International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering (IJECE)

Vol. 10, No. 1, February 2020, pp. 575~580

ISSN: 2088-8708, DOI: 10.11591/ijece.v10i1.pp575-580  575

A survey of big data and machine learning

Surender Reddy Salkuti

Department of Railroad and Electrical Engineering, Woosong University, Republic of Korea

Article Info ABSTRACT

Article history: This paper presents a detailed analysis of big data and machine learning
(ML) in the electrical power and energy sector. Big data analytics for smart
Received Apr 3, 2019 energy operations, applications, impact, measurement and control, and
Revised Sep 12, 2019 challenges are presented in this paper. Big data and machine learning
Accepted Sep 27, 2019 approaches need to be applied after analyzing the power system problem
carefully. Determining the match between the strengths of big data and
machine learning for solving the power system problem is of utmost
Keywords: important. They can be of great help to plan and operate the traditional
grid/smart grid (SG). The basics of big data and machine learning are
Big data described in detailed manner along with their applications in various fields
Distribution systems such as electrical power and energy, health care and life sciences,
Machine learning government, telecommunications, web and digital media, retailers, finance,
Microgrid e-commerce and customer service, etc. Finally, the challenges and
Power and energy opportunities of big data and machine learning are presented in this paper.
Smart grid
Copyright © 2020 Institute of Advanced Engineering and Science.
All rights reserved.

Corresponding Author:
Surender Reddy Salkuti,
Department of Railroad and Electrical Engineering,
Woosong University,
17-2, Jayang-Dong, Dong-Gu, Daejeon 34606, Republic of Korea.
Email: [email protected]

1. INTRODUCTION
Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies can improve the conversation and cooperation of human and
machine. These technologies are used for better interactions between human and machines. Now, we are
living in a time of huge information, i.e., an age described by quick gathering of pervasive data. In numerous
enterprises, it is developing and giving a way to enhance and streamline business. Numerous fields and
segments, going from financial and business exercises to open organization, from national security to logical
research in numerous territories, are associated with huge information issues [1]. Huge information has
changed the world as far as anticipating client conduct. The introduction of huge information cannot abstain
from specifying another current prominent term, interpersonal organizations and the connection between
the two is self-evident, yet convoluted. During the last few years, wind, solar, hydro and nuclear power
companies have greatly benefited from the power of AI, big data, machine learning and predictive models.
They used these technologies to make better predictions, to increase their portfolio’s rate of return and to
lower their costs [2].
AI came into picture in early fifties and sixties. It was mostly about enabling machines to do things
on their own in programming machines which later increased into something like robotics and then in early
90s till 2010 we had this machine learning coming into picture where so many different kind of algorithms
and approaches and different kind of theories were discovered and rented in order to begin machine to start
learning on their own and then from 2010 onwards a new field which is a subset of artificial intelligence (AI),
and machine learning (ML) is the subset of AI, and deep learning is a subset of ML which started
in early 2010. ML is an interdisciplinary field which allows us to achieve some sort of AI by using
statistical techniques [3].

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Huge information and interpersonal organizations are reliant, on the grounds that the majority of
present information is produced from person to person communication destinations, yet enormous
information is not generally helpful. The real test of huge information is not in gathering it, however in
overseeing it and also comprehending it. A few instruments are being intended to better comprehend the part
of gigantic measure of information in enhancing business. Analysts and specialists are endeavouring to
investigate the eventual fate of huge information to extricate more advantages. Numerical conventional
approaches are computationally expensive, and hence it is difficult to use for the on-line security assessment.
ML approaches with their learning capabilities, high speed of identifying the potential security boundaries
and pattern recognition can offer an alternative method [4].
Reference [5] presents the definition of big data application scenarios through examples in different
segments of transportation and energy sectors. Reference [6] proposes a platform which can provide
a technical solution to multidisciplinary cooperation of smart grid (SG) monitoring and big data technology.
An assessment of distinguished aspects in big data analytics developments in the domain of power systems
has been presented in [7]. A new core-broker-client system architecture for big data analytics is proposed
in [8]. An overview and potential of big data for smart energy management system is presented in [9].
The ongoing work of application of ML on dynamic security assessment of power systems is
addressed in [10]. A comprehensive review of applications of deep learning approaches on machine health
monitoring tasks is presented in [11]. Machine learning for hourly solar forecasting application is proposed
in [12]. Reference [13] reviews the ML models that are used for condition monitoring in wind turbines.
Reference [14] presents an attack detection model for power systems based on ML that can be trained by
using information and logs collected by phasor measurement units. A method to address the problem of
suggesting the most suitable components for each user by creating a recommender system using intelligent
data analysis is proposed in [15]. Reference [16] trains a ML model to predict the duration of big data
workloads.
First, this paper presents the concepts of big data analytics and ML techniques. One need to
determine the power system problem where we need to apply the ML or big data. If the problem can be
solved with classical methods with desired accuracy within the time frame, then there is no requirement of
these AI techniques. Generally, the ML is used for forecasting, as there is an availability of lot of data.
If we have a rich data set, the ML can narrow down the data based on model based approach or observed
data. ML will not give satisfactory results for highly complex and dynamic problems of power systems,
such as load flow, contingency analysis, transient stability analysis, etc.

