EMS, SCADA, DMS Study. The first volume (North America) of this expansive four-volume study will be released in July. We have already surpassed the levels of participation obtained in the past two studies, with more than 100 mid-size to TOP 10 electric power utilities providing their control systems usage patterns and plans. Meanwhile, the international research effort is coming along well, with utilities from more than 20 countries participating within the first two weeks of commencing this portion of the study. The Supplier Profiles volume is being updated with fresh information from all leading integrators of T&D control systems around the world.
Substation Automation Study. This study is revving up to get underway with client inputs and reviews of the survey questions. The new survey will be fielded worldwide in late September through early November. We again hope to obtain participation from about one half of significant world electric power utilities.
Global Electric Utility CAPEX Report: Completed in the first quarter of 2010, this report has been quoted in business publications and used in briefings by some of the very large management consulting firms around the world. The formal title is Global CAPEX and O&M Expenditure Outlook for Electric Power Transmission and Distribution Investments: 2010-2011 – Funding Outlook for Smart Grid Development.
Smart Grid Investments: This U.S. market study has found that there are many non-stimulus funded (e.g., non-ARRA) smart grid projects planned or already underway among the electric power utilities of the nation. The formal title is Smart Grid Projects 2010: Stimulus-backed and Independently Funded Smart Grid Projects to be Underway in 2010 or Later.
Distribution Automation: The April 2010 release of our compilation of existing research together with a 10 year outlook for DA has met with solidly positive reviews by report purchasers. The report is entitled: Distribution Automation: Trends, Developments and Retrospectives: 2007-2018.
Client Engagements during January-June 2010:
Topical studies have been completed, or are underway, on a number of key components of the smart grid. Here are a few highlights:
A recently completed study of high-voltage substation construction study has found that a majority of plans are continuing to be acted upon, or have funding over the near-term but mid-term and longer range plans have yet to be approved for funding.
A client study on communications infrastructure requirements for the emerging distribution automation market in North America suggested that customer density and feeder automation devices will play a role in communications technology selection. It appears that no single approach is capable of meeting all operational requirements for a DA deployment and a “mix” selection of data communications technologies is likely to be a more effective and reliable (though somewhat more costly) solution for most large urban utilities.
Technology Transfer for Smart Grid: This ongoing client study of the role for large, complex command and control systems technology in smart grid development is piquing interest among federal, regional and state level electric power reliability organizations. Such a system can greatly improve situational understanding for the reliability, security and safety of the tiered bulk power systems. The technology available from this client today can readily be adapted to bring situational awareness to the next (higher) level of overall electric power grid oversight, monitoring and management, be that at the state, regional or national level.
In line Grid Monitoring – There has been an upsurge in R&D, testing/piloting and commercializing a new generation of sensor-based approaches to perform remote monitoring for both HV and MV power lines and distribution feeders. In-line clamp-on installations (as opposed to pole-top) installations are among the approaches being evaluated by our firm for some unique, entrepreneurial companies, relying on Newton-Evans’ research findings for guidance.
Newton-Evans Research Company has been blessed this year with many new customers for its reports, with sales completed to more than 40 first-time report purchasers during the first six months of 2010. We are approaching a combined total of 75 business clients and report purchasers to date this year, our 32nd year of conducting real-world, full-scale marketing research for the energy industry, with most of that effort applied to the global electric power industry. Look for our third quarter 2010 edition of the highly regarded Newton-Evans Research periodical, Market Trends Digest, to be available soon. There is a virtual treasure trove of marketing research highlights in the archives of earlier editions of the digest available on our web site.
summary reviews and highlights from completed studies
