A relational database approach to design of power plant and large industrial electrical facilities

An approach is described that utilizes a relational database for data storage, accessible directly for computational purposes during different stages of plant design, and for maintenance and expansion purposes as the future requires. Examples that use the database for design and verification are included. The authors describe how error-prone manual steps can be eliminated by handling data automatically for calculations, extracting from the database those values which were the results of prior calculations. Particular emphasis is placed on the electrical computer analysis package (ECAP) used for the design specification and analysis of electrical power systems.<>