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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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ABB and Tropos Networks: Adding Another Company to ABB’s Basket of Smart Grid “Goodies” alongside the Thomas & Betts and Ventyx Acquisitions

The brief ABB announcement of June 1, coupled with Tropos Networks CEO’s note to friends of the company on June 4, highlight this new acquisition achievement on the part of ABB’s strategic planning groups based in Switzerland (and Germany, and Sweden, and the U.S.A.).

Some readers may not be aware that ABB is a key global player in the utility telecommunications field, winning contracts annually worth hundreds of millions of dollars with its own extensive communications equipment offerings, and supplemented by one of the world’s largest telecommunications network design and development service organizations.

Internationally, many countries outsource the design and development/upgrading of telecommunications networks across the energy spectrum. This is especially true for the developing regions of the world. Key participants in this billion dollar-plus marketplace include the global control systems companies such as Siemens and Alstom Grid, along with ABB. Other key participants in energy telecommunications network development include Alcatel, DIMA, RFL, Selta and Telvent.

Let’s take a closer look at this key ABB acquisition. First, keep in mind that one of the few “gaps” remaining in ABB’s rather pervasive communications offerings is wireless mesh technology. This gap is found in the wireless mesh portion of Tier Two network requirements, and may well extend to “Tier Three” level of utility/energy telecommunications – the field area networks required for distribution automation (not to the NAN or to the meter). ABB has a long and successful history of providing telecommunications systems for Tier One (backbone network infrastructure) and much of Tier Two (backhaul) networks for utilities and energy companies around the world, mainly outside of North America. This opens many doors to ABB clients who have worked with the company in the development of the first two tiers, and who are preparing for additions to Tier Two and work on Tier Three network development. See the chart below.

(c) 2012 by Newton-Evans Research Company

 

ABB is a highly regarded telecommunications equipment manufacturer (or OEM buyer) in just about every other communications technology area that impacts energy and manufacturing industries, including multiplexing, teleprotection, local area network switches, power line carrier equipment, microwave systems and voice communications. Its wide ranging “Fox-family” product offerings have played a key role in its success in energy telecommunications. ABB engineering skillsets and capabilities can be found in radio, microwave, telephony, fiber (SONET and SDH), BPL and PLC technologies.

Tropos Networks, a 12 year-old privately-held Silicon Valley firm, has grown from start-up status to leader, and an international market participant, in the growing market for wireless mesh technology to support smart grid initiatives, (especially for advanced metering infrastructure, and to some extent for distribution automation) and has a leading position in the provision of municipal/metro area broadband services.  The company has shipped some 60,000 routers to more than 850 customers in 50+ countries to date.

However, reading between the lines of this important acquisition, in addition to gaining wireless mesh products, the synergistic benefits accruing to ABB also include the small but strong engineering and support services staff of Tropos Networks, which now will be able to tackle assignments yet to be won by ABB that are further afield from its North American roots. This service capability supplements the company’s highly touted line of wireless mesh equipment. Tropos Networks products and services will also gain a market position in the gas/oil pipeline business and in certain industrial and mining applications where wireless mesh technology can be used as an adjunct with other specialized ABB-developed communications approaches. Freshen up those passports, Tropos staff!

The recent Newton-Evans publication “Global Study of Data Communications Usage Patterns and Plans in the Electric Power Industry: 2011-2015” may be a valuable resource in your company’s plans for the upcoming re-development of grid telecommunications infrastructure. Interested readers can download a brochure and excerpts from this report series on our “reports” tab at www.newton-evans.com .

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Eaton Corporation Buying Cooper Industries: Cleveland meets Houston (via Maynooth, Ireland): and, more to the point for the Electric Power Community, Pittsburgh meets Waukesha

Looking Ahead to The Likely Impact on the Electric Power Industry
On May 21, 2012, Eaton Corp. formally concluded an agreement to purchase Cooper Industries PLC in a cash-and-stock deal valued at more than $11 billion. The combined power-related operations will provide a significantly expanded market position in some key growth areas of the worldwide electrical power and distribution industry and positions the combined business entity as a key participant in the evolving “smart grid” marketplace. Together, these firms earned $21.5 billion in 2011 revenue.

