ConnectivityWeek 2012 to bring in more than 100 top speakers from utilities, technology, government and energy consumption.

Top keynote speakers include United States Chief Technology Officer, California Public Utility Commissioner, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Energy, Senior Vice President (SVP) and Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), and more, to help define market for Energy 2.0.

ConnectivityWeek 2012 is gathering top speakers representing utilities, energy consumers, government and technology players to spark the dialogue that will help define the market for Energy 2.0, May 22-24, 2012, in Santa Clara, Calif.

Kicking off the conference as part of the May 22 opening Green Button plenary are Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of the U.S.A. Todd Park and California Public Utility Commissioner Catherine Sandoval.

Following this Green Button-focused plenary, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Assistant Secretary Pat Hoffman will announce winners of the highly anticipated “Apps for Energy” contest, which has been put together by the DOE and its partners: Grid 21, Itron and PG&E. Hoffman will be joined onstage by Karen Austin, SVP and CIO of PG&E; Bill Reichert, Managing Director of Garage Technology Ventures; and more.

The breadth of speakers at ConnectivityWeek 2012 comprise the Energy 2.0 landscape and include representatives from energy supply, technology, electricity consumption verticals, and government
Where and When

ConnectivityWeek 2012 will take place May 22-24, 2012 at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA.

For more information on this conference visit www.connectivityweek.com/2012/

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. Eric Leivo can be reached at eleivo@newton-evans.com  . Liz Forrest can be reached at eforrest@newton-evans.com .

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.

ABB now “Walking in Memphis” with Thomas & Betts, after singing “Georgia on My Mind” with its 2010 purchase of Ventyx and the “Song of Arkansas” for its 2011 acquisition of Baldor Electric.

After ABB’s May 2010 acquisition of Ventyx that now appears to have strengthened its hand somewhat in the control center-based systems market for EMS, SCADA and DMS  (see www.newton-evans.com/?p=646 ), and the company’s follow-on purchase of Baldor Electric Company (Fort Smith, Arkansas), a leader in electric motor manufacturing, ABB has now announced its intent to acquire Thomas & Betts.  T&B is a leading supplier of low voltage gear, and a respectable share participant (via its own recent acquisition of Joslyn Hi Voltage) in the market for medium voltage switchgear.  Among its products serving the utility and construction markets are: digital static transfer switches, integrated systems – dual feed & static switch PDUs, power distribution systems, circuit management, industrial UPS, surge protection devices and power quality services are among its MV/LV products.

Joslyn Hi-Voltage manufactures power transmission and distribution equipment for electric utilities. The company’s offerings include reclosers, sectionalizers, capacitor switches and controls, transfer switches,  distribution automation equipment, disconnect switches, load break switches, underground switches, and VacStat vacuum interrupter monitors.  Fisher Pierce distribution products manufactured by Joslyn Hi-Voltage include Powerflex and AutoCap capacitor controls and Smartset software, faulted circuit indicators (FCIs), line post current sensors, and Smartlink communications.

So, what’s behind the spate of U.S. acquisitions made by ABB over the past 24 months?  Here are four solid reasons that we think support ABB’s strategic and decisive actions:

First, the strategic planners within ABB are certainly looking to strengthen the company’s position in the three related utility-centric markets of power generation, transmission and distribution.  Ventyx has helped with the company’s total array of “smart grid” related offerings with its IT and OT capabilities.  Baldor had provided ABB with additional  inroads to the motor market, and now T&B will provide the company with access and distribution channels for low voltage products, and help fill in product line gaps with its Joslyn HV/MV product offerings.

Secondly, look at the gain in ABB’s access to the construction and industrial segments, both of which may see some upswing by mid-2012.  T&B plays an important role as well in serving the needs of mid-size utilities across the country and to some extent, internationally.  This provides ABB with additional openings into the public power utilities and cooperative utility communities.

Thirdly, I think ABB has correctly identified the “new elephant” in the global electric power marketplace as Schneider Electric.  This acquisition marks the first significant industry reaction to Schneider’s key role around the world in low voltage equipment (as well as some MV offerings by virtue of the division of assets of the former Areva T&D) and Schneider’s extremely well-developed marketing channel strategy.

Fourthly, is ABB’s response to the near-term global economic outlook.  By virtue of its continuing focus on North American acquisitions, ABB is avoiding the as-yet unresolved Euro-crisis in terms of purchase prices and values, and near-term European market outlook.  Coupled with the fact that North American construction and industrial activity will likely pick up the pace this year (given what we have seen thus far into 2012), the acquisition certainly makes sense to me.

