineering Group
New York Power Authority
White Plains, NY
914 681 6496
——————————

[Leslie Cook (Adm)]

Hello UAI Members,

Happy New Year! I wish you all a healthy, happy, and prosperous 2022! I am replying to our “Introduce Yourself” thread, because we gained quite a few new members on UAI Connect during 2021. I want to give our new and, of course, our current members an opportunity to share more about themselves, so we can get to know each other better as a community. I want to not only make this forum a place for work and professional connections to take place on a daily basis, a place to ask each other questions, find answers and exchange knowledge and share information, I want to make it a fun environment to help us all de-stress, get to know each other a little better, and build bonds and friendships of a lifetime.

One of the coolest things about the UAI community is seeing members make connections with one another-it’s incredible to watch personal and professional relationships and friendships begin, grow, evolve, and last. The more relationships that are built between us and the more we get to know each other, the more valuable our work exchanges will become. We open up, we share more, we learn more and we all become so much better together!

Our community gets bigger every day. Many of you already know one another, while others are brand-new faces. Everyone please take time to introduce yourself:

• Share your name
• Where you’re from
• How long you’ve worked in utility analytics
• I also encourage you to share non-invasive personal tidbits about yourself, i.e. what you like to do for fun, your hobbies, your pet peeves, or even your favorite memes, of course keeping it in good taste. Share things that will help us all get to know you better

I think it is important to have a little fun while we work and enjoy each other’s company. Please, use the Ask Your Network discussion forum as a place to work hard and play hard, enjoy, laugh, and have some fun.

Please reply to this discussion post to introduce yourself. Give a little of yourself and you will be surprised at how much you get in return through your valuable, purpose-built relationships via UAI.

Stay safe and healthy!

Cheers!
   
      Leslie

——————————
Leslie Cook
Membership & Digital Engagement Manager
Utility Analytics Institute (UAI)
719-203-8650, lcook@utilityanalytics.com
——————————
——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 03-18-2020 10:38
From: Leslie Cook
Subject: Introduce Yourself

Hello UAI Members,

I’m excited to try something new on UAI’s Member-Only Community. I want to not only make this forum a place for work and professional connections to take place on a daily basis, a place to ask each other questions, find answers and exchange knowledge and share information, I want to make it a fun environment to help us all de-stress, get to know each other a little better, and build bonds and friendships of a lifetime.

One of the coolest things about the UAI community is seeing members make connections with one another-it’s incredible to watch personal and professional relationship and friendships begin, grow, evolve, and last. The more relationships that are built between us and the more we get to know each other, the more valuable our work exchanges will become. We open up, we share more, we learn more and we all become so much better together!

Our community gets bigger every day. Many of you already know one another, while others are brand-new faces. I feel like it’s time that we (both new members and established ones) take a little time to introduce ourselves.

• Share your name
• Where you’re from
• How long you’ve worked in utility analytics
• I also encourage you to share non-invasive personal tidbits about yourself, i.e. what you like to do for fun, your hobbies, your pet peeves, or even your favorite memes, of course keeping it in good taste. Share things that will help us all get to know you better

I think it is important to have a little fun while we work and enjoy each other’s company. Please, use the UAI Member-Only Community as a place to work hard and play hard, enjoy, laugh, and have some fun.

I’ll kick us off, and please know you can include as much or little detail in your introduction. I’m wordy, so I went all out:

I’m Leslie, UAI’s membership & digital engagement manager. I’ve been with UAI for almost five months and I’m passionate about connecting members who share similar interests and challenges, and providing them with benefits, experiences, and tools they need to solve their problems and improve their organizations. I enthusiastically joined UAI to help improve and evolve the UAI membership value, as well as manage UAI’s collection of Communities. I am a strategic program director, dynamic business leader, and expert facilitator with over 20 years of experience. To learn even more about my professional work or to connect with me, visit my profile on UAI’s member-only site or LinkedIn. Please reach out to me directly at any time if you have questions or need anything from UAI. I can be reached at lcook@endeavorb2b.com or 646-693-5965.

I’m a Texas girl at heart, born and raised in a small town in north Texas, and then I headed out west to graduate from Texas Tech University (Go Red Raiders!). After school I moved to Colorado and I’ve lived all along the front range for the last 22 years, settling in Denver for the last six years, and I still have a Texas accent (You can take the girl out of Texas, but you can’t take the Texas accent out of the girl!). I’ve been married to my best friend from high school for 17 years, and we have two amazingly intelligent miniature Australian Shepherds, Indio and Charley, who keep us busy.

When I’m not working, I can be found traveling the world. We have been to 11 countries so far and we hope to continue to expand our adventures. I also like to leverage my high attention to detail and project management skills when dabbling in home remodeling and interior design. I come up with crazy design schemes and my patient husband implements my ideas, doing all the skilled and hard labor work. We are now close to the end of a complete remodel of our 1952 house. I cannot wait to be done with this project that has taken us about three years to complete…I can almost see the light!

I am truly excited to get to know ALL UAI’s members, so please reply to this discussion post to introduce yourself. Give a little of yourself and you will be surprised at how much you get in return through your valuable, purpose-built relationships via UAI.

Like I said, I have only been with UAI for about five months, but I’m already having so much fun and learning a lot from all of you! We have a lot of positive updates coming soon and we are evolving, with your input, to better meet your needs and goals, and I can’t wait to share these things with you. You must stay tuned into UAI’s Member-Only Community to learn more within the next few months. We will also be announcing some new things and some updates during the unique and exciting event we have coming in June 2020, UA Summit Reimagined!

Introduce yourself, learn more about others, and connect through UAI!

Stay safe and healthy,

     Leslie

——————————
Leslie Cook
Membership & Digital Engagement Manager
Utility Analytics Institute (UAI)
646-693-5965, lcook@endeavorb2b.com
——————————

[Ben Ettlinger]

AT NYPA separate people are responsible for the forecasts but all under one manager.

——————————
Ben Ettlinger
Emerging Technologies
Enterprise Architecture & Engineering Group
New York Power Authority
White Plains, NY
914 681 6496
——————————
——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2022 12:35
From: Anonymous Member
Subject: Load Forecasting Organizational Model

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

How does your organization manage the load forecasting function? Do you have a centralized team that support multiple load forecasts (short term, long term, etc.) or do you have a distributed model with dedicated resources to each type of forecasting?

[Travis Metcalfe]

We have a centralized team that does this and they leverage subject matter experts across the organization for input and feedback. We have a model that has been developed and improved upon each year. I could get you their contact information if it would be helpful. I used to use it as a direct input to some of the processes I used to manage but haven’t been as directly involved in the last couple of years.

——————————
Travis Metcalfe
Strategy, Innovation, and Engagement Manager
Tacoma Power
Tacoma WA
2535028149
——————————
——————————————-
Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2022 12:35
From: Anonymous Member
Subject: Load Forecasting Organizational Model

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

How does your organization manage the load forecasting function? Do you have a centralized team that support multiple load forecasts (short term, long term, etc.) or do you have a distributed model with dedicated resources to each type of forecasting?