Category: News Release

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Utility Plans Call for Continuation of Substantial Investment in North American Distribution Grid Automation Programs

Findings Corroborate Earlier Newton-Evans Studies Regarding “Mixed” Placement of Controls of Field Devices

The Newton-Evans Research Company today released key findings from its newly published study of electric utility plans for distribution automation. Entitled “North American Distribution Automation Market Assessment and Outlook: 2015-2017” the 89-page report includes coverage of more than 35 DA-related issues.

Progress Being Made with Distribution Automation Programs:
North American utilities are making good progress in developing and implementing new DA applications and telecommunications network upgrades. The overall DA market among North American utilities is approaching one billion dollars and will continue to grow each year for the foreseeable future.

DA Controls Placement:
The placement of DA controls for field devices remains mixed. While some see controls being distributed to field locations, others are placing controls on substation automation platforms, while an even larger group is using control center systems-based approaches (centered on SCADA-DMS systems).

The outlook for controls placement in the future shows that utilities are bringing more controls for fault detection, isolation and service restoration (FDIR/FLISR) and for volt/var control (VVC) into the control center as shown in these charts.

FLISRcontrols VVCcontrols

Automatic Fault Sensing:
Devices providing information such as hot line status and fault indications are becoming a mainstay in many utility DA programs. IOUs and Canadian utilities were more likely to be using automatic fault sensing devices than were their counterparts at electric cooperatives or public power utilities. Usage patterns and plans for AFS devices were strongest among the respondent subgroup of very large utilities (those serving more than 500,000 customers). Of the subgroup using AFS devices, about one-third actively utilize the status of such devices in their DA schemes.

Integration of Communications and Controls for Distributed Generation into DA System Architecture:
By year-end 2014, only about 16% of utilities indicated some use of DA-related communications/controls while another 14% plan to integrate these for DG purposes by year-end 2017. In a related question, well over one third of the respondents indicated that they have a trial deployment to manage distributed energy resources within the DA system either underway or planned.

More than 30 additional topics are covered in the 2015-2017 Newton-Evans DA report. Seventy five major and mid-size utilities were surveyed and interviewed to gather the information for the report. This group provides a substantial sample, accounting for 20% of served customers and 19% of primary feeders across North America.

A supplemental North American DA market outlook synopsis for the years 2015 through 2020 will be released in March. The outlook supplement will provide DA market outlook information based on type, size and regional location of utilities.

Additional information on the North American Distribution Automation Market Assessment and Outlook: 2015-2017 report is available from Newton-Evans Research Company, 10176 Baltimore National Pike, Suite 204, Ellicott City, Maryland 21042. Phone 1-410-465-7316 or write to info@newton-evans.com

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U.S. Sales of Distribution Automation Components, Including Equipment, Systems and Services, Estimated at more than $700 Million in 2013, Forecast to Increase to $950 Million by 2016

Newton-Evans Research Publishes New Edition of Nine Market Snapshot Reports on Distribution Automation Topics Covering the Electric Power Industry in the United States.

June 4, 2014. Ellicott City, Maryland. The Newton-Evans Research Company has announced its latest publication of a set of 9 U.S. distribution automation market two-page summaries. The new series of market overview reports (executive market summaries) includes supplier listings, representative products, and estimated market size for each topic, vendor market share estimates and market outlook through 2016. Electric utilities accounted for about 91% of all purchases of distribution automation related goods and services. A majority of distribution automation equipment purchased by American utilities and industrial firms is produced or assembled in the United States.

The Distribution Automation series ($975.00) includes U.S. 2013 market size, market share estimates and 2014-2016 market outlook for these product and service categories:
DA01 – Automatic Circuit Recloser Controls
DA02 – DA/DMS System Components (including distribution network analysis; distribution network condition monitoring and fault location and characterization)
DA03 – Voltage Regulators
DA04 – Capacitor Bank Controllers
DA05 – Fault Indicators (covering both fault current indicators and faulted circuit indicators)
DA06 – Pole Top RTUs
DA07 – Line Mounted Monitoring Devices
DA08 – Communications Components for DA (covering PLC/DLC; cellular and 900Mhz)
DA09 – Engineering Services for Distribution Automation Projects (covering consulting engineering services, related services provided by manufacturers; DA services provided by smart grid consulting specialists).

Other topical series currently available include: the 2014-2016 series on medium voltage equipment (18 market overviews).

Additional series to be released during June-August 2014 cover high voltage equipment (16 market segment overviews), T&D control systems (11 market segment overviews), substation automation (13 market segment snapshots), power transformers (11 market segment snapshots), and protective relays (8 market segment snapshots).

Further information on this new series of U.S. T&D market snapshots is available from Newton-Evans Research Company, 10176 Baltimore National Pike, Suite 204, Ellicott City, Maryland 21042. Phone: 410-465-7316 or visit www.newton-evans.com/our-reports for a brochure or to order any of the related report series or more than 85 planned individual report summaries online. For those interested in subscriptions to multiple report series, please call or email us for special introductory pricing offers. For more information send an inquiry to info@newton-evans.com

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U.S. Sales of Medium Voltage Equipment, Components and Related Services Accounted for More than $11 Billion in 2013, Forecast to Reach $13 Billion by 2016.