The deal, as publicly announced, would create a company (to be known as Eaton Global PLC) that manufactures products and provides a range of power-related services for a wide range of electrical uses, from power grids and lighting to electrical, hydraulic and transmission systems for vehicles, the aerospace industry and the military.

This combined revenue base of $21.5 billion is larger than that of some other major players in the electric power industry (such as Alstom Grid) but is short of global leaders like ABB ($38B), GE ($45 B), Schneider Electric ($29 B) and Siemens ($36B). However, when one takes away the “power generation” revenues of ABB, GE and Siemens, the revenue differences shrink considerably. On the other hand, some units of Eaton Global are themselves only tangentially involved in the electric power industry.

The new company is likely to be called Eaton Global Corp. PLC, planned to be incorporated in Ireland and headed by Eaton Chairman and CEO Alexander Cutler. The deal will first need shareholder approvals at both companies and acceptance by the Irish High Court. The deal is expected to conclude in the fourth quarter (late Autumn) of 2012.

Interesting times indeed! A quick review of Eaton’s Electric Distribution and Control business in North America (and Eaton Electrical internationally) together with a review of the Cooper Power Systems offerings leads us to believe the following:

  • Point One: Cooper is a leader in T&D infrastructure and first level smart grid (non-metering), and in several low voltage areas (lighting, small load management) while Eaton is a very strong player in the middle area (commercial and industrial enterprises, some utility-derived revenues and some residential market revenues). In the oil/gas energy field, it would be analogous to stating that Cooper is active in the upstream and downstream aspects of the business, while Eaton is a mainstay in the midstream arena.
  • Point Two: The Eaton C-H line of protective relays will benefit with the inclusion of Cooper Power’s Edison line of digital relays.
  • Point Three: Together, both companies’ lines of protective relays will move them to a combined revenue position behind SEL, GE and ABB, moving up on Basler, ahead of Beckwith and others.

Here are Newton-Evans’ first impressions of how the competitive landscape will likely be changing with the synergistic effects of this combined corporate entity:

Protective Relays
Effect on Eaton Global: The new company will benefit from combined offerings (complementary)
Effect on the Industry: The combined operations will move the new company into fifth place in North American market shares.

Automation and Control Products
Effect on Eaton Global: Positive effect on new company’s “smart grid” market position and market perception.
Effect on the Industry: Provides solid array of offerings vis-à-vis GE, ABB, Siemens, Schneider.

Circuit Protection
Effect on Eaton Global: The positive and complementary offerings of Eaton Electrical and Cooper Bussman will help the new company grow its position.
Effect on the Industry: Most likely Schneider will see increased competitive thrust around the world.

PQ Monitoring
Effect on Eaton Global: Will be viewed as a true international provider of power quality monitoring, moving up on the global stage in this industry segment.
Effect on the Industry: Likely competitive impact on mid-size firms active in PQ market. (Megger, Dranetz, Power Monitors and several others).

T&D and Power Related Services
Effect on Eaton Global: A truly wide-ranging combined offering from T&D services to industrial, commercial and even residential power-related services.
Effect on the Industry: Will not “steal” shares from others as much as help the total services market (capacity) domestically and internationally. Will still gain competitively vis-a-vis less well rounded offerings of other global services providers.

