The Newton-Evans Research Company has released findings from the International volume (Volume 2) of its newly published four volume research series entitled: The World Market for Substation Automation and Integration Programs in Electric Utilities: 2014-2016. In addition to looking at plans for over 20 types of equipment commonly used in substation-wide automation and integration programs, this 200+page report includes a comprehensive look at the market trends for:
- choice of communication protocols within and between substations, and from substation to control center
- wireless devices inside the substation
- number of Ethernet ports in a substation
- number of simultaneous wireless connections allowed
- protocol encryption and redundancy
- communications architectures and links
- Time Synchronization methods
- protective relays
- outsourcing of substation-related services
Key findings from 5 other recently Newton-Evans studies on substation-related topics accompanies the information gathered in late 2013 from thirty-two global electric power utilities that participated in the latest five-page survey. A total of 96 unique utilities located in 57 countries around the world participated in one or more sections of the substation modernization study. On average, these international utility officials participated in two or three of the six topical surveys that form this report.
Some observations:
Potential obstacles to implementing substation automation and integration for both new and retrofit substations through year-end 2016
Similar to 2011, very few utilities ranked any of the listed “potential obstacles” as a 5. Of all the listed challenged, the two that least stand in the way are “Lack of appropriate communications technology inside the fence” and “Lack of appropriate communications technology substation to master.” Over 60% of respondents ranked these a 1 (“doesn’t stand in our way.”)
For new substations, “security concerns” was rated a 4 by 4 out of 31 respondents, as were “Not enough skilled internal staff” and “Substation equipment vendor community will not have required “open” products and equipment by year end 2016.”
Choice of protocol within the substation, between substations, and from the substation to the external host or network.
Within the substation, international utility respondents cited use of IEC 61850 as well as the variants for IEC 60870-5. Followed by Modbus (serial, LAN and Plus) versions. For the minority of utilities performing any peer-to-peer substations communications, IEC 60870-5 -101 and -104, led in mentions. These were closely followed by SEL mirrored bits, and by DNP 3, Growth in use of IEC 61850 for peer-to-peer communications is planned by this group. IEC 60870 variants were also the most widely used protocols for substation-to-control center communications internationally. Some DNP, common legacy protocols were also being used for substation-to-control center communications.
Additional information on the International substation market report, and the other three reports comprising the four volume study “Worldwide Market for Substation Automation and Integration Programs in Electric Utilities:2014-2016” is available from Newton-Evans Research Company, 10176 Baltimore National Pike, Suite 204, Ellicott City, Maryland 21042.
Phone 1-410-465-7316, write to info@newton-evans.com and see our reports page for more details.
An introductory price of only $1,495.00 for Volume Two is available to new subscribers until March 8, 2014.
summary reviews and highlights from completed studies
