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Wind Turbine Controls Usage Patterns Study Underway

During April and early May, Newton-Evans Research is conducting studies on the American wind power market.  Of specific interest is the  wind turbine controls segment of the fast-growing renewables business.

We are researching the types and brands of control devices and control systems that are in use among the more than 72,000 wind turbines installed in the United States as of January 2023.¹

Importantly, most controls within the wind turbine itself are provided by the OEM – the wind turbine manufacturer.  In the U.S., that likely means one of six manufacturers that account for 90% of all utility-scale wind turbine installations as of January 2023.  Three of the six (GE, Vestas, Siemens Gamesa) accounted for a whopping 82% of wind turbine installations.  Three others (Mitsubishi, Nordex and Suzlon) account for nearly 6,000 operational wind turbines operating throughout the country.  In addition to the major OEMs, there are more than 10 other manufacturers having at least 50 or more operational U.S. wind turbine installations.  See Figure 1. (Click on the figure to expand the view).

When it comes to wind turbine controls, multi-site wind farm operators and owners have more say in determining control devices and control systems selections as needed, especially for controls that reside external to the wind turbine.   Larger wind farms configured with wind turbines from multiple manufacturers also tend to have more interest in procuring PLCs, SCADA systems and plant-wide and multi-plant control and monitoring systems.  Wind farm operators and owners also tend to make more of the turbine control selections when it comes to retrofitting wind turbines.

There are more than a dozen wind controls specialist firms actively marketing and installing pitch and yaw controls, and/or condition monitoring systems in the United States.  Many wind turbine control specialists active in the U.S. are headquartered in European countries having extensive wind power installations and decades of wind power experience, led by firms based in Denmark, with others in Spain, Germany, Austria and Italy.  Some companies provide their own fine-tuned PLCs and wind-specific SCADA systems (you can read our 2021 article on renewables SCADA here): https://www.newton-evans.com/scada-systems-for-the-renewables-energy-industry-and-adms-for-utilities/.

We are still seeking a few additional participants to two short surveys.  One survey is geared to wind farm operators/owners, and can be answered by experienced wind turbine technicians.  The second survey addresses the OEM and wind turbine controls supplier community.  If you qualify to participate, please contact Chuck Newton (cnewton@newton-evans.com) and a link to the appropriate survey will be forwarded. 

Note:  1. Wind turbine installation data is provided by the U.S. Geological Service:  https://eerscmap.usgs.gov/uswtdb/

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Energy Management and Market Operations Systems (EMMOS) Conference to be held in San Diego, California During September 13-16, 2020

April 24, 2020.  The 27th annual three-day conference of the Energy Management and Market Operations Systems (EMMOS) Users Group will be held in San Diego, California during September 13-16, 2020, starting with a welcoming reception at the beautiful Kempton Hotel Palomar, San Diego on the evening of Sunday, September 13.

This year’s conference agenda will feature topical speakers and roundtable sessions, technical training class, a tour of the SDGE control center and vendors’ exhibition.  The conference will be held in conjunction with the OSISoft PI Generation and T&D conference, which is being held during the same week in San Diego.

Featured conference sessions at the 2020 gathering of North American and international control systems and market operations management and staff will include topics such as:  Design Matters, Protection and Control, Block Chain, 5G Networking Applications, Big Data, Grid Analytics, Situational Awareness, and others.  Presentations will be delivered by representatives from IOUs, ISOs, RTOs and the T&D Consulting community.  Please contact Mr. Reza Alaghehband at Reza@emmos.org for proposals and suggestions.

Panel discussion topics: “Contingency Plans for Control Centers Operating Under Emergency Conditions” and “Current and Future Utility Industry Technology Solutions and Challenges”

Technical Tour:  The 2020 conference will include a control center tour and will also feature a micro grid tour.

Vendor Exhibition:  An Energy Management and Market Systems focused vendor exhibition will be held on Monday evening and will include a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres reception.

Training workshop/tutorial:  A 4-hour training workshop on “Power Network Applications and Tuning” will be held as part of the conference.  Participants will receive a certificate of completion.

The annual EMMOS conference attendees include electric power operations officials involved with transmission, distribution, generation, Market Systems, as well as IT managers, planning engineers, consultants, ISO staffs, visualization and situational awareness engineers, and related systems personnel involved with control and/or market systems and substation modernization, distribution automation, outage management and geographic information systems.

The EMMOS website is now open and available for registrations for this September’s conference.

Further information on the upcoming 2020 EMMOS conference, including registration information and hotel booking arrangements can be found on the EMMOS website at www.emmos.org.   Exhibitor opportunity information is available from Mr. Dave McGinnis at davemcginnisalt@yahoo.com .  Recommendations for additional topical presentations are welcomed and should be submitted to Mr. Reza Alaghehband at Reza@emmos.org.

In the event that the conference has to be cancelled, refunds will be made to registrants or optionally can be applied to the 2021 EMMOS conference. In the event that it becomes necessary to cancel the physical conference, we will plan to conduct a live streamed video conference with speakers and roundtable discussions.  The virtual conference would be available to remote attendees at a substantially reduced price.