Cooper Industries
Founded: 1833
Number of Employees: 31,000
Annual Revenue: $5.4 Billion (Cooper Industries), $1.3 Billion (Cooper Power Systems)

o Cooper Power Systems has been meeting electrical distribution needs since 1985, and the companies that make up Cooper have been serving the industry even longer. These companies include: McGraw-Edison, RTE, Kearney, Edison, Combined Technologies, Kyle, Lin Material, McGraw, and Electromanufacturas, SA (Mexico).

o These Cooper Power subsidiary companies helped shape modern electrical distribution systems with advances in overcurrent and overvoltage protection, switchgear, underground distribution, and other product developments.

o Protective Relay Products and Services
Cooper Power Systems manufactures a wide range of medium and high voltage electrical equipment, components and systems for the utility and industrial markets. Used in substations, overhead, underground and in-plant medium voltage distribution systems, the products include:

o Single and three-phase overhead and pad-mounted transformers, substation transformers, power capacitors and controls, voltage regulators and controls, reclosers, pad-mounted switchgear, air-break switches, vacuum switches, sectionalizers, fault interrupters, current-limiting fuses, surge arresters, cable connectors and accessories, transformers components, line construction materials, tools and grounding equipment, faulted circuit indicators, protective relays, SCADA system software, distribution automation equipment, power systems analysis software, and system studies and event measurement services.

In 1998, the company introduced the NOVA solid insulation reclosers and the STAR faulted circuit indicator. In 1999, Cooper introduced the Pathfinder faulted circuit indicator and high firepoint dielectric fluid.

Edison Relays
The Edison line of relays is comprised of 18 compact, draw-out relays which are identical in appearance and operation. Edison relays are designed with ease of use in mind. Offering state of the art performance, all Edison relays feature an easy to use front panel interface that will have you up and running in minutes, rather than hours or days as with most other relays. And since all relays share the same interface, the knowledge you gain from using one relay is transportable to every other relay in the line. All Edison relays feature Modbus communications for easily interfacing to SCADA or automation systems.

DIN Rail Mount Relays
Cooper also offers three very compact, powerful, and economical DIN rail mount relays covering overcurrent and motor applications.

Eaton Corporation Company Overview
Founded: 1911
Sales (2011): $16.1 billion
# of employees: 73,000

Eaton Corporation is a diversified power management company and a global technology leader in electrical components and systems for power quality, distribution and control; hydraulics components, systems and services for industrial and mobile equipment; aerospace fuel, hydraulics and pneumatic systems for commercial and military use; and truck and automotive drivetrain and powertrain systems for performance, fuel economy and safety. Eaton has approximately 75,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.

Protective Relay Products and Services
Control and automation equipment include contactors and motor starters, variable speed drives, photoelectric and proximity sensors, PanelMate video control panels, microprocessor-based control and protection devices, as well as pushbuttons and switches, all designed to enhance factory performance.

Power distribution equipment includes a family of circuit breakers, ranging from miniature breakers rated from 120 volts up to world-class vacuum breakers rated up to 38 kilovolts. Other products of this division include integrated facility systems, LV circuit breakers, panel boards, power management, surge protection, switchboards and transfer switches.

The company’s power management protection relays include:
MP3000 Motor Protection Relay – Advanced microprocessor-based motor protection relay that is easy to set up and use. It monitors, controls and protects three-phase induction motors of any size or voltage level against overload, thermal damage to rotor or stator, electrical faults, and excessive starting, and many process equipment failures.

MP4000 Motor Protection Relay- MP-4000 motor protection relay combines all the features required to ensure protection, fault diagnostics, power metering and communication for induction and synchronous motors. The MP-4000 expands upon industry-leading protection, control and diagnostics found in the MP-3000 by adding voltage inputs from Voltage Transformers (VT).

MD3000 Differential Relay- Stand alone self balanced differential protection for critical motors and generators.

DT3000 Feeder Protection Relay – Three phase and ground microprocessor-based overcurrent protection suitable for medium voltage feeder applications, detect and protect against overcurrent faults using ANSI, IEC and thermal curves, with zone interlocking to give you the flexibility to protect your bus without having to add additional CTs.

FP4000 Feeder Protection Relay – Multifunctional microprocessor-based feeder relay with complete current and voltage protection, metering, control and communications in a fixed case package. Multiple setting groups to reduce arc flash energy and zone selective interlocking for bus protection, without having to add additional CTs or relays. Its programming capabilities make it ideal for transfer schemes.

