Newton-Evans Research studies and findings have figured prominently in domestic U.S. energy policy reporting and analysis over the past decade and longer. This time, the U.S. Department of Energy’s latest smart grid publication titled 2010 U.S. Smart Grid Vendor Ecosystem authored by the San Francisco-based firm The Cleantech Group LLC includes a substantial amount of Newton-Evans’ recent research findings.
More than a dozen Newton-Evans charts depicting the firm’s recent findings on substation automation, distribution automation, energy management, SCADA systems, communications and CAPEX topics form an integral part of this newly released 91 page report on the companies and market dynamics shaping the current U.S. smart grid landscape.
In the acknowledgments (page 18) of the Cleantech report the authors state:
“We would like to thank Chuck Newton, from Newton-Evans Research, whose work is referenced in numerous sections of this report for his contributions and insights into the market particularly around distribution and substation automation….”
The new DOE report can be downloaded here: http://www.energy.gov/media/Smart-Grid-Vendor.pdf
Over the past 18 months, Newton-Evans reports have figured prominently in the U.S. government’s intensive investigation into the potential of the development of the smart grid. Our company’s findings have been used or referenced in congressional hearings and reports as well as serving as the basis for the recent report produced by Idaho National Labs titled: National SCADA Testbed Substation Automation Evaluation Report.
This substation automation evaluation used research conducted by Newton-Evans Research Company for some of its observations and results. The Newton-Evans Report aided in the determination of what is the state of substation automation in North American electric utilities. Idaho National Laboratory cyber security experts aided in the determination of what cyber vulnerabilities may pose a threat to electrical substations. This report includes cyber vulnerabilities as well as recommended mitigations. It also describes specific cyber issues found in typical substation automation configurations within the electric utility industry. National SCADA Testbed Substation Automation Evaluation Report, released in October 2009, can be downloaded here: http://www.inl.gov/technicalpublications/Documents/4374057.pdf
An additional 2009 report from INL entitled Study of Security Attributes of Smart Grid Systems – Current Cyber Security Issues provides good coverage of key cyber security issues confronting smart grid systems and components. Reference to Newton-Evans’ collaboration with INL on substation automation cyber security research is noted in this report. The study can be downloaded here: http://www.inl.gov/scada/publications/d/securing_the_smart_grid_current_issues.pdf
On the international scene, Newton-Evans has recently conducted worldwide surveys of power utility engineering managers that have proven useful in providing guidance for CIGRE working groups on topics including wireless (Wi-Fi) Protected Access for Substation Protection and Control (WG B5.22)and for The Impact of Implementing Security Requirements for IEC 61850 (WG B5.38).
summary reviews and highlights from completed studies