 

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40% off “The World Market Study of SCADA, EMS, DMS and OMS in Electric Utilities: 2017-2019”

In 2017, Newton-Evans published its 14th survey-based study of the market for electric power control systems (EMS, SCADA, DMS and OMS). Thirty-two of the 68 North American utilities indicated they are planning an upgrade to their existing SCADA system by year-end 2019.

“Do you plan to add any new/replacement or upgraded/retrofitted systems by 2019?” 
Continue reading 40% off “The World Market Study of SCADA, EMS, DMS and OMS in Electric Utilities: 2017-2019”

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Market for “Smart” RTUs Linked to Increase in Sensor Data

According to Schneider Electric, one of the world’s leading RTU manufacturers, Smart RTUs “combine the monitoring and communication capabilities of a remote terminal unit (RTU) with the processing and data-logging power of a programmable logic controller (PLC).” Two recent Newton-Evans studies take a look at Smart RTUs both inside the substation and outside in the field.

Continue reading Market for “Smart” RTUs Linked to Increase in Sensor Data

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Control Systems, Protective Relaying and Substation Automation Report Series Year-End Discount

Research findings from recently completed Newton-Evans studies see an upswing in cyber security investments worldwide, while substantial differences for communications protocols and methods are also evident. Order all 3 of Newton-Evans Research Company’s flagship studies on electric power control systems, substation automation and protective relays and save $9,800 off the initial retail price! Here is what is included:

Continue reading Control Systems, Protective Relaying and Substation Automation Report Series Year-End Discount

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U.S. Investor-Owned Electric Power Utility Automation Market Report

A recently published compilation of survey findings by Newton-Evans Research highlights electric power automation trends among investor-owned utilities (IOUs).

    • For control systems, IOUs tend to use more OMS analytics, are more likely to have an advanced DMS (or have plans for one), use synchrophasors for wide area monitoring, and want cybersecurity features designed as an integrated part of the control system rather than added on.

Continue reading U.S. Investor-Owned Electric Power Utility Automation Market Report

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47% of Electric Utilities Surveyed Plan to Upgrade or Retrofit Their SCADA System by Year End 2019

In 1Q 2017, Newton-Evans published its 14th survey-based study of the market for electric power control systems (EMS, SCADA, DMS and OMS). Thirty-two of the 68 North American utilities indicated they are planning an upgrade to their existing SCADA system by year-end 2019.
Continue reading 47% of Electric Utilities Surveyed Plan to Upgrade or Retrofit Their SCADA System by Year End 2019

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Growing Use of Specialized Consultants to Assist with Utility Cyber Security Activities Reported in Control Systems Study

Related Substation Automation Study Examines Use of Encryption for Data Transmission To/From Control Center Systems

The Newton-Evans Research Company has released additional cyber security-related findings from two major report series. The research shows that reliance on outside assistance for cyber expertise is gaining ground – especially among international utilities, while the use of encryption for operational data transmission is growing across the world.
Continue reading Growing Use of Specialized Consultants to Assist with Utility Cyber Security Activities Reported in Control Systems Study

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Control Systems, Protection & Control and Substation Automation Report Series from Newton-Evans Research Find Common Ground in Key Areas of Cyber Security and Communications

Research findings from recently completed Newton-Evans studies see an upswing in cyber security investments worldwide, while substantial differences for communications protocols and methods are also evident.

Control Systems Report Series
Similarities between North American and International Utilities:
1. Support activities managed by line-of-business by about one-half of all respondents
2. Fiber optic cable dominates linkages from control centers to key substations
3. Cloud computing interest remains relatively low
Continue reading Control Systems, Protection & Control and Substation Automation Report Series from Newton-Evans Research Find Common Ground in Key Areas of Cyber Security and Communications

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U.S. Electric Power T&D Market Overview Briefs Now Available

Newton-Evans is updating its series of “top line” market overview briefs called “Overview of the 2017-2020 U.S. Transmission and Distribution Equipment Market.” The reports included in this series are grouped into seven categories based on the types of T&D Equipment, systems or services covered: Control Systems, Substation Automation, Protective Relays, Transformers, Medium Voltage Equipment, High Voltage Equipment, and Distribution Automation. Reports in some of these product categories have been published this week and are now available for ordering on our reports page.
Continue reading U.S. Electric Power T&D Market Overview Briefs Now Available

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Multi-Part Newton-Evans Research Study Reveals Significant Growth Likely for Advanced DMS Systems and Applications

The Newton-Evans Research Company continues to assess its findings from the firm’s comprehensive 2017 study of EMS, SCADA, DMS and OMS usage patterns among utilities from more than 30 countries.
Continue reading Multi-Part Newton-Evans Research Study Reveals Significant Growth Likely for Advanced DMS Systems and Applications

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Newton-Evans Study Finds Heavy Use of IP/MPLS and Continued Reliance on Utility-Operated Telecommunications Networks for EMS/SCADA and DMS Systems

