Research Tools

To carry out advanced studies involving Future Distribution Networks, DER Integration, Smart Grids, and Data Analytics we need to be at the forefront of modelling and coding tools and practices. Some of the main research tools used in our Research Team include OpenDSS, Anaconda/Python, and GitHub. These and other tools, such as Slack, Teams, and Asana, not only help to develop and manage our research but also provide important skills useful in the industry.

Anaconda / Python / Jupyter Notebook

Download link for researchers (Individual Edition, free): https://www.anaconda.com/products/individual. Always install using full admin rights.

Learn the basics of the Anaconda distribution

• • Why Anaconda? Watch the 10-min video (registration needed): https://know.anaconda.com/Distribution-Tutorial-LP.html

  • Getting started: https://docs.anaconda.com/anaconda/user-guide/getting-started/ 

  • You can also go to the Anaconda Navigator and then Learning for documentation.Run "anaconda-navigator" in the Anaconda Prompt, then go to Learning. Or from the Windows' Start Menu find and click on the "Anaconda Navigator".

Learn the basics of Python and the Spyder environment

• • Note that Anaconda comes with Spyder (the Scientific Python Development Envinronment): https://www.spyder-ide.org/

  • Watch this a useful introduction to Spyder with Anaconda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mAmZIRfJBs 

  • Python Tutorial/Documentation: https://docs.python.org/3/tutorial/index.html ; https://www.python.org/

Learn the basics of Jupyter Notebook

• • Note that Anaconda comes with Jupyter Notebook: https://jupyter.org/

  • Jupyter Notebook is an interactive web application that allows you to create and share documents that contain live code, equations, visualizations and narrative text. Here is quick introduction to Jupyter Notebook: https://jupyter-notebook.readthedocs.io/en/stable/notebook.html.

eBooks (download using your University account)

• • A Beginners Guide to Python 3 Programming: http://cat.lib.unimelb.edu.au/record=b7360940~S30

  • Advanced Guide to Python 3 Programming: http://cat.lib.unimelb.edu.au/record=b7361673~S30 

  • Data Structures and Algorithms with Python: http://cat.lib.unimelb.edu.au/record=b6078719~S30

  • The Python Workbook: http://cat.lib.unimelb.edu.au/record=b7354825~S30