Blackout USA
An educational tool for all backgrounds to understand the challenges of operating the electric grid.
The Blackout USA project was originally authored by Dr. Adam Birchfield. Through our feedback from the first outreach program, we learned how to enrich the existing application, and make it more accessible.
The full screen layout of Blackout USA Dashboard
Each subtation dialogue allows users to startup, shutdown, or change the dispatch of generation and load. They must learn what decisions prevent a blackout.
An example of the susbtation configuration modal
The sidebar provides information on the diversity of generation and load.
An example of the telemetry sidebar.
The project is packed with Accesibility features, including optional keybindings that allow players to operate the grid through only the keyboard.
Caption photos easily. On the left, a road goes through a tunnel. Middle, leaves artistically fall in a hipster photoshoot. Right, in another hipster photoshoot, a lumberjack grasps a handful of pine needles.