2. CONCEPTS OF BIG DATA AND MACHINE LEARNING

2.1. Big data
Big data is the large sets of data that are computationally analyzed to reveal the trends and patterns
related to a certain aspect of data. It is the process to deliver decision-making insights. It uses technology and
people to analyze large amounts of data of various types (structured, unstructured and semi-structured data)
quickly from a variety of sources to produce a stream of actionable knowledge. Generally, the big data is
found in 3 forms, i.e., structured, unstructured and semi-structured [17]. The data which can be stored,
accessed and processed in the form of fixed format is defined as structured data. Whereas, the unstructured
data is in unknown form/structure, and as the size of this data is huge, it poses several challenges in terms of
its processing for extracting value out of it. Semi-structured data can contain both structured and unstructured
forms of data [18].
Big data analytics examines the large data sets that contain various data types to reveal unseen
patterns, market trends, hidden correlations, customer preferences, and other useful information. The access
and utilization of this huge data can be split into six parts, and they are data extraction, storage, cleaning,
mining, analysis, and finally data visualization. The characteristics of big data include volume, variety,
velocity, variability and value [19]. Volume is the size of data content generated that needs to be analyzed.
Velocity is the speed at which new data is generated, and the speed at which data moves. Variety is the types
of data that can be analyzed. Veracity is the trustworthiness of the data. Value is the ability to turn big data
into clear business value, which requires access and analysis to produce meaningful output.

2.2. Machine learning (ML)

ML is the science which give the computers the ability to learn and predict from the experience
without explicitly programmed. If a computer program can improve its performance by learning from
previous experience then one can say that it has learned. Machine learning is more closed to data analysis
rather than AI. Machine learning uses algorithms that allow computers to iteratively learn from data. In past
decades, ML has reached to a new level. ML has given us self-driving car, effective web search, human voice

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recognition, image recognition and many more [20]. Every day we use it several times without knowing it.
The process of ML is depicted in Figure 1.

Training Data

Machine Learning
Algorithm

Machine Learning
Hypothesis Performance
Representation

Figure 1. Machine learning (ML) process

It is like predicting the future. The companies would already know what kind of decision you are
going to take any given certain situations. If certain parameters, they are provided to you what would be your
reaction because they know in past you have done something like this and you have a set of data your data is
with them that every time when you have into such kind of environment, you do certain kind of actions
companies can predict it and this is what is done as a part of machine learning, where data is provided feature
extraction takes place. Then a predictive model is calculated and this predictive model is then rolled out for
the users for which data was taken [21].
ML consists of two phases, i.e., learning and prediction phases. Figure 2 depicts learning phase of
ML process. Supervised, unsupervised, semi-supervised and reinforcement learnings are the some popular
machine learning types. Supervised learning requires humans to train by providing inputs and desired
output [22]. Unsupervised learning is opposite to the supervised learning, which learns by its own without
any labeled response. In the supervised and unsupervised leanings there is either labeled data or unlabeled
data, whereas semi-supervised learning uses both labeled and unlabeled data for training. Reinforcement
learning algorithms learns by trial and error method in which actions yield greatest reward. This algorithm is
a ML as well as branch of AI. The prediction phase of ML uses the developed model and the new data is fed
to this model. The predicted data is going to be available by using the ML algorithm [23].