May 19, 2014. Ellicott City, Maryland. The Newton-Evans Research Company has announced the publication of a series of 18 electric power distribution market two-page snapshot market summaries. The new series of market overview reports (executive market summaries) includes supplier listings, representative products, and estimated market size for each topic, vendor market share estimates and market outlook and growth factors through 2016. Electric utilities accounted for nearly two-thirds of purchases of the medium voltage product categories in this series, with industrial and commercial segments accounting for about one third of the value of MV equipment shipments. A majority of the included equipment and products continue to be manufactured and/or assembled in the United States.

The Medium Voltage equipment market overview series is priced at $1,500 for all 18 market summary reports, or at $150.00 for individual report summaries. Each snapshot report include product definitions, estimates of 2013 U.S. market size, supplier market shares and the outlook through 2016 for these categories: MV01 – Air Insulated Metal Clad Switchgear; MV02 – MV Motor Controllers; MV03 – MV Gas Insulated Switchgear; MV04 – Automatic Circuit Reclosers; MV05 – Outdoor Distribution Circuit Breakers (5-38kv); MV06 – Load Interrupter Switchgear; MV07 – Overhead Disconnect Switches (15-38kv); MV08 – Sectionalizers; MV09 – Fused Cutouts; MV10 – Pad Mounted Switchgear; MV11 – Submersible Switchgear; MV12 – Bus Duct and Bus Bar ; MV13 – Substation Class Pad Mounted Capacitors; MV14 – Current/Instrument Transformers; MV15 – Fault Current Limiters; MV16 – Fault Current Indicators and Faulted Circuit Indicators; MV17 – Current Limiting Fuses and Fuse Links; and MV18 – Surge Arresters.

Other U.S. T&D market snapshot series to be updated during the next three months include power transformers (11 market segment snapshots), protective relays (8 market segment snapshots) and substation automation components (13 market segment snapshots). The next market overview series to be released covers 12 component topics related to distribution automation. The DA series is planned for publication in June, 2014.
Further information on each series of U.S. T&D market snapshots is available from Newton-Evans Research Company, 10176 Baltimore National Pike, Suite 204, Ellicott City, Maryland 21042. Phone: 410-465-7316 or visit www.newton-evans.com for a brochure or to place an order for any of the related report series or more than 85 individual T&D report summaries online. For subscriptions to all of the currently available report series, please call or email us for special introductory pricing offers. For more information send an inquiry to info@newton-evans.com

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Utility CAPEX/OPEX Report Published with Results of April-July 2013 Newton-Evans Study of Electric Power T&D Investment

Ellicott City, Maryland – July 24, 2013: The Newton-Evans Research Company today announced the publication of its fifth study in the multi-year tracking research program looking into electric power utility capital expenditures or CAPEX budgets related to smart grid investments and infrastructure spending plans.

Findings from the second and early third quarter 2013 Newton-Evans global tracking study of electric power transmission and distribution investment remain positive, comparable with the four earlier tracking studies conducted in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. Each of six “smart grid” component areas, plus transmission and distribution infrastructure development, has been reported by utilities located in 30 countries to more likely be either “increased” or “unchanged” rather than “decreased” from the last study. The highest percentages of officials reporting CAPEX increases were in the areas of transmission infrastructure and protection and control, followed by distribution infrastructure and control systems.

2013-14PlannedCAPEXtable

O&M budgets reflect a somewhat upbeat story as well. Several categories of O&M spending were more likely to see an increase from the OPEX budgets of two years ago. Distribution infrastructure and Distribution Automation both have gained some budget increases. Overall, international utility officials were more likely to indicate increases in both CAPEX and OPEX spending allocations for the majority of grid modernization topics.

Read the archived news release here.

This report is available on our reports page for $495.00. Feel free to call (410-465-7316) or email info@newton-evans.com for more information.

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Third New Market Study in July: Observations and Overview of the U.S. Market for Fuse Links, Power Fuses and Current Limiting Fuses Among Mid-sized Electric Utilities.

This new 40 page market report is based on a survey of mid-size utilities regarding usage levels and brand preferences for fuse links, power fuses, and current limiting fuses. The report looks at the most common amp ratings, key manufacturers, budgets and annual usage levels of fuse links, power fuses and current limiting fuses among the sample, and offers projections to the entire U.S. market. The power fuse section also looks at indoor versus outdoor applications and refillable versus one time use units. Voltage and current combinations are charted by usage levels for current limiting fuses. “Observations and Overview of the U.S. Market for Fuse Links, Power Fuses and Current Limiting Fuses Among Mid-sized Electric Utilities” is priced at $675.00 and is available for purchase on the reports page.

This is the third Newton-Evans market report published this month, joining the “Mid-2013 Assessment and Outlook for the North American Market for HV and MV Instrument Transformers” and the “Mid-2013 Assessment and Outlook of the Market for Medium Voltage Fault Current Limiters.”

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New Report from Newton-Evans: Mid-2013 Assessment and Outlook for the North American Market for HV and MV Instrument Transformers

This new study of High Voltage and Medium Voltage Instrument Transformers shines a light on the growing requirement for additional current and voltage transformation equipment in electric power substations as more intelligent electronic devices are installed both in the substation and on the grid. From protective relays to substation meters to additional substation-based intelligent electronic devices, all require a reliable lower voltage, lower current power source to enable device operation.

