Smart Grid Infrastructure HandbookA GTM Research Whitepaper
2Copyright © 2012 Greentech Media Inc., Ventyx. All Rights Reserved.
SMART GRID INFRASTRUCTURE HANDBOOK
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 31.1 Smart Grid Landscape 31.2 Technologies 41.3 Major Trends 61.4 Integrated Solution Value Assessment 6
2 MARKET SEGMENTATION ANALYSIS 82.1 Control Room (Enterprise) 82.1.1 Taxonomy 92.1.2 Solutions 102.1.3 Deployments 11
2.2 Transmission 122.2.1 Taxonomy 132.2.2 Solutions 142.2.3 Deployments 14
2.3 Substation Automation 152.3.1 Taxonomy 162.3.2 Solutions 172.3.3 Deployments 17
2.4 Distribution Automation 182.4.1 Taxonomy 202.4.2 Solutions 212.4.3 Deployments 22
3 ABB/VENTYX COMPANY ECOSYSTEM 233.1 ABB 233.2 Ventyx 243.3 Analyst’s Note 243.4 Partnerships and Capabilities 25
3Copyright © 2012 Greentech Media Inc., Ventyx. All Rights Reserved.
SMART GRID INFRASTRUCTURE HANDBOOK
1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1.1 Smart Grid Landscape
Smart grid investment in the United States is entering a new stage as the major wave of AMI projects
led by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding and large IOU deployments is nearing
completion. Over the next couple of years, the last of the eight billion dollars invested in stimulus projects
that accelerated the deployment and development of smart grid technologies in the United States will
be spent. The ARRA’s funds’ primary focus on automated metering infrastructure (AMI) contributed to
a tremendous ramp-up of AMI spending that overshadowed less aggressive growth in other smart grid
submarkets. Vendors have shipped over 56 million AMI endpoints to US utilities as of the second quarter
of 2012. AMI deployment seems to have reached nearly steady state as shipments in 2011 fell from a
2010 high, and shipments are expected to continue to fall slightly in 2012. As the AMI market stabilizes,
investment in grid operations is projected to continue to grow.
The investment focus is now shifting to the grid and operations to enable utilities to drive reliability
and effi ciency. In the coming years, the deployment and integration of synergistic software with
communications-enabled grid equipment will be the focus of smart grid investment. These systems
will provide utilities with the tools to improve grid reliability and the effi ciency of existing business
processes, as well as enable new technologies to eff ectively interact with the grid. Utilities will have
to make use of a variety of these tools to integrate distributed energy resources, including new
demand response programs and home automation; distributed generation; electric vehicles; storage;
and microgrids, all of which are being deployed on the electric grid.
These investments will induce evolutionary shifts in the control room, transmission system, substation,
and distribution grid. Utilities will still focus on their core mission of matching supply and demand and
maintaining a safe, reliable grid, but intelligence on the grid will be able to improve a utility’s visibility,
reliability, and responsiveness. For most utilities, the process of making the grid smart is occurring through
the methodical implementation of technologies that enhance traditional capabilities, allowing utilities to
evolve business processes to capture value.
In control rooms, utilities are upgrading legacy IT applications, installing new management and
network modeling software, and expanding DSCADA systems to extend data acquisition and control
to additional intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) outside the substation fence. GTM Research expects
utility enterprise spending to have a compound annual growth rate of 4.8% from 2012-2015.
Transmission spending in the United States is being driven largely by interconnection of renewables and
grid interconnection points. Advanced high-voltage DC (HVDC) technology and fl exible AC transmission
systems (FACTS) are bringing remote renewable generation to population centers while increasing existing
transmission carrying capacity. The integration of wide-area monitoring and synchrophasors to SCADA/
EMS enables better state estimation, power oscillation monitoring, and voltage stability management.
Advancements in the substation are allowing for vast increases in data transfer, improvements
in protection and control, and drastically reduced installation and networking costs through the
introduction of a local enterprise bus versus older point-to-point integration.
4Copyright © 2012 Greentech Media Inc., Ventyx. All Rights Reserved.
SMART GRID INFRASTRUCTURE HANDBOOK
The vast expansion of wide-area wireless broadband communications is enabling IEDs on the
distribution grid to monitor the grid and coordinate fi eld device actions. Coordination of DA devices
can improve the effi ciency and control of the distribution of power, as well as assist in the improvement
of traditional business operations such as outage management. Communication, monitoring, and
coordination represent a massive shift for utilities that are generally used to viewing the distribution
grid as a black box. GTM Research predicts investment in transformer monitoring devices; Volt/VAR
control software and devices; self-healing grid hardware and software; distribution management systems
(DMSs); enabling communications; and installation will increase at a CAGR of 19.7% through 2015. The
accelerating integration of distributed energy resources such as distributed generation, electric vehicles,
and storage is hastening the implementation of enabling smart grid infrastructure.
