According to a new market research report "Substation Automation Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2014 - 2020," the market was valued at US$96.52 billion in 2013, which is expected to reach US$139.34 billion by 2020, growing at a CAGR of 5.4% from 2014 to 2020.
Substation automation is an integral part of electrical system for generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. The combination of devices used to change the characteristics of electric supply such as voltage, p.f. and frequency among others is called substation. Substations are used to receive electricity at high voltage from the transmission and decrease the voltage to the appropriate level so that it can be used for local distribution. The build metrics and impact metrics are the major parameters used to determine the efficiency of an automated substation. Impact metrics determine the impact on the grid response and its associated human resource, infrastructure and the consumers after deployment of smart grid. Build metrics monitors the progress while building the smart grid infrastructure and is similar to project management type metrics. On the basis of the components substation automation market can be segmented into recloser controller, programmable logic controller, capacitor bank controller, digital transducer/smart meter, load tap controller, communication channel and digital relays among others.
Communication channel segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2013. Apart from this, it is also expected to be the fastest growing segment in the coming years growing at a CAGR of 13.1% from 2014 to 2020. In terms of module, intelligent electronic devices (IED) segment held the highest market share, in 2013. Increasing demand for reduction in the outrage time and improving transmission and distribution efficiency are the major factors driving the growth in this segment. The communication network segment is expected to grow the fastest, growing at a CAGR of 13.1% from 2014 to 2020.
Apart from this, the increased need to reduce transmission and distribution loss is also fuelling the growth of substation automation market. In addition, the need to reduce outrage time by real time monitoring of faults and using automated systems to resume services is also boosting the growth of substation automation market. North America is the largest market for substation automation as this region is having large number of automated substations. Moreover, the increasing demand for electricity and increasing number of smart grids is also fuelling the growth in this region. Asia Pacific is emerging market for substation automation and is expected to grow at the fastest rate among all regions. The rapid industrialization and upcoming power utilities are the major factors boosting the growth in this region. Apart from this, cost saving opportunities provided by the application of automated substations is also fuelling the growth of substation automation market. India and China are the major markets supporting the growth in this region.