According to Chuck Newton, “Newton-Evans Research undertook initial research on the topic of high voltage (HV) instrument transformers in mid-2012, then continued earlier this year for a private client study. Now, as follow-on to these efforts, Newton-Evans has extended its efforts into medium voltage (MV) instrument transformers during the second and early third quarters of 2013.”

Following are some key observations based on the HV/MV IT research program described in the report:

• By 2016, the combined HV/MV IT market will likely grow to more than $400 million annually with about $340-$370 million in U.S. expenditures and $50-$65 million spent by Canadian utilities and industry.
• Cumulative shipments of HV/MV instrument transformers within North America during 2013-2016 will approach $1.5 Billion.
• The manufacturing of HV IT equipment has a high “concentration ratio” (CR3) of suppliers.
• MV IT equipment manufacturing is less concentrated, with the medium voltage IT market addressed by several additional participants. (CR8).
• Sub-transmission level IT equipment, if viewed as a separate segment, would reveal additional market segment suppliers identified in the report.
• The spate of acquisitions a few years ago, involving the acquisition of the three leading “independent” HV IT equipment manufacturers (Trench, Ritz and Kuhlman) by Siemens, Alstom Grid and ABB, respectively, foreshadowed then-anticipated growth in this segment of the IT market in North America. Now, this T&D market segment continues to show promise in light of the construction and installation of new substations and quickening pace of grid modernization programs.

More information on this report, priced at $575.00,  can be found by clicking on the”Reports” tab.

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Preliminary Findings Point to Solid Growth for EMS, SCADA, DMS and OMS during 2013-2015 among North American Electric Power Utilities

Real-time Inter-systems Communications Capabilities Lag, but DNP 3 Continues as the Preferred Protocol for Operational Data Communications

December 1, 2012. Ellicott City, Maryland. The Newton-Evans Research Company has released interim findings from its current study of EMS, SCADA, DMS and OMS usage patterns in North American electric power utilities, one of four components of the company’s global market assessment series on operational control systems.

Among the initial observations gleaned from interviews and surveys with 50 initial participants from a wide range of participating U.S. and Canadian electric utilities, are the following:

  • Energy Management Systems (EMS), supervisory control systems (SCADA), distribution management systems (DMS) and outage management systems (OMS) are likely to show very good growth over the 2013-2015 years, in light of the positive responses from this initial group of utility responses.
  • Plans call for upgrades or retrofits to SCADA systems among a large percentage of these utilities
  • Plans for procurements of new DMS and (OMS) are significant, with more than one quarter planning to purchase a new or replacement DMS and nearly one-in-five planning OMS procurements.
  • There is interest shown among one-third of these early respondents to combining DMS and OMS on a common platform, but cyber security concerns have been voiced by several operations officials looking into such system combinations.
  • Third party services are being used and relied upon to assist with NERC CIP compliance issues and for the conduct of vulnerability assessments.
  • DNP 3 continues to be the most prevalent operational data communications protocol throughout North American electric power utilities. Plans call for continuing the use of DNP 3 for the foreseeable future, among the majority of these utilities.
  • More than a score of additional topics are surveyed in this new study including the impact of NERC CIP compliance on budgets and workloads; distribution network model maintenance; hardware maintenance responsibilities and preferences for new applications procurement methods.

The North American report is one of four volumes being produced for the company’s fourteenth bi- annual series of EMS, SCADA and DMS studies published by Newton-Evans Research since 1984. Work on the other three volumes is underway; the entire series will be published in January 2013.

Further information on this new series entitled The World Market Study of SCADA, Energy Management Systems and Distribution Management Systems in Electric Utilities: 2013-2015 is available from Newton-Evans Research Company, 10176 Baltimore National Pike, Suite 204, Ellicott City, Maryland 21042. Phone: 410-465-7316 or visit us at www.newton-evans.comor to order any of more than 100 related reports. For readers interested in purchasing this new series please call or email the company for special introductory pricing. Chuck Newton can be reached at cnewton@newton-evans.com.

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Estimated U.S. Sales of HV Transmission Substation Equipment well over $5 Billion in 2011, (excluding power transformers) – Forecast to Increase by 19% to $6 Billion by 2014.

High Manufacturing Concentration Ratios Noted – Four Top Tier HV Equipment Manufacturers in Each Category Hold from 70%-95% Combined Shares

October 19, 2012. Ellicott City, Maryland. The Newton-Evans Research Company has announced its publication of a set of 15 U.S. high voltage equipment market two-page summaries. The new series of market overview reports (executive market summaries) includes supplier listings, representative products, and estimated market size for each topic, vendor market share estimates, and market outlook through 2014. For many topics, equipment/system cost ranges are also provided. Electric utilities accounted for about 88-90% of all purchases of high voltage equipment, used mainly in transmission class electric power substations.

Unlike other categories in the series, the HV equipment market is characterized by a specialized group of manufacturers, resulting in a high degree of market shares held by these few companies. There are two manufacturing concentration ratios used by economists. The first, known as CR4 ratios, is a measure of U.S. market dominance in the hands of four suppliers/manufacturers. The second calculation is the CR8, a measure of U.S. market dominance among up to eight leading manufacturers.

For each high voltage equipment category, Newton-Evans has found that more than 70% of each of the covered HV equipment markets is shared by four or fewer companies. The CR8 ratio found in this study indicates that the market share for eight suppliers (or fewer) is nearly 100% in each category, as calculated by Newton-Evans Research. This is different from other T&D categories studied this year, wherein significantly lower concentration ratios are found at the CR4 level.