The latest findings from the Newton-Evans Research Company study of control systems used in the electric power industry point to heavy reliance on IP/MPLS networks for wide area communications from substations and other field locations to central site control systems.
Continue reading Newton-Evans Study Finds Heavy Use of IP/MPLS and Continued Reliance on Utility-Operated Telecommunications Networks for EMS/SCADA and DMS Systems

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Newton-Evans Study Finds Differences in Spending Plans for Electric Utility Control Systems Over the 2017-2019 Years

Nearly half of North American electric utilities participating in the 2017-2019 Newton-Evans Research study plan to upgrade or retrofit their SCADA system by 2019. Twenty-two percent plan to upgrade or retrofit their energy management system (EMS), and twenty-five percent will upgrade or retrofit their outage management system (OMS). Twenty-six percent of North American utilities in the survey sample are adding a new or replacement distribution management system (DMS) or advanced DMS by 2019.
Continue reading Newton-Evans Study Finds Differences in Spending Plans for Electric Utility Control Systems Over the 2017-2019 Years

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Findings from International Study of EMS, SCADA, DMS, and OMS Indicate Differences in Usage Patterns and Development Priorities When Compared to North American Companies

The Newton-Evans Research Company has published report findings from the company’s recently completed study of EMS, SCADA, DMS and OMS usage patterns in international electric power utilities. This is the second of four volumes of its 14th global market assessment of operational control systems – a survey-based study conducted by Newton-Evans since 1984.

Here are some observations gleaned from interviews and surveys with 31 utility participants from 25 countries:

Systems in Use
All utilities that participated in the survey are operating SCADA systems, and 74% also have an energy management (EMS) installation. Fifty-two percent use a distribution management systems (DMS) and 61% use an outage management system (OMS).

Continue reading Findings from International Study of EMS, SCADA, DMS, and OMS Indicate Differences in Usage Patterns and Development Priorities When Compared to North American Companies

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Coming Soon: The World Market Study of SCADA, EMS, DMS & OMS in Electric Utilities: 2017-2019

Here is a brochure and order form:
http://www.newton-evans.com/2017EMSSCADABrochure.pdf

Newton-Evans’ World Market Study of SCADA, Energy Management Systems, Distribution Management Systems and Outage Management Systems in Electric Utilities: 2017-2019 is a four volume, multi-client market report. Participants in this market study include utility engineers and managers from investor-owned utilities, municipal and provincial utilities, cooperative utilities within the United States and Canada, together with national power systems throughout the world.
Continue reading Coming Soon: The World Market Study of SCADA, EMS, DMS & OMS in Electric Utilities: 2017-2019

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Early Survey Findings Point to Continuing Development of EMS, SCADA, DMS and OMS Capabilities during 2017-2019 among North American Electric Power Utilities

The Newton-Evans Research Company has released preliminary findings from its current study of EMS, SCADA, DMS and OMS usage patterns in North American electric power utilities, one of four component reports of the company’s global market assessment series on operational control systems.

Among the initial observations gleaned from interviews and surveys with over 60 officials from a broad range of U.S. electric utilities:
Continue reading Early Survey Findings Point to Continuing Development of EMS, SCADA, DMS and OMS Capabilities during 2017-2019 among North American Electric Power Utilities

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Interest in Combining Control Systems on a Common Platform Among North American Electric Utilities

The following is excerpted from the Newton-Evans Research study, “World Market Study of SCADA, Energy Management Systems, Distribution Management Systems and Outage Management Systems in Electric Utilities: 2013-2015.” Read more about it on our reports page here.

Do you have any interest in combining EMS and DMS on a common platform?
In 2013, utility interest in combining these two systems was observed to be about the same as it was in 2010. A total of 26% of respondents had interest or had already combined their EMS and DMS systems. In 2010, 27% of utilities surveyed expressed an interest in doing this. Cooperatives showed less interest in combining, while Investor Owned utilities had more interest.


(Summary from the 2012 survey)

In the 2010 survey, there was some interest in combining EMS and DMS on a single platform; 27% of respondents answered “yes” they had an interest in combining the two. There was more interest among Canadian respondents (36%), IOUs and public power utilities (each at 32%), compared with only 13% of cooperatives (this sub-group of distribution cooperatives is less likely to use EMS technologies). Similarly, larger utilities were somewhat more interested in this combination of EMS and DMS than were smaller utilities.

Do you have any interest in combining DMS and OMS on a common platform?
Similar to what had been reported in the 2010 study, the 2013 study indicated that 41% of utilities either have interest in combining DMS and OMS (36%), or have already combined them (5%).

Do you have any interest in combining DMS and OMS on a common platform?
(Summary from the 2012 survey)

Overall, 40% of the 92 utilities responding to this part of question 3 expressed interest in a combined DMS/OMS platform. The highest level of interest was noted among Canadian respondents (64%); the lowest amount of interest was among U.S. cooperatives (17%). Fifty percent of utilities serving more than one million customers were interested in combining DMS and OMS capabilities on a single platform. Questions 3a and 3b are new questions added to the 2010 survey.