Learning Error Analysis

Pre-processing Supervised
Training Normalization Precision
Unsupervised
Data Image processing Over fitting
Semi-supervised
Dimension reduction Test and validation
Reinforced

Figure 2. Learning phase of machine learning (ML) process

Some of the common ML algorithms used include regression analysis, clustering, association
rule mining and collaborative filtering. Regression analysis helps to predict the relation between two
variables (i.e., dependent and independent variables). In the clustering algorithm, the classifier tries to
find some structure from given data set without known classification. Association rule mining tries to find
the association between objects, also known as affinity analysis. It is used to find what goes with
what [24-25]. It is basically a set of analytical techniques that is used to uncover connections and associations
between objects. Collaborative filtering is a technique of predicting user preferences based on the preference
of group of users. This technique is used when we need more complex information than keyword.

3. BIG DATA AND MACHINE LEARNING (ML) APPLICATIONS

Industries which uses large amounts of data have recognized the value of big data and ML.
By working with big data and ML organizations can work efficiently and can gain advantage over
competitors [18]. The applications of big data and ML are presented in the following subsections.

A survey of big data and machine learning (Surender Reddy Salkuti)

578  ISSN: 2088-8708

3.1. Big data applications

The major applications of big data are presented in Table 1 [26].

Table 1. Applications of big data in various industries

Industries Applications of Big data
Electrical power and Generation systems, distribution and utilities systems: electricity theft detection, detection of electric
energy vehicles, phase connectivity identification, transformer to customer association; smart grid applications such
as wide area situational awareness, event classification and detection, transient power prediction, fault
detection/ prevention, forecasting weather, load demand, wind speed and solar irradiation data, control
problems, state estimation and to support the participation of market agents in electricity markets [27].
Health care and life Disease pattern analysis, chain management, clinical trials data analysis, drug discovery and development
sciences analysis, patient care quality and program analysis. Big data uses patient’s data that healthcare organizations
have to improve pharmaceutical sales, patient analysis, and allow for better payer solutions.
Government Government uses big data to handle the security threats, population dynamics, budgeting and finance
operations, etc.
Telecommunications Big data is required for network capacity planning and optimization by correlating network usage,
subscriber density, along with traffic and location data. Call detail record analysis, mobile user location
analysis, customer churn prevention, revenue assurance and price optimization and network performance
and optimization.
Web and digital Abuse and click-fraud prevention, large scale click stream analytics, campaign management and loyalty
media programs, social graph analysis and profile segmentation.
Retail/consumers Big data is required for analyzing customer buying behaviour, current products, pricing, and promotions.
Market and consumer segmentations, event and behaviour-based targeting, supply chain management and
analytics, merchandizing and market based analysis.
Finance and fraud Fraud detection and security analytics, risk analysis and management, credit risk, scoring and analysis,
services compliance and regulatory reporting.
E-commerce and Event analytics, right offer at right time, next best option or next best action, cross-channel analytics.
customer service

3.2. Machine learning (ML) applications

As explained earlier, ML is a type of AI that provides computers the ability to learn without being
explicitly programmed. It is a subset of AI, which has behavioural rules by examining and comparing large
data sets to determine the common patterns [28]. This approach is very effective for solving classification
problems. Nowadays, sensors generate a lot of data, and it is very difficult to analyze this data for practical
applications using classical approaches. In this case, ML is the best option. It is used for developing
stochastic models. ML has many practical applications that results in time and money saving. With ML
things can be done more quickly and efficiently. It automates the task such as changing password, checking
balance which would otherwise need a live agent, which as a result save the valuable time of the agent that
can be used to focus on other important tasks that humans perform best [29].
In most classical models, there are underlying assumptions that they are made to lend the problem to
classical analysis. ML makes the performance better by using heuristics to replace these assumptions. ML
technique is applied to a data driven estimated model. Therefore, accuracy/error limit is an important
factor [30]. The key factors which increased the importance of machine learning are the data availability and
computation power. These two factors have increased the excessive applications of ML across various fields.
The major applications of machine learning for various fields are presented in Table 2 [31].