1.2 Technologies
Smart grid technologies improve data collection, enable real-time analytics, enhance control, improve
reliability, and increase effi ciencies created by connection and coordination of grid assets locally and
centrally. Smart grid technologies span utility operations. Making a utility smarter can consist of the
deployment of advanced fi eld devices, enhanced communications, additional monitoring equipment,
the implementation of advanced network modeling and control software with or without advanced
applications, or replacing or upgrading legacy IT systems in the control center.
5Copyright © 2012 Greentech Media Inc., Ventyx. All Rights Reserved.
SMART GRID INFRASTRUCTURE HANDBOOK
Figure 1-1: Smart Grid Technologies
*Also available as part of an integrated advanced DMS solution
Source: GTM Research
Control Center
BusinessIntelligence
Dem
and
Resp
onse
Man
agem
ent S
yste
m
Market
Managem
ent System
Ente
rpris
e Re
sour
ce
Plan
ning
Enterprise AssetManagement
Mobile W
orkforce
Managem
ent
SCA
DA/E
MS SC
ADA
SCADA/OMS/DMS
DistributionAutomation
Substation
Autom
ationTran
smis
sion
TRANSMISSION SUBSTATION AUTOMATION DISTRIBUTION AUTOMATIONModeling and Control
SCADA/Energy Management System
SCADASCADA/Distribution Management System/Outage Management System
Advanced Applications
Wide Area Measurement System (WAMS)
-- Volt/VAR Optimization*
Fault Location/FLISR/FDIR*
MonitoringSynchrophasors Asset Health Monitoring Equipment Fault Current Indicators/Voltage Monitors
Sensors Sensors
Equipment
High Voltage DC (HVDC)Enhanced Station Controllers (RTU/PLC/Gateway)
DA Equipment (reclosers, automated switches, capacitor banks, controllers, and power electronics
Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS)
Digital Protection and ControlDistributed Energy Resources (distributed generation, electric vehicles, storage, load controllers) Integration
6Copyright © 2012 Greentech Media Inc., Ventyx. All Rights Reserved.
SMART GRID INFRASTRUCTURE HANDBOOK
1.3 Major Trends
Figure 1-2: Smart Grid Trends
Source: GTM Research
1.4 Integrated Solution Value Assessment
Ventyx with ABB offers an integrated solution that has products or partnerships that can meet
almost any utility’s need for the grid and control center. The combined ABB/Ventyx organization
has a strong grounding in both information and operations technology that allows experts on both
sides of the IT/OT divide to leverage each other’s experience to enhance non-traditional solutions
such as advanced asset management. A deep understanding of asset performance models and
software for supply chain management and workforce management provide ABB/Ventyx with a
rare breadth of expertise and capabilities that can be applied to implement other complex system
solutions such as outage restoration involving distribution automation, outage management, social
media communications, and workforce management.
For utilities, this breadth of expertise and product offerings provides an additional opportunity
to avoid costly software integration and ensure full-feature functionality. Integrating disparate
systems is a costly endeavor that most often requires hiring specialized, third-party consulting
firms. Purchasing complementary systems and equipment that are already integrated reduces
project timelines as well as overall project costs. Furthermore, the use of a single vendor with an
integrated portfolio and experience in both hardware and software can ensure ease of installation,
reduced project timelines, and lower integration costs.
U.S. SMART GRID MARKET TRENDS
1) Investment focus is moving from AMI to DA with a splash of DR
Recent AMI plans have had long payback periods, sometimes with near negative NPVs, often relying on difficult-to-quantify benefits dependent on consumer behavioral change. Distribution automation (DA) benefits are more reliable and persistent, as they do not depend on customer behavior. A combination of DA with demand response (DR) can improve efficiency and reliability, reduce utilities’ exposure to performance-based rate penalties, and mitigate the costs associated with of peak demand periods.
2) Renewables expansion
Renewable generation continues to be on the rise in the United States. The growth rate of wind has slowed recently, but solar installation continues to grow heartily. GTM Research has tracked and predicted more than a 75% reduction in the average selling price of a photovoltaic panel from 2008-2011 and a more than 1000% forecasted increase in solar capacity from 2008-2012, respectively. As penetrations continue to rise, the possibility of unstable conditions on the transmission and distribution grid, as well as the diffi culty of matching supply and demand, also increase.
3) Acceptance of cloud solutions and software-as-a-service models
GTM Research expects municipal and cooperative utilities to lead in the adoption of cloud solutions and software-as-a-service, as IOUs remain on the periphery, using the cloud primarily to reduce the cost of implementