## 3 The F-Channel Platform
### Forecasting Module  
The forecasting module of F-channel is capable of forecasting meteorological factors, load flow, voltage profile simulations, and solar and wind energy generation (known for their unpredictable power output). The GEOGRID solution that was created because of the OneNet Open Call is integrated within the Forecasting module of F-channel and includes a georeferenced map presentation that was produced as part of the Forecasting module's appropriate GUI.  
The Forecasting module was created with the concept that users should have the choice to turn off all other parameters and only view the predetermined set of parameters that interests them. Accordingly, layers were constructed on the georeferenced map of the area of interest, each of them corresponding to a different meteorological characteristic or grid part in these areas. Figure 3 displays the selected area's grid layers, which include grid elements such as nodes, generating units, and lines.  
Figure 3: The grid layers of the F-channel platform.  
The results of the load flow and voltage condition calculations are displayed on the map in accordance with the principle of color coding. What should be emphasized, however, is that each calculated parameter (loadings of the lines, voltages of the nodes, etc.) has a separate layer all to itself, allowing the user to toggle their projection on the map according to their preferences. Figure 4 shows a portion of the map that has been zoomed in to reveal more details and the outcomes of the calculations.  
The Forecasting module also includes weather layers, which display forecasts of climatic indicators, important for the operation of various components of the power system. The temperature values are displayed on the map, in Figure 5, which is crucial because temperature variations can have an impact on a variety of system components, including lines (for which a rise in temperature reduces transmission capacity) and solar production units (for which the efficiency of the generation varies with temperature). This parameter is also color coded in Figure 5.  
Figure 4: The grid layers of the F-channel platform zoomed in.  
Figure 5: The weather layers of the F-channel platform regarding temperature.  
The visibility of the electricity cables and grid nodes in Figure 5, even if the temperature characteristic was chosen to be shown there, accurately implies that the user can have simultaneous access to the grid and weather layers of the Forecasting module, enabling them to draw some inferences or identify correlations that might otherwise go unnoticed. In Figure 6, the weather layer of the F-channel platform is shown, with cloud coverage chosen as the meteorological characteristic of interest rather than temperature.  
Cloud coverage is a crucial characteristic for solar power plants, since the sudden appearance of a cloud can quickly bring the output power of a solar panel to zero. As a result, it is beneficial to be able to track whether there are any clouds in the area of interest and whether there will be any in the hours to come. The precipitation characteristic is investigated within Figure 7 as the last example of the weather layers.  
Figure 6: The weather layers of the F-channel platform regarding cloud coverage.  
Figure 7: The weather layers of the F-channel platform regarding precipitation.