Independent Market Operator

The Independent Market Operator (IMO), an industry-funded organisation, operates Western Australia's Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM). Their mission is to develop a competitive electricity marketplace – encouraging private sector investment, improved energy security and efficient pricing. WEM underpins the supply of energy to the majority of WA’s population (around 2 million people).

The IMO wanted to provide greater transparency within the electricity marketplace. They saw an opportunity to providing up-to-date information on energy production and consumption - through taking advantage of the rich set of market data they hold.

Partnering with ThoughtWorks, the IMO explored new approaches to communicate with their stakeholders using data visualisation and interactive infographics.

“Electricity markets are data rich environments and conveying market trends and outcomes in a form that is easily understood by the public is a significant challenge. ThoughtWorks and the IMO worked collaboratively to successfully achieve an outcome that we are truly proud of. Our Data Visualisation project has received many compliments from our customers and wider stakeholder group.”

Allan Dawson, CEO, Independent Market Operator

ThoughtWorks and the IMO rapidly built different visualisation options while collecting and integrating feedback along the way. This continuous design approach ensured the right things were delivered in a very short timeframe.

The final interactive visualisations were built using the latest web technologies, such as HTML5, CSS3, and Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG), along with automated testing.

In just seven weeks the IMO was able to launch the first phase of visualisations on their website - providing real time analytics on matters that impact customers - and bringing the industry one step closer to marketplace transparency.