Table 2. Applications of machine learning (ML) in various industries

Industries Applications of Machine Learning
Electrical Power Load modelling, anomaly detection and control, forecasting (load, wind and solar PV), image recognition,
and Energy nonlinear programming, recommendation, fault location estimation, load and generator circuit model, dynamic
model parameter estimation, exciter and governor models, etc.
Transportation Transportation is the main industry which is very much affected by ML. Many big companies like Google, Tesla
and others are investing too much in self-driving cars. Tesla cars are already equipped with autopilot feature
which uses a system of 8 cameras and 12 sensors which provides 360 degree view to a range of 250 meters [32].
Education ML helps to organize and optimize the content module and track student knowledge and recommend next
step. ML and AI can easily identify the learning disability. It can collect student’s work and analyze the
difficulties faced by the students. It can be used to generate tests and assignments.
Financial Financial services like banks and other business used ML to increase profit, investment and to prevent fraud. ML
Services algorithms can easily detect frauds and can flag them to the security team.
Marketing ML is useful for fraud detection in transactions between buyers and sellers. E-commerce websites uses ML
and Sales to recommend items based on previous items purchased or searched.
Healthcare ML is useful for early detection of disease and to understand risk factors for a disease. These algorithms can
easily identify diseases within a fraction of time taken by doctors. It takes years of training for doctors to identify
any disease a machine can learn to identify it in hours. AI also works as virtual doctor. It listens to the patient’s
problem and suggests the treatment [33].

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4. CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF BIG DATA AND MACHINE LEARNING (ML)

Big data brings new challenges, and requires new approaches to deal with the challenges.
The challenges to big data include performance, data federation, data cleansing, security and time to value.
Most common actions performed on data sets using big data analysis includes capturing data, storing data,
data analysis, updating, querying and visualizing the data. Challenges of big data for electrical power and
energy industry include privacy, data mining, integration of data, cyber security, and demand prediction
through analytics processing in smart grid (SG) applications, data quality and cost balance, industrial fault
diagnosis using big data and quantum cryptography for data security in smart grids. Some challenges lying
ahead in the terms of SG big data technology includes multisource data integration and storage, real-time
data processing technology, data compression, big data visualization technology, and data privacy and
security [34]. State of art, current status and recent developments of big data are:
a. Big data technique to handle a large amount of information in a short time using meter data management.
b. Big data requirements and enhancements throughout the power network dispatching and planning.
c. Schedulable capacity forecasting technique for thermostatically controlled load by big data analysis.
d. Concept of device electrocardiogram in fault diagnosis using big data.
e. Tensor based big data management scheme in smart grid (SG) systems.
f. Artificial neural network (ANN) approach in efficient electricity generation forecasting.
Some of the benefits from big data analytics in SG includes increased system stability and
reliability, increased asset utilization and efficiency, and better customer experience and satisfaction [35].
Machine learning is a subset of AI which includes abstruse statically approaches that enable machines to
improve at tasks with experience. The category includes deep learning. Hence, it is a subset of AI in which
machine they get improved kind of decision making experience depending upon the training or the data they
have and it is based upon deep learning [36]. The main challenges of machine learning are: generative vs
discriminative learning, beyond classification and regression, learning from non-vectorial data, machine
learning bottlenecks, intelligible models, combining learning methods, distributed data mining, unsupervised
learning comes of age, and more informed information access.

5. CONCLUSIONS
A detailed analysis of big data and machine learning (ML) in electrical power and energy sector
including the smart grid has been presented in this paper. Big data analytics involves the processes of
searching a database, mining, and analysing data dedicated to improve the performance of the company.
ML focuses on the development of computer programs that can teach themselves to grow and change when
exposed to the new data. Applications of big data and ML in various industries such as electrical power and
energy including smart grid, transportation, health care, education, e-commerce, financial services, marketing
and sales, etc. Various challenges and opportunities related to big data and machine learning are also
reviewed in this paper.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This research work has been carried out based on the support of “Woosong University's Academic
Research Funding - 2019”.

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