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Automation and Control Solutions in the European Power Generation Sector
Frost & Sullivan, May 2006
This Frost & Sullivan research service titled Automation and Control Solutions in the European Power Generation Sector provides an overview of the growing automation and control solutions across major countries in Europe. The study focuses on the current challenges in the market, crucial factors driving market growth and the overall pricing trends. In this research, Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts thoroughly examine the following automation and control solutions: distributed control system (DCS), supervisory control and data acquisition system (SCADA), manufacturing execution system (MES), programmable logic controllers (PLC), industrial asset management (IAM) and human machine interface (HMI).
Market Sectors
Expert Frost & Sullivan analysts thoroughly examine the following market sectors in this research:
- Distributed Control System (DCS)
- Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA)
- Manufacturing Execution System (MES)
- Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)
- Industrial Asset Management (IAM)
- Human Machine Interface (HMI)
Technologies
The following technologies are covered in this research:
- Distributed Control System (DCS): DCS is commonly used to describe the network control architecture found in highly integrated industrial environments. DCS can range from a single controller and operator workstation to large systems incorporating multiple controllers and workstations.
- Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA): SCADA is defined as including software, hardware and services used for the control of geographically dispersed assets. A SCADA system comprises a master terminal unit, one or more field data-gathering units and software used to monitor and remotely control these units.
- Manufacturing Execution System (MES): MES solutions are defined as those including software, hardware components and services. Services are provided to help integrate MES solutions with business planning and production control solutions and also include maintenance and engineering services.
- Programmable Logic Controller (PLC): PLC is defined as a digital electronic system that uses a programmable memory to store instructions for specific functions such as logic, sequencing, timing, counting and arithmetic. PLCs are widely used in the power generation sector to control operations involving logical steps and decision-making.
- Industrial Asset Management (IAM): IAM is defined as a computerised solution that enables companies to synchronise the maintenance and operational requirements of all their assets, from machinery to factory buildings. In doing so, IAM enables users to maximise the efficiency of all their assets in combination.
- Human Machine Interface (HMI): The HMI system is defined as the human machine interface hardware consisting of programmable terminals used for stand-alone, machine-level or small process applications mostly linked to a controller or host computer and off-the-shelf HMI software, which can run on a PC and allow for the next level of visualisation and integration into supervisory and enterprise-level solutions
Market Overview
Emissions Trading Scheme to Generate Greater Demand for Automation and Control Solutions
The European Union’s (EU) commitment to reduce carbon emissions across EU member states is likely to support increased investment in cleaner power generation. In this context, the implementation of the Emissions trading scheme in 2005 has resulted in the closure and/replacement of coal and oil-fired power plants with renewable sources of energy generation by power generation companies seeking to implement process optimisation programs. This scheme, along with reduced subsidies on less environment-friendly energy sources, has led to a new requirement for automation and control solutions (ACS) with higher levels of automation and added features. Accordingly, this is expected to accelerate demand for supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and distributed control system (DCS) upgrades as well as for new systems.
At the same time, rising investments in hydroelectric plants and wind farms are likely to fuel greater demand for control and monitoring systems capable of remote control, thus contributing to the need for SCADA systems. DCS systems too are likely to witness enhanced investment opportunities in gas-fired power plants and combined cycle gas turbines. Deregulation of the energy markets in Europe has been an important factor fuelling the rise in investments in SCADA and DCS systems. At the same time, while this trend is anticipated to boost the uptake of SCADA and DCS systems in Italy and Spain, its impact is likely to be negligible in France, where the deregulation process remains incomplete.
Shift from Traditional to Advanced Solutions Crucial for Sustained Market Growth
Despite the latest advancements, the power generation sector continues to employ traditional solutions such as SCADA, programmable logic controllers (PLC) and DCS systems. Moreover, as most of the control solutions are project oriented, suited only for particular requirements, the choice of the solution’s application will depend on the end-user sector. However, this trend is expected to change and more advanced ACS solutions such as human machine interface (HMI), industrial asset management (IAM) and manufacturing execution system (MES) will enjoy prominence in the power generation sector by 2007. With industry conservatism slowly dissolving, growth prospects are emerging for some of the advanced solutions and their upgraded versions, thereby creating lucrative market opportunities, says the analyst of this research service.
Despite the closure and/replacement of coal and oil-fired power plants, the delay in the construction of these power plants is likely to cause concerns owing to the rapidly increasing energy demand. The shift from coal and oil-fired to natural gas, nuclear power and renewable sources of energy will have an overall negative impact on revenues of SCADA and DCS systems until 2011, remarks the analyst. In addition, while revenues from the installation of new systems will be adversely affected, this trend is also likely to reduce the number of upgrade opportunities over time. As a result, DCS and SCADA suppliers would do well to implement and expand the share of value-added advanced automation services in an attempt to improve revenues. Hence, to meet the surge in power demand, several methodologies, such as the fuel-mix, are being implemented. Further, the ongoing updating process of the power generation sector in Eastern Europe will assist in overall market growth.
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