FP5000 Feeder Protection Relay – Multifunctional microprocessor-based feeder relay with complete protection, metering, control and communications in a fixed case or draw-out package. Multiple setting groups to reduce arc flash energy and zone selective interlocking for bus protection, without having to add additional CTs or relays. Its programming capabilities make it ideal for transfer schemes.

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ConnectivityWeek 2012 Gathers 100+ Speakers Defining the Energy 2.0 Market

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/

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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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Initial Take on the January 30, 2012 ABB Acquisition of Thomas & Betts

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

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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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2011 Ends on High Note . . . With the release of our newest market research study: Data Communications in the Global Electric Power Industry

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.

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Excerpts from Volume One of “Global Study of Data Communications Usage Patterns and Plans in the Electric Power Industry: 2012-2014”

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.

Continue reading Excerpts from Volume One of “Global Study of Data Communications Usage Patterns and Plans in the Electric Power Industry: 2012-2014”

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Economic Outlook Revamped Again: Its Effect on “Smart Grid – A Reality Check”

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.

 

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Brochures For 2011-2012 Reports Series Now On Line

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

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Year-End Update Planned for the Smart Grid Outlook Report Series

A major update to the near-term and mid-term outlook for Smart Grid spending provided in volume 3 of the Newton-Evans study: The Worldwide Smart Grid Market in 2011: A Reality Check and Five Year Outlook Through 2015 is being prepared for late fourth quarter release to report series clients.

Subscribers to the recently completed three volume study of global smart grid activities will be receiving a further revision to the Newton-Evans’ outlook for smart grid spending in December. The update will be based on the ongoing research and between- the-lines assessments of fresh economic data released recently by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Asian Development Bank.

Please see Chuck’s Composite page for the detailed write-up of the latest outlook news from two key international non-governmental energy financing and project organizations (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Asian Development Bank).

Please take note that this report series has met with very good market acceptance by our clients. We welcome additional clients for this series while the content and outlook is current. The outlook information will be kept up to date for clients as fresh world regional economic and financial news dictates over the coming year. Chuck’s Composite page is available to all visitors to read the latest on our economic findings and market observations affecting smart grid and smart energy developments.

The smart grid reality check report series can be ordered here

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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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Newton-Evans Research – Active Participation at Several Upcoming Conferences:

Over the next few months, Newton-Evans Research CEO Chuck Newton will be briefing attendees at several conference sessions and participating in a GRIDWEEK panel.  Conference web sites can be found on our ENERGY INDUSTRY CONFERENCES page. Here is the current agenda for the company’s event participation through January 2012

Conference:  GRIDWEEK 2011
Location:  Washington D.C. (Convention Center)
Session:  Utility Analytics Panel (with Energy Central)
Date:  Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Time:  7:00am-8:30am

Conference:  EMS USER GROUP Annual Meeting
Location:  Philadelphia, PA (Doubletree Hotel)
Session:  Briefing on EMS and Control Room Trends
Date:  Monday, September 19, 2011
Time: 09:30-10:15am

Conference:  REMOTE 2011 Conference
Location:  Nashville, TN (Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center)
Session:  Keynote Address:  Technology Transfer in SCADA Using Industries
Date:  Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Time:  09:30-10:15am

Conference:  DISTRIBUTECH 2012
Location:  San Antonio, TX (Convention Center)
Session:  UU 211 – Communications Systems and Networks in Today’s Utility Operations: An Overview of Methodologies, Network Design Considerations, Challenges and Priorities for Smart Grid Communications
Date:  January 23, 2012
Time:  08:00am-12:00pm

Conference:  DISTRIBUTECH 2012
Location:  San Antonio, TX (Convention Center)
Session:  Global Outlook for Smart Grid and Supporting Communications Infrastructure: Trends and Investments: 2011-2015
Date:  January 24, 2012
Time:  1:00pm-2:30pm

Conference:  DISTRIBUTECH 2012
Location:  San Antonio, TX (Convention Center)
Session:  Trends in Protection and Control: Global Findings and Outlook for 2012-2014
Date:  January 25, 2012
Time:  1:30pm-3:00pm

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Findings from Worldwide Smart Grid Market study

A brochure describing the smart grid study and cost can be found on our BROCHURES page.