The High Voltage Equipment series ($975.00) includes U.S. market size, market share estimates and market outlook for these 15 HV equipment categories: HV01 – FACTS and RPC, HV02 – HVDC, HV03 – Air Insulated Substations, HV04 – Gas Insulated Substations, HV05 – Air Insulated Switchgear, HV06 – Gas Insulated Switchgear, HV07 – High Voltage Bushings, HV08 – High Voltage Capacitors, HV09 – High Voltage Circuit Breakers, HV10 – HV Disconnect Switches, HV11 – High Voltage Circuit Switchers, HV12 – HV Instrument Transformers, HV13 – Air Core Reactors, HV14 – HV Surge Arrestors, HV15 – Specialized Generator Circuit Breakers.

Other topical series published this year by Newton-Evans Research are also available including: substation automation (13 market segment snapshots), power transformers (11 market segment snapshots), distribution automation (12 market segment snapshots), protective relays (8 market segment snapshots), and medium voltage equipment (20 market overviews). The final series to be released in November will cover a range of T&D control systems (11 market segment overviews).

Further information on this new series of more than 90 U.S. electric power transmission and distribution market snapshots is available from Newton-Evans Research Company, 10176 Baltimore National Pike, Suite 204, Ellicott City, Maryland 21042. Phone: 410-465-7316 or visit www.newton-evans.com for a brochure or to order any of the related report series or individual report summaries online. For those interested in subscriptions to multiple report series, please call or email us for special introductory pricing offers. Khristina Newton can be reached at knewton@newton-evans.com.

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Newton-Evans Research Releases Nine Market Snapshot Reports on Distribution Automation Topics Covering the Electric Power Industry in the United States

Estimated U.S. Sales of Distribution Automation Components, Including Equipment and Services, Accounted for more than $500 Million in 2011, Forecast to Increase to $704 Million by 2014.

August 1, 2012. Ellicott City, Maryland. The Newton-Evans Research Company has announced its publication of a set of nine U.S. distribution automation market two-page summaries. The new series of market overview reports (executive market summaries) includes supplier listings, representative products, and estimated market size for each topic, vendor market share estimates and market outlook through 2014. Electric utilities accounted for about 87% of all purchases of distribution automation related goods and services. A majority of distribution automation equipment purchased by American utilities and industrial firms currently is produced in the United States.

The Distribution Automation series ($975.00 for all report summaries or $150.00 per individual report summary) includes U.S. market size, market share estimates and market outlook for these 9 DA product and service categories: DA01 – Automatic Circuit Recloser Controls; DA02 – DA/DMS System Components (including distribution network analysis; distribution network condition monitoring and fault location and characterization) ; DA03 – Voltage Regulators; DA04 – Capacitor Bank Controllers; DA05 – Fault Indicators (covering both fault current indicators and faulted circuit indicators); DA06 – Pole Top RTUs; DA07 – Line Mounted Monitoring Devices; DA08 – Communications Components for DA (covering PLC/DLC; cellular and 900Mhz); and, DA09 – Engineering Services for Distribution Automation Projects (covering consulting engineering services, related services provided by manufacturers; DA services provided by smart grid consulting specialists).

Other topical series currently available include: substation automation (13 market segment snapshots), power transformers (11 market segment snapshots), protective relays (8 market segment snapshots), and medium voltage equipment (20 market overviews). The final two series to be released later in August cover high voltage equipment market summaries (16 market segment overviews) and T&D control systems (11 market segment overviews).

Further information on this new series of U.S. T&D market snapshots is available from Newton-Evans Research Company, 10176 Baltimore National Pike, Suite 204, Ellicott City, Maryland 21042. Phone: 410-465-7316 or visit www.newton-evans.com for a brochure or to order any of the related report series or more than 90 planned individual report summaries online. For those interested in subscriptions to multiple report series, please call or email us for special introductory pricing offers. Khristina Newton can be reached at knewton@newton-evans.com.

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U.S. Sales of Medium Voltage Equipment, Components and Related Services Accounted for More than $10 Billion in 2011, Forecast to Increase to $11.5 Billion in 2014.

Newton-Evans Research Publishes Set of U.S. Electric Power T&D Market Summaries for 18 specific medium voltage distribution equipment categories.

The Newton-Evans Research Company has announced the publication of a series of 18 electric power distribution market two-page snapshot market summaries. The new series of market overview reports (executive market summaries) includes supplier listings, representative products, estimated market size for each topic, vendor market share estimates, and a market outlook through 2014. Electric utilities accounted for nearly two-thirds of purchases of the medium voltage product categories in this series. A majority of the included equipment and products were produced in the United States.

The Medium Voltage equipment series is priced at $1,500 for all 18 market summary reports, or at $150.00 for individual report summaries. Each snapshot report include estimates of U.S. market size, supplier market share and outlook through 2014 for these categories:
MV01 – Air Insulated Metal Clad Switchgear
MV02 – MV Motor Controllers
MV03 – MV Gas Insulated Switchgear
MV04 – Automatic Circuit Reclosers
MV05 – Outdoor Distribution Circuit Breakers (5-38kv)
MV06 – Load Interrupter Switchgear
MV07 – Overhead Disconnect Switches (15-38kv)
MV08 – Sectionalizers
MV09 – Fused Cutouts
MV10 – Pad Mounted Switchgear
MV11 – Submersible Switchgear
MV12 – Bus Duct and Bus Bar
MV13 – Substation Class Pad Mounted Capacitors
MV14 – Current/Instrument Transformers
MV15 – Fault Current Limiters
MV16 – Fault Current Indicators and Faulted Circuit Indicators
MV17 – Current Limiting Fuses and Fuse Links
MV18 – Surge Arresters.

Other U.S. T&D market snapshot series currently available include power transformers (11 market segment snapshots), protective relays (8 market segment snapshots) and substation automation components (13 market segment snapshots). The next series to be released covers Distribution Automation in 12 market summaries, and is planned for publication later in July, 2012.

Click Here for a brochure or to place an order for any of the related report series or more than 50 currently available individual T&D report summaries online. For subscriptions to all of the currently available report series, please call or email us for special introductory pricing offers info@newton-evans.com

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U.S. Sales of Substation Automation Components and Related Services Accounted for $1.2 Billion in 2011, Forecast to Increase to $1.8 Billion in 2014.

Newton-Evans Research Publishes Set of U.S. Electric Power T&D Market Summaries for 13 specific substation automation equipment categories.

June 18, 2012. Ellicott City, Maryland. The Newton-Evans Research Company has announced the publication of a series of 13 electric power T&D substation automation market two-page snapshot summaries. The new series of market overview reports (executive market summaries) includes supplier listings, representative products, and estimated market size for each topic, vendor market share estimates and market outlook through 2014. Electric utilities accounted for about 80% of purchases of the substation automation product categories. A majority of the substation automation components and relay products were produced in the United States. Digital protective relays accounted for about 40% of all substation automation spending in the U.S. market in 2011.

The Substation Automation series is priced at $975 for all 13 market summary reports, or at $150.00 for individual report summaries. Each snapshot report include estimates of U.S. market size, supplier market share and outlook through 2014 for these substation automation-related product/service categories: SA01 – Remote Terminal Units; SA02 – Programmable Logic controllers; SA03 – Substation Automation Platforms; SA04 – Multifunction Meters and Recorders; SA05 – Inter-Utility Revenue Meters; SA06 – Digital Relays; SA07 – Digital Fault Recorders; SA08 – Sequence of Events Recorders; SA09 – Power Quality Recorders; SA10 – Substation Reclosers; SA11 – Substation Automation Integration Specialists; SA12 – Substation Communications; and SA13 – Substation Voltage Regulation Equipment.

Other T&D market snapshot series currently available include power transformers (11 market segment snapshots) and protective relays (8 market segment snapshots). The upcoming series of medium voltage equipment market summaries is planned for publication later in June, 2012.

Further information on this new series of U.S. T&D market snapshots is available from Newton-Evans Research Company, 10176 Baltimore National Pike, Suite 204, Ellicott City, Maryland 21042. Phone: 410-465-7316 or visit www.newton-evans.com for a brochure or to order any of the related report series or more than 90 planned individual report summaries online. For subscriptions to all three of the currently available report series, please call or email us for special introductory pricing offers. Khristina Newton can be reached at knewton@newton-evans.com.

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Estimated U.S. Sales of Power and Distribution Transformers Accounted for $4 Billion in 2011, Forecast to Increase to $4.7 Billion in 2014.

Newton-Evans Research Publishes Eleven Market Snapshot Reports on Power Transformer Industry in the United States

June 8, 2012. Ellicott City, Maryland. The Newton-Evans Research Company has announced its publication of a set of 11 U.S. transformer market two-page summaries. The new series of market overview reports (executive market summaries) includes supplier listings, representative products, and estimated market size for each topic, vendor market share estimates and market outlook through 2014. Electric utilities accounted for about 88% of purchases of small, medium and large power transformers and distribution transformers.

A majority of both power transformers and distribution transformers were produced in the United States. Distribution transformers (wet and dry types) accounted for about 50% of all transformer shipment values in the U.S. market in 2011, in spite of the low level of new residential and small commercial construction. Fewer very large power transformers now are imported, thanks to the U.S. siting of transformer production facilities by several major manufacturers over the past few years.

The Power Transformer series ($975.00) includes U.S. market size, market share estimates and market outlook for these 11 transformer-related product and service categories: TX01 – Mobile Transformers; TX02 – Medium Power Transformers; TX03 – Medium-Large Power Transformers; TX04 – Large Power Transformers; TX05 – Very Large Power Transformers; TX06 – Shunt Reactors; TX07 – Special Transformers (Arc, Furnace); TX08 – Distribution Transformers (OH, Oil, 5kva+); TX09 – Distribution Transformers (Dry Type); TX10 – Transformer Life Management Services; and TX11 – Transformer Monitoring & Diagnostics.

Other topical series currently available include substation automation (13 market segment snapshots) and protective relays (8 market segment snapshots). Upcoming series to be released include medium voltage equipment (20 summaries) and high voltage equipment market summaries (16 summaries. Both of these series are planned for publication later in June, 2012.

Further information on this new series of U.S. T&D market snapshots is available from Newton-Evans Research Company, 10176 Baltimore National Pike, Suite 204, Ellicott City, Maryland 21042. Phone: 410-465-7316 or visit www.newton-evans.com for a brochure or to order any of the related report series or more than 90 planned individual report summaries online. For those interested in subscriptions to multiple report series, please call or email us for special introductory pricing offers. Khristina Newton can be reached at knewton@newton-evans.com.

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2012-2014 Protection and Control Study Released after Five Months of Intensive Research

Findings from Newton-Evans Study of Protective Relay Uses and Trends in the World’s Electric Power Utilities Depict a Receptive Market for Incorporating Advanced Technological Capabilities

Global Study Finds Continuing Growth in Protective Relay Market with Commitment to Increasing Protection Coordination and Grid Security Practices

 Role of Synchrophasors and Teleprotection Continues to Grow…Providing Better Situational Awareness and Visualization to Help Prevent Outages

April 12, 2012 Ellicott City, Maryland. Newton-Evans Research Company has completed a five-month research study and survey of protective relay usage patterns in the world community of electric power utilities. Findings from more than 100 North American and international utilities, point to some new trends in adoption and use of protection and control techniques.

Among the key findings reported in the four volume study are these:

  •  The percentage of digital relays in the mix of all protective relays used by utilities continues to increase.
  •  The vast majority of new and retrofit units being purchased are also digital relays, but in some of the protection applications studied, such as motor protection and large generator applications, and in installations where electrical interference is strong, electromechanical and older solid state relays continue to have a niche market position.
  •  The annual world market for protective relays and related power systems protection devices continues to grow at a healthy pace.
  •  Manufacturers of utility systems protection equipment continue to expand their market coverage, with more than 20 firms each enjoying at least some share of the global market.
  •  Real-time analysis of synchrophasor data will become a major application for the emerging field of operational analytics.
  •  Communications protocol usage patterns continue to serve as a differentiator between the majority of large and mid-size North American utilities and their international counterparts.

The Newton-Evans survey of electric utilities included more than 20 detailed product functionality, related technical questions, and market-related issues, together incorporating more than 250 items of information from each of the participating utilities.

The 2012-2014 study is a series of four reports published this month. These reports are geared to the planning needs of protective relay suppliers, power industry consultants, and utility protection and control departments. These volumes include the North American Market Study, the International Market Study, Supplier Profiles, and Global Market Assessment and Outlook.

Further information on the research series The World Market for Protective Relays in Electric Utilities: 2012-2014 is available from Newton-Evans Research Company, 10176 Baltimore National Pike, Suite 204, Ellicott City, Maryland 21042. Phone: 410-465-7316 or visit www.newton-evans.com for additional information or to order the report series online. Liz Forrest can be reached at eforrest@newton-evans.com .

 

 

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New Substation Automation U.S. Market Overview Reports

The Market Summary Series for Substation Automation is now available for purchase (see our reports page). These reports are an effective, low-cost approach for management to quickly obtain an assessment and overview of key attributes of each industry segment, including 2011 estimates of U.S. market size for utilities (by type) and for industrials; key players, and the near-term outlook for the segment.

Each report includes definitions of what is included in the segment, lists of market participants and their estimated 2011 revenue, a market share assessment (pie chart), 2011 market size range estimates, history and outlook of estimated spending changes out to 2014.

These 2-page summary reports are available for $195 each, or get all 13 Substation Automation reports in one .pdf document for $975. View our reports page for more details.

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Newest Report: Utility Data Communications Market Study in 3 Volumes

Despite economic uncertainty, Outlook for Investment on Utility Telecommunications Upgrades during 2012-2014 remains positive, influenced by a new generation of field automation applications and advanced metering.

Study Finds Growth in Wireless Investment to Outpace Increases in Wireline Data Communications Over Near-Term and Mid-Term

Slow Rulings Related to Rate Restructuring and Real-Time Pricing Initiatives Viewed as Holding Back Some Near-Term Investment in Electric Utility Communications Upgrades.

JANUARY 3, 2011 ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Newton-Evans Research Company, Inc. announced completion of a three-volume report series focusing on data communications in the electric power industry. Survey findings from over 100 electric utilities worldwide indicate:

1) 88% of utility respondents agree that open protocols provide a degree of protection from premature obsolescence of products, but 58% of indicated they have experienced products that are supposedly standardized/open/interoperable which have not functioned as expected or promised by the vendor.

2) Only 11% of all respondents think that the use of synchrophasor technology will be a main driver in Smart Grid communications requirements, and 10% believe that synchrophasors will be the catalyst to adopt IEC standard 61850. (However, 48% said they were “neutral” regarding either statement.)

3) When asked, “What are some of the key data communications issues facing your utility?” responses to this question ranged from “Cost,” “Reliability,” and “Security” (the three most frequently mentioned) to other issues like technology obsolescence, bandwidth, interoperability, lack of standardization, spectrum availability, NERC CIP compliance, latency, terrain-topography , and scalability. See the accompanying illustration.

4) A follow up question to this was, “What do vendors need to do to address these issues?”. The most frequently identifiable sentiment could be paraphrased as, “Be more attentive to Utility requirements, communicate more, work together.” This was followed by comments mentioning “Standardization.” It is clear from this feedback that utilities expect increased cooperation from their communications equipment suppliers and services providers than they may have experienced to date. On the other hand, if vendors need to adapt their solutions and tailor their products and services to fit the situational needs of varying utility profiles, then they have their work cut out for them. Collaborative research and development may provide a feasible compromise solution.

Volume One of the three volume study includes detailed survey findings on grid operational telecommunications usage patterns and plans from over 100 electric utilities in 24 countries.
Volume Two contains profiles for 22 of the leading communications solutions providers and includes more than 30 smart grid communications-centric project summaries from around the world. Volume Three provides an in-depth assessment and outlook for the smart grid telecommunications market and summary of key market influences.

Level 1 – Reliability, Cost, Security
Level 2 – Bandwidth, Spectrum, Staffing
Level 3 – Protocols, Interoperability, Migration Paths
Level 4 – Obsolescence, NERC CIP, Carrier Limitations, Standards

Additional information on the three volume study Global Study of Data Communications Usage Patterns and Plans in the Electric Power Industry: 2011-2015 is available from Newton-Evans Research Company, 10176 Baltimore National Pike, Suite 204, Ellicott City, Maryland 21042. Phone 1-410-465-7316 or visit www.newton-evans.com to access the report brochure. The three-volume report is priced at $3,750.00 and can be ordered and downloaded online. Khrissy Newton can also be reached at knewton@newton-evans.com to provide any additional information regarding the new report series.

 

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Newton-Evans to Prepare and Publish 92 T&D Infrastructure and Smart Grid Market Briefs During December 2011-June 2012

Newton-Evans Research to publish a new series of 92 North American market overview briefs on key segments of T&D Equipment and Automation Systems

Market briefs available beginning in December 2011 will include relevant summary profile information on a wide range of equipment, systems and services

Click here for more details and a listing of report topics

With more than 30 years of in-depth industry studies behind our 2012 planning efforts, we believe that now is the time to compile to-the-point individual market segment report summaries to assist North American industry planners coping with an uncertain, but cautiously optimistic, outlook for the 2012-2015 periods.

We are encouraging our clients to assist us in prioritizing our publication roll-out for these market briefs and to inform us if we are overlooking any product, system or services area of interest.

A listing of all 92 research topics is available upon request to Newton-Evans Research Company.

 

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Interoperability and Open Protocols Rank as Key Determinants for Utility Data Communications Plans

Initial Findings Depict Newer Data Communications Technologies and Services Being Adopted by World’s Electric Power Utilities

The brochure describing this multi-volume study can be found on our BROCHURES page  http://www.newton-evans.com/?page_id=1258.  Note that as of October 25, 100+ utilities from North America and more than 20 international countries have participated in the survey portion of the study.

The Newton-Evans Research Company has released initial findings from its extensive research program looking into electric power utility use of various telecommunications technologies and plans for adding capabilities to meet the requirements of the emerging smart grid. The ongoing research program is titled “Global Study of Data Communications Usage Patterns and Plans in the Electric Power Industry: 2011-2015.”

 

With more than 45 of the world’s leading utilities having joined the study as of October 5, here is a summary of a few key observations at the mid-point in the study:

AMI Projects: While power line carrier technology led in mentions of data communications technologies being used for at least some portion of meter communications, nearly one-third reported having no plans for AMI deployments at this time and 20% were undecided about their eventual choice of AMI communications methods.

Plans for connecting smart and advanced meters to the utility’s telecommunications network varied, with 36% saying they had no such plans. Just over one quarter cited use of public cellular services, 24% reported some use of RF mesh networks, and 13% reported use or plans to use point-to-multipoint radio. Many utilities are now taking a “wait and see’ attitude toward AMI with regulatory decisions not yet rendered in several states and international regions. There is still a good amount of discussion over AMI benefits, costs, communications approaches, data ownership, as well as meter data management and consumer privacy issues.

Interoperability and Open Protocols: One question group in the Newton-Evans’ survey measures the level of agreement or disagreement with 11 statements related to communications issues that were contributed by suppliers and utilities: (interoperability, SLAs, Industry Pace of Change, open protocols, synchrophasor use, and others). Among these topics, two have received strong indications of “agreement” among survey participants thus far along in the study. These are: interoperability being important to the utility, and the use of open protocols providing a “degree of protection from premature product obsolescence.

IP and Smart Grid Communications: The majority of respondents to date concur on the notion of using IP for all smart grid communications. However, 20% of the initial group indicated that they do not support standardizing on the use of IP for any SG communications.

Communications for Distribution Automation: Distribution Automation (DA) is a key component of smart grid. For DA, 40% of utilities surveyed to date use licensed point-to-multipoint communications, and thirty-eight percent use unlicensed point-to-multipoint. Numerous other technologies and approaches to DA communications were also mentioned including cellular, POTS, frame relay, paging, GPRS, fiber, leased lines, and private fiber-based Ethernet.

Responding utilities are also providing input on related DA questions: “Which communication technologies do you use for DA backhaul?” and also asked “Which DA communications network technology do you think will be dominant at your utility 3 years from now?” including reasons why a specific DA Backhaul technology is dominant at this time.

Smart Grid Communications: The study includes feedback sections on communications plans for five key smart grid component areas. Findings will be further detailed by world region and by utility ownership type and size. The three volume study is priced at $4,250.00, and can be ordered online and downloaded from the Newton-Evans web site from November 1, 2011 onward. Pre-publication report orders will be granted a $500.00 discount.

Spending on Utility Telecommunications: Earlier studies conducted by Newton-Evans Research estimated the total value of telecommunications expenditures in the global electric power industry at about $13 billion per year. About $5.4 billion of this total was allocated for data communications.