As far as downsides to the string of acquisitions, the biggest complaint I have seen among financial analysts commenting in the press for all three acquisitions, is the premium paid for these companies, relative to earnings, market value or recent year revenues.  On the other hand, ABB has the financial resources and the access to capital markets that together enable the company to take these decisive strategic actions to improve its overall market position in North America, and around the world.

-          Chuck Newton

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.

January 3, 2012 -  Marks the publication launch date for the Newton-Evans’ three-volume study “Global Study of Data Communications Usage Patterns and Plans in the Electric Power Industry 2011-2015”

The Newton-Evans Research team has been working on its three volume study of Data Communications Usage Patterns and Trends for Smart Grid over the past several months. We have been successful in obtaining cooperation from more than 100 leading utilities around the world for this major new study.  Discussions with leading equipment vendors, services providers, consultants and analyst colleagues have been completed.

We are pleased to announce that as of January 3, 2012, the three volume report will be available for online ordering via the Newton-Evans website. The report series is priced at $3,750.00 for the complete set.

For the month of January, we are pleased to offer both the well-received 2011 three-volume Smart Grid study series and the three-volume Data Communications series for a total price of only $5,750.00. This is a significant savings and a real value to any smaller-to-mid-size organization now active, or planning to become active, in the development of smart grid for the world community of electric power utilities, ISOs and RTOs. To take advantage of this offer, place your order over the phone by calling us at +1 410 465 7316 or toll free 800 222 2856.

For special pricing information on these and other critically acclaimed Newton-Evans studies published in 2010 and 2011, please call Khrissy Newton at 410-465-7316.

New Studies Underway
1) The acclaimed series of protective relay studies (now in its tenth edition) is formally underway. Look for progress updates on  the Newton-Evans’ website during January. This is another of Newton-Evans’ multinational studies with participation from each world region, involving more than 25 countries, anticipated.

2) A current study of Automatic Generation Control practices among ISOs/RTOs and large utilities is in progress and will be finalized during January.

3) The “To the Point” series of short, concise reports on more than 75 T&D topics is now underway, with monthly releases of 5-7 reports expected during 2012.

The findings presented and excerpted from this three-volume study are based on a global research survey sent out by Newton-Evans over the course of the second, third and fourth quarters of 2011. One hundred and two utility officials involved in Operations and Telecommunications Planning and Design responded to the survey. These utilities combined serve over 153 million end use customers globally; 30 million in the U.S. alone. Volume Two includes many case studies of smart grid communications projects and Volume Three provides a fresh outlook for telecommunications expenditures and trends over the 2012-2014 period.

What are some of the key datacomm issues facing your utility?
In summary, when reviewing the comments received from most of the participating utilities, there is almost a different issue or sets of issues facing each utility when it comes to key data communications challenges. Newton-Evans’ analysts have grouped the large number of responses into several categories. The most frequently mentioned issue across all 81 comments was Cost (mentioned in 22 comments) followed by Reliability (mentioned in 16 comments) and Security (15 comments.) Other issues mentioned included zoning approval for new radio towers, communications carriers facing the same economic pressures as utilities, choosing a DA communications technology, the impact of data management on computing and human resources, lack of ability to manage disparate systems with utility resources, and others.

Through the end of 2011, selected Newton-Evans reports are 20% off list price. See our Market Research Reports page for more details.  This is a great opportunity for some year-end savings on an outstanding selection of informative, authoritative market studies.

Further news on the economy and its relationship to smart grid developments came from two sources in early November:

(1) The U.S. Federal Reserve Statement; and (2)  the Continuing Eurozone Crisis;

See “Chuck’s Composite” page for our take on these developments and their likely effect on the Newton-Evans latest “Smart Grid – A Reality Check” study outlook. At year-end we will have a region-by-region and country-by-country update for each of 20 smart grid categories.  The update will be sent to all 2011 clients for the “Smart Grid- A Reality Check” series.

We wanted to make it easy for our readers, clients and visitors to locate brochures for the various report products we have made available and are currently developing in-house. Three very current topics are the multi-client focal points for us at this time: Protective Relaying; Utility Data Communications for the Smart grid; and, Smart Grid Outlook-A Reality Check.

Note that the protective relaying study series and the data communications study series brochures offer pre-publication pricing through mid-November.

We will soon be placing the brochure for the upcoming T&D infrastructure series of 92 topical “to the point” report summaries online as well.

Here are some brochures (opens as .pdf)
Global study of protective relays

Global Utility Data Communications Report Series

Smart Grid: A Reality Check report series