Through the end of 2011, selected Newton-Evans reports are 20% off list price. See our Market Research Reports page for more details. This is a great opportunity for some year-end savings on an outstanding selection of informative, authoritative market studies.
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.
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
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
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.
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!
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
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).
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.
Schneider Electric and Telvent: Climbing the Global Smart Grid Ladder . . . and Moving Up Fast!
Initial Impressions – By Chuck Newton
Overall, given the first impression of this prospective corporate marriage, I think that the proposed acquisition of Telvent by Schneider rivals the importance of ABB’s acquisition of Ventyx. In some ways it overshadows that 2010 event. Here’s why:
Schneider is a very large (about $30 billion USD) French-based global corporation headquartered in Rueil-Malmaison, a near-in suburb located just to the west of Paris. The company has recently grown fairly well organically and with a number of strategically well-thought-out acquisitions, including the very visible “AREVA D”, Areva’s medium voltage equipment and systems business, which acquisition was finalized in mid-2010. That acquisition provided the basis for Schneider’s formation of a fifth business sector – “Energy”, reported separately as a line of business for the first time in the company’s 2010 annual report.
However, the Areva D buy-in was just one more drop (albeit a large drop) in the growing bucket of acquisitions recently completed by Schneider Electric. During the past 24 months, the company has acquired the Persian Gulf’s CIMAC (an industrial systems integrator), the SCADAgroup (Australian control systems supplier), Electroshield-TM Samara, (Russia’s largest producer of MV electrical equipment), Conzerve (India-based supplier of industrial energy management schemes) and Microsol Tecnologia (Brazilian supplier of power conditioning equipment); Uniflair SpA, (Italian manufacturer of precision cooling equipment). Schneider further strengthened its hand in building automation and energy efficiency systems with its acquisitions of two French firms, Vizelia (energy management software for commercial buildings) and D5X, specializing in space utilization of commercial buildings.
To continue reading this article in its entirety, jump to Chuck’s Composite page: http://www.newton-evans.com/?page_id=799
Progress Report on Newton-Evans Smart Grid Outlook Research Program
In April, 2011, we began a significant undertaking to learn the latest information about the “real world” of smart grid development initiatives among the nation’s and the world’s electric power utilities. We hope to better understand the shape of the demand curve for smart grid initiatives once the multi-billion dollar government stimulus funds already awarded become depleted. What will the domestic follow-on look like? Will new funding come from utilities, the public, the industry’s solutions providers, or one or more levels of government? Will collaborative efforts shorten development and piloting cycles?
Click here to read more.
April Release of Global CAPEX/OPEX Tracking Study Finds Increased 2011 CAPEX and O&M Budgets Planned for Several Smart Grid-Related Automation and Infrastructure Categories
Utility CAPEX/OPEX Report Published with Results of First Quarter 2011 Newton-Evans Study of Electric Power T&D Investment
Ellicott City, Maryland – April 4, 2011. The Newton-Evans Research Company today announced the publication of its fourth study in the multi-year tracking research program looking into electric power utility CAPEX budgets related to smart grid investments and infrastructure spending plans.
Findings from the first quarter 2011 Newton-Evans global tracking study of electric power transmission and distribution investment remain positive, comparable with the three earlier tracking studies conducted in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Each of five smart grid component areas, plus transmission and distribution infrastructure development, has been reported by utilities located in 28 countries to more likely be either “increased” or “unchanged” rather than “decreased” from the 2010 study. The highest percentages of officials reporting increases were in the areas of substation automation and energy management systems. See Figure 1.
First Quarter 2011 Market Trends Digest Packed with New Research Findings. Now Available on-line!
Here is our first quarter line-up for our thousands of readers of “MTD” from around the world
Market Trends Digest – The “Dean” of smart grid Journals
The Newton-Evans team has developed the articles for the 1st quarter 2011 edition of one of the earliest and most widely praised smart grid journals – Market Trends Digest – launched in 1991 and continuing to add readers in 2011.
CAPEX 2011
The new Market Trends Digest edition features highlights from our new 1st quarter 2011 study of spending on smart grid components from around the world. The 2011 CAPEX study will also be available shortly – on 1 April – with many pre-publication subscribers eager to review this report, the fourth in our “tracking” series of informative planned spending reports on smart grid.
2011 Substation Automation Research Series
Next is an in-depth article of highlights from our newest studies of substation automation. The 2011-2013 study series contains four volumes of research, and is available for purchase on the web site, by email request, or by telephoning the Newton-Evans staff. The series has been well-received by the initial round of subscribers and sponsors.
IEC 61850: Is It Finally Coming of Age in North America, Or Not?
The next three articles cover new findings for projecting North American acceptance of IEC 61850. Titled “The Future Role of IEC 61850”, this article documents some of the progress finally being made with regard to this international standard. Next, we identified several North American regional
“centers of excellence” when it comes to IEC 61850 developments as highlighted in the second of the 61850 articles. Finally, a profile of one of the larger G, T&D services companies leading the 61850 charge with extensive training, testing and support services – Toronto-based Kinectrics, Inc.
Sale: 15% Off Two Major Newton-Evans Studies
Through March 31st, Newton-Evans will be taking 15% off all volumes of the following report series:
- The World Market for Substation Automation and Integration Programs in Electric Utilities: 2011-2013
- The World Market Study of SCADA, Energy Management Systems and Distribution Management Systems in Electric Utilities: 2010-2012
See our Market Research Reports page for pricing or to order either of these reports during the sale.
Increases in Substation Related Automation and Integration Program Spending Reported by North American Electric Power Utilities
The Newton-Evans Research Company has released findings from the North American volume of its newly published four volume research series entitled: The World Market for Substation Automation and Integration Programs in Electric Utilities: 2011-2013. The new study compares the current round of research findings with earlier tracking studies conducted by the firm.
Newton-Evans Research estimates the current North American spending for substation automation and integration programs at more than $500 million, with an overall potential market size of nearly $10 billion. Global potential is estimated at about $38-$40 billion. This amount includes spending for a wide range of intelligent substation-resident equipment and devices and the manpower to undertake the systems integration efforts required.
The years 2008-2009 were slow growth – or at best moderate growth – years in most categories of intelligent electronic equipment sales related to the modern, increasingly digital, electric power substation. Fewer retrofit programs were undertaken except for the most critical of substations. The pool of funding for substation automation projects increased somewhat by virtue of a portion of the stimulus funds made available by the U.S. Department of Energy, with most of this amount likely to be spent in 2011-2012.
Additional topics being covered in the four volume series of substation automation studies include strong coverage of multiple communications topics, vendor security certification requirements, external systems linkages to the substation, preferred equipment suppliers, and an assessment of where North America’s electric power substations are positioned along a three-phase path to complete automation.
Level of automation of substations reported in North American survey sample
Respondents indicated a total of 1,567 transmission substations and 5,154 distribution substations in operation as of the 4th quarter of 2010. These represent a 9% sample of U.S. and Canadian combined totals of transmission voltage substations and nearly 10% of all distribution voltage substations.
It seems surprising that as of 2010, there were significant numbers of transmission substations reported to have no IEDs and no automation, although retrofit programs over the 2011-2013 period will likely improve the status of more than one-half of those currently non-automated substations.
Of 5,154 distribution substations in operation at participating utilities, nearly 36% were reported to be without any automation. Just over one-half (52%) of these distribution substations were classified as Stage 1 sites (having some IEDs, RTUs, and two-way communications). About 12% were reported to be “fully automated.”
The finding that 60 new transmission substations and 170 new distribution substations are on the drawing board for construction by 2013 provides some cautious optimism for EPC firms, as this level of planning is a sign of re-investment in grid-essential infrastructure.
The World Market for Substation Automation and Integration Programs in Electric Utilities: 2011-2013 Volume 1, North American Market is available for $2,500. To order volumes of these reports as they become available, and to view pricing details for all our reports, visit our Market Research Reports page. For samples or to view the table of contents, send a request to info@newton-evans.com with the subject line “Substation Automation Market 2011.”
Preview our Research Topics – Plans for 2011
*************** 2011 Plans Announced ***************
We have outlined an aggressive research agenda for the coming year, based on fourth quarter 2010 discussions with our clients and industry contacts: Of course, we will also concurrently be conducting multiple proprietary studies for clients old and new on many electric power infrastructure and automation topics.
The Newton-Evans’ multi-client study topics and report prices for the coming year include:
First Quarter: 2011 Annual Outlook for CAPEX and OPEX in the World’s Electric Utilities. (Fourth Edition) (Price: $495.00)
Second Quarter: The Worldwide Smart Grid Market in 2011: A Reality Check and Five Year Outlook Through 2015: Four Volumes: (Price: $3,750.00)
Third Quarter: Global Study of Data Communications Usage Patterns and Plans in the Electric Power Industry: Four Volumes (Price: $4,500.00)
Fourth Quarter: 8th Edition of The Worldwide Study of the Protective Relay Marketplace in Electric Utilities: 2011-2013: Four Volumes (Price: $5,750.00)
Other Titles Likely (as resource availability permits):
IEC 61850 in North America….Gaining Traction?
Global Outlook for Synchrophasor Programs: 2011-2015
Demand Response: North American Market Outlook: 2011-2015
T&D Equipment Markets in North America: 2010-2015
******* Cautious Optimism remains the byword to the outlook for 2011-2012!
See Chuck’s Composite viewpoints at http://www.newton-evans.com/?page_id=799
“2010 U.S. Smart Grid Vendor Ecosystem” The new DOE Report Substantiates Newton-Evans’ Findings and Insights
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).
In the News . . . Mid-October Update
On October 12, 2010, IBM Corporation and Kyoto Publishing announced the publication of the IBM report titled Generating Insights: Accelerating Into a New Era in Energy. The report explores how the global electric utility industry continues to be reinvented through new technologies and confronting opportunities regarding business strategy, technology innovation, customer interface, regulation, security and consumer demand.
A series of IBM authors and contributors from Oracle, Juniper Networks, Black & Veatch, Southern California Edison, the Global Intelligent Utility Network Coalition, and the Newton-Evans Research Company make up this compilation of white papers in the tenth annual Energy & Utilities project. The project includes papers on topics such as: Collaborating for a Smarter Grid; The Impact of Smart Grid on Climate Change; Smart Grid Security and Architectural Thinking; The New Era In Distributed Generation; Smart Nuclear Power; Keeping the Lights on While Transforming Electric Utilities; and the Newton-Evans contribution, Re-Investing in Electric Power Utilities to Build A Smarter Grid.
The full IBM report can be downloaded (after sign-up) at http://www.generatinginsights.com/
Also, Chuck’s article, Sailing the Seven “C’s” With CISCO and Itron has been featured in the October 2010 issue of PowerGrid International magazine. Click here to read the October 2010 issue.
Sailing the Seven “C’s” With CISCO and Itron
by Chuck Newton
The September 1, 2010 announcement of a formal collaboration between CISCO and Itron was notable in several respects. First, the simple announcement was termed “collaboration” instead of “joint venture” or even a formal “partnership.” It was also described as non-exclusive, but was a very important step forward nonetheless for both companies, especially for Itron, and serves as a good omen for the AMI portion of “smart grid” communications in general, thus likely to benefit other AMI market participants that offer communications solutions as part of their go-to-market strategies.
CISCO is a $35 billion company, with an estimated $2-3 billion (Newton-Evans estimate) found within energy-related vertical industry sales of its communications equipment. Itron itself will close in on being a $2 billion corporation again in 2010, with about 50% of revenues derived from electric power industry AMR/AMI sales and services. Continue reading Sailing the Seven “C’s” With CISCO and Itron
Measuring the Impact of GE Energy’s Acquisition of SNC Lavalin ECS Business Unit
August 2, 2010. Well, it was inevitable that GE would make a play for a larger share of the global EMS/SCADA/DMS market and today the company announced the acquisition of the Montreal-based Energy Control Systems business unit of SNC Lavalin. With this acquisition, Newton-Evans believes GE Energy now ranks fourth in the world in terms of numbers of significant energy management, large SCADA and large distribution management systems. Note that the “GENe” name of the ECS’ offerings might just be an added plus!
A few quick facts about the impact of this acquisition:
Continue reading Measuring the Impact of GE Energy’s Acquisition of SNC Lavalin ECS Business Unit
summary reviews and highlights from completed studies