Public versus Private Networks: The debate on private versus public ownership of utility telecommunications networks is not going to end soon, based on findings reported here. It seems entirely likely that a majority of electric utility networks in North America and several international regions will remain essentially private, supplemented by the prudent use of commercial network services for less critical activities.

Additional information about the three volume report: Global Study of Data Communications Usage Patterns and Plans in the Electric Power Industry: 2011-2015 can be found in the Newton-Evans Research Company’s MARKET TRENDS DIGEST (Third Quarter 2011 edition can be viewed at www.newton-evans.com, or eforrest@newton-evans.com), or by telephone at 1-800-222-2856. Newton-Evans Research Company is located at Suite 204, 10176 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, Maryland 21042.

The brochure describing the study can be found on our BROCHURES page  http://www.newton-evans.com/?page_id=1258.  Note that as of October 25, 100+ utilities have participated in the study.

Be sure to check “Chuck’s Composite” page for a late October update column!

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April Release of Global CAPEX/OPEX Tracking Study Finds Increased 2011 CAPEX and O&M Budgets Planned for Several Smart Grid-Related Automation and Infrastructure Categories

Utility CAPEX/OPEX Report Published with Results of First Quarter 2011 Newton-Evans Study of Electric Power T&D Investment

Ellicott City, Maryland – April 4, 2011. The Newton-Evans Research Company today announced the publication of its fourth study in the multi-year tracking research program looking into electric power utility CAPEX budgets related to smart grid investments and infrastructure spending plans.

Findings from the first quarter 2011 Newton-Evans global tracking study of electric power transmission and distribution investment remain positive, comparable with the three earlier tracking studies conducted in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Each of five smart grid component areas, plus transmission and distribution infrastructure development, has been reported by utilities located in 28 countries to more likely be either “increased” or “unchanged” rather than “decreased” from the 2010 study. The highest percentages of officials reporting increases were in the areas of substation automation and energy management systems. See Figure 1.

Continue reading April Release of Global CAPEX/OPEX Tracking Study Finds Increased 2011 CAPEX and O&M Budgets Planned for Several Smart Grid-Related Automation and Infrastructure Categories

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Increases in Substation Related Automation and Integration Program Spending Reported by North American Electric Power Utilities

The Newton-Evans Research Company has released findings from the North American volume of its newly published four volume research series entitled: The World Market for Substation Automation and Integration Programs in Electric Utilities: 2011-2013. The new study compares the current round of research findings with earlier tracking studies conducted by the firm.

Newton-Evans Research estimates the current North American spending for substation automation and integration programs at more than $500 million, with an overall potential market size of nearly $10 billion. Global potential is estimated at about $38-$40 billion. This amount includes spending for a wide range of intelligent substation-resident equipment and devices and the manpower to undertake the systems integration efforts required.

The years 2008-2009 were slow growth – or at best moderate growth – years in most categories of intelligent electronic equipment sales related to the modern, increasingly digital, electric power substation. Fewer retrofit programs were undertaken except for the most critical of substations. The pool of funding for substation automation projects increased somewhat by virtue of a portion of the stimulus funds made available by the U.S. Department of Energy, with most of this amount likely to be spent in 2011-2012.

Additional topics being covered in the four volume series of substation automation studies include strong coverage of multiple communications topics, vendor security certification requirements, external systems linkages to the substation, preferred equipment suppliers, and an assessment of where North America’s electric power substations are positioned along a three-phase path to complete automation.

Level of automation of substations reported in North American survey sample
transmission substations automated

distribution substations automated

Respondents indicated a total of 1,567 transmission substations and 5,154 distribution substations in operation as of the 4th quarter of 2010. These represent a 9% sample of U.S. and Canadian combined totals of transmission voltage substations and nearly 10% of all distribution voltage substations.

It seems surprising that as of 2010, there were significant numbers of transmission substations reported to have no IEDs and no automation, although retrofit programs over the 2011-2013 period will likely improve the status of more than one-half of those currently non-automated substations.

Of 5,154 distribution substations in operation at participating utilities, nearly 36% were reported to be without any automation. Just over one-half (52%) of these distribution substations were classified as Stage 1 sites (having some IEDs, RTUs, and two-way communications). About 12% were reported to be “fully automated.”

The finding that 60 new transmission substations and 170 new distribution substations are on the drawing board for construction by 2013 provides some cautious optimism for EPC firms, as this level of planning is a sign of re-investment in grid-essential infrastructure.

The World Market for Substation Automation and Integration Programs in Electric Utilities: 2011-2013 Volume 1, North American Market is available for $2,500. To order volumes of these reports as they become available, and to view pricing details for all our reports, visit our Market Research Reports page. For samples or to view the table of contents, send a request to info@newton-evans.com with the subject line “Substation Automation Market 2011.”

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Density of Distribution Network Intelligent Electronic Devices Seen as Key to Selection of DA Communications Approach

March 13, 2010 —Ellicott City, Maryland. The Newton-Evans Research Company today announced the publication of its newest report titled, “Distribution Automation: Trends, Developments and Retrospectives 2007-2018.” This report is a compilation of findings from several recently completed Newton-Evans’ market and technology studies and includes new and updated tables on smart field device density, communication approaches planned for adoption for DA, DA market size projections, DA adoption rates, and CAPEX and O&M budget trends for DA. Continue reading Density of Distribution Network Intelligent Electronic Devices Seen as Key to Selection of DA Communications Approach