As the smart grid has evolved, most of the media and public focus has been on consumer-facing products and technologies, such as smart meters, automated metering, and home energy management systems. While those areas are undeniably important, technologies in the distribution tier of utility systems remain critical to the efficient and reliable operation of today’s energy networks as well as to the realization of the smart grid’s full potential and promise. Indeed, utilities have not lost sight of the critical importance of their distribution systems.
Utilities have been automating their distribution infrastructure since the 1960s, and the term “distribution automation” is said to have originated in the 1970s. From a business standpoint, the utility industry long has understood that distribution automation (DA) can yield significant cost savings through measurable improvements to operational efficiency, reliability, service quality, and energy conservation – all of which can contribute to customer satisfaction. Distribution automation is a key component of the smart grid, imbuing it with the very intelligence it needs to be smart, and Pike Research forecasts that this smart grid market sector is poised for a period of robust growth over the next several years.
This Pike Research report forecasts the size and growth of the worldwide distribution automation market by region and technology segment through 2015. The report analyzes market factors and technology issues that affect the DA market’s growth, and it addresses the key applications producing benefits and value for utility customers. Detailed profiles are also included for prominent utilities, industry vendors, and other players involved in the DA ecosystem.
Key questions addressed:
- How big is the DA market today?
- How big will it be in 2015?
- What is the CAGR for the DA market worldwide?
- Which segments of the DA market will experience the strongest growth?
- What factors are driving growth in DA?
- What are the key applications driving deployment of DA?
- Which vendors are active in the space?
- How does DA contribute to the realization of the smart grid?
Who needs this report?
- Utilities
- Vendors of digital switchgear
- Vendors of DA application technologies
- SCADA and management-system vendors
- Network infrastructure vendors
- Government agencies
- Investor community
Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary
2. Market Issues
2.1 Introduction and Background
2.2 The Business Case for Distribution Automation
2.2.1 Business Drivers
2.3 Market Opportunities
2.3.1 Volt/VAR Optimization
2.3.2 Fault Detection, Isolation, and Restoration
2.3.3 Feeder Protection and Control
2.4 Digital Switchgear
2.4.1 Distribution Transformers
2.4.2 Reclosers
2.4.3 Sectionalizers
2.4.4 Disconnect Switches
2.4.5 Fused Cutout Switches
2.5 Other Field Equipment Relevant to DA Applications
2.5.1 Capacitor Banks
2.5.2 Voltage Regulators
2.5.3 Fault Indicators and Sensors
2.6 SCADA for Distribution Automation
2.7 Market Challenges and Threats
2.7.1 Standards and Interoperability
2.7.2 Regulatory Issues
3. Technology Issues
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Standards and Interoperability
3.2.1 IEC 61850
3.3 Legacy Technologies
3.4 Communications Networks
3.5 Security
3.6 Reliability Metrics
4. Key Industry Players
4.1 Key Players
4.2 Utilities
4.2.1 American Electric Power
4.2.2 Duke Energy
4.2.3 Florida Power & Light
4.2.4 Hydro One
4.2.5 Hydro-Québec
4.2.6 Idaho Power
4.2.7 National Grid
4.2.8 Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company
4.2.9 Progress Energy
4.2.10 Southern Company
4.2.11 Tucson Electric Power
4.3 Switchgear Vendors
4.3.1 ABB Group
4.3.2 Cooper Power Systems
4.3.3 G&W Electric
4.3.4 GE Energy
4.3.5 Lucy Switchgear
4.3.6 NOJA Power Switchgear
4.3.7 S&C Electric
4.3.8 Schneider Electric
4.3.9 Siemens Energy
4.4 Management, Control, and Optimization (Including SCADA and Volt/VAR)
4.4.1 Current Group
4.4.2 DC Systems
4.4.3 Open Systems International Inc.
4.4.4 NovaTech
4.4.5 PCS UtiliData
4.4.6 Radius
4.4.7 Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories
4.4.8 Telvent
4.5 Communications and Networking
4.5.1 Cisco Systems
4.5.2 Landis+Gyr
4.5.3 Sensus
4.5.4 Silver Spring Networks
4.5.5 Tantalus
4.5.6 Trilliant
4.6 Consultants and Integrators
4.6.1 Accenture
4.6.2 EnerNex Corp.
4.6.3 IBM
5. Market Forecasts
5.1 Worldwide Distribution Automation Market
5.2 Distribution Automation Revenue by Region
5.3 Worldwide Distribution Automation Market by Technology
5.3.1 Distribution Switchgear
5.3.2 Volt/VAR Systems
5.3.3 Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery
5.3.4 Feeder Protection and Control
6. Company Directory
7. Acronym and Abbreviation List
8. Table of Contents
9. Table of Charts and Figures
10. Scope of Study, Sources and Methodology, Notes
List of Charts and Figures
- Distribution Automation Revenue, World Markets: 2008-2015
- Distribution Automation Revenue by Region, World Markets: 2008-2015
- Distribution Automation Revenue by Technology, World Markets: 2010-2015
- Distribution Switchgear Revenue, World Markets: 2010-2015
- Volt/VAR Revenue, World Markets: 2010-2015
- Fault Detection/Isolation Revenue, World Markets: 2010-2015
- Feeder Protection/Control Revenue, World Markets: 2010-2015
List of Tables
- Distribution Automation Revenue, World Markets: 2008-2015
- Distribution Automation Revenue by Region, World Markets: 2008-2015
- Distribution Automation Revenue by Technology, World Markets: 2010-2015