According to the latest study by Newton-Evans Research Company, 84% of electric utilities are including smart meters as part of their smart grid plan. While this may be unsurprising (considering the important role metering plays in the smart grid), only 49% of electric utilities surveyed said they are including a dynamic pricing plan as part of their smart meter rollout.

Utilities in North America lean more towards “no,” while 64% of international utilities report that “yes,” dynamic pricing is integral to their smart meter implementation. Within North America, IOUs and especially Canadian utilities were slightly more likely to be implementing dynamic pricing along with smart meters (54% and 75% answering “yes” respectively.) See the table below for more detail.

The Worldwide Smart Grid Market in 2011: A Reality Check and Five Year Outlook Through 2015
Electric utility viewpoints and observations in this study are based on input received from 112 electric utilities in 31 different countries. Public Utility Commissions in the United States were also surveyed, and secondary research was conducted to determine the status of smart grid policy in India, Brazil, Mexico and China. This three volume report is available for $3,750 on our reports page or by phone (+1 410 465 7316 or 800 222 2856).

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The Worldwide Smart Grid Market in 2011: A Reality Check and Five Year Outlook Through 2015

The brochure describing the smart grid-reality check  study can be found on our BROCHURES page  http://www.newton-evans.com/?page_id=1258.

The new 150+ page Smart Grid 3-part report is available from July 25 onward:

July 25, 2011—Ellicott City, Maryland. The Newton-Evans Research Company has announced publication of its newest three volume study of “smart grid” research topics.    The study is based on inputs from utilities, regulators and industry equipment manufacturers, systems integrators and consulting firms, as well as highlights from recently completed Newton-Evans studies.

Volume One includes assessment of survey results obtained from utilities in more than 30 countries, together with inputs from regulators from throughout the United States, as well as regulatory findings from China, India, Brazil and Mexico.  Survey topics included utility views and regulatory filings related to real-time pricing, vehicle-to-grid and vehicle-to-building topics.

Volume Two includes sections that describe the current status and outlook for smart grid building blocks including control systems, substation automation, protection and control, outage management, distribution automation, smart infrastructure and automated metering.  The role of communications networks as the integrating force for smart grid development is also detailed.

Volume Three is an attempt to realistically portray the market as it stands in 2011 and as it may look by 2015.  The outlook for specific smart grid developments in each world region and in key countries within several world regions is profiled.  The regional outlooks have been smoothed by taking into account regional variables including GDP, population, economic growth rates, and electrical infrastructure assets (including power generation capacity, actual production, as well as transmission and distribution substations).  The volume also includes survey findings from research conducted with more than 30 global and regional market leaders active in development of the smart grid on the near-term and mid-term outlook for smart grid developments.

Brief overviews of key embryonic aspects of smart grid development are provided.  Included are renewables integration, energy storage, home energy management, and electric vehicle charging stations.  Emerging roles of demand response, synchrophasor developments and visualization tools are also summarized.  This new report series is entitled The Worldwide Smart Grid Market Outlook in 2011: A Reality Check and Five Year Outlook Through 2015.  The study represents a continuing commitment of nearly 35 years of research into the equipment and technologies in use and under development in support of the electric power industry around the world.  Since 1978, Newton-Evans Research Company has been a global leader in power industry automation and electricity infrastructure market studies and has assisted many of the world’s leading utilities in their quest for comparative technology benchmarking information.

The July, 2011 report series is in three volumes and is priced at $3,750.00.  The report is available for immediate download from the company’s website at www.newton-evans.com  or by phone to: 410-465-7316.