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Protective Relays and IT/OT Convergence: What Will Be Trending in 2019?

In 2016, Newton-Evans Research Company conducted a six-month research study of protective relay usage patterns in the world community of electric power utilities. Findings from 114 large and mid-size utilities in 28 countries pointed to some newer trends in adoption and use of protection and control technology. Newton-Evans Research Company plans to update this market study in January of 2019: Worldwide Study of the Protective Relay Marketplace: 2019-2022.

Here are some findings from the survey that was conducted in 2016, when we asked utilities how they collect IT information from OT networks:

Where do you provide demarcation between the physical IT and OT networks in order to safely collect IT information from the OT networks? (Check all that apply)
NORTH AMERICA: In 2016, just over half of North American respondents said the demarcation between physical IT and OT networks is at the control center, and 47% said demarcation is in the substation. Seven respondents said demarcation between the two networks is provided at both the control center and in the substation.

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Newton-Evans Study Finds Market for Relay-Centric Devices and Controls Expanding with Emergence and Growth of Newer Industry Segments

In 2016, Newton-Evans Research Company conducted a six-month research study of protective relay usage patterns in the world community of electric power utilities. Findings from 114 large and mid-size utilities in 28 countries pointed to some newer trends in adoption and use of protection and control technology.

Importance of Purchasing “Known” Relays: Sixty-five percent of the North American respondents strongly agreed with the statement, “It is important that we purchase known relays (a proven product with which we have had prior experience).” Overall, 97% of North American respondents strongly agreed (65%) or agreed (32%). Three people were neutral about this statement. None of the respondents expressed any level of disagreement. Eighty-two percent of North American utilities serving more than 500,000 electricity end users strongly agreed with this statement.

Fifty-three percent of international respondents strongly agreed with this statement. Forty-one percent agreed only somewhat. One person disagreed and one person was neutral about this statement.

Agree or Disagree: “It is important that we purchase known relays (a proven product with which we have had prior experience.)”

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Worldwide Study of the Protective Relay Marketplace in Electric Utilities: 2019-2022

Beginning early in January, Newton-Evans Research Company will again be gathering survey-based data for its newest four-volume market study, the Worldwide Study of the Protective Relay Marketplace: 2019-2022, planned for publication late 1st quarter 2019. Some of the questions this study will answer include: 1) Will IEC 61850-based protective relay products gain a higher market share among North American utilities? 2) Is there a change coming in protective relay market leadership? 3) With growing utility emphasis on DA, the integration of renewables, storage devices and demand-side management tools, will there be a need for additional protective relays in MV substations and embedded in a new generation of distributed field equipment?

The 2019 study will measure current market sizes and will include market projections on a world region basis for the next few years. The extensive research program will define the product and market requirements which suppliers must meet in order to successfully participate in one or more of these diverse world market regions.

Newton-Evans Research Company estimates from our earlier 2016 relay market study indicate that the North American protective relay market then stood at $660 million for the combined utility and industrial market segments. It will be important for the P&C community to learn how changes in the world market and grid modernization since 2016 will affect the outlook for 2019-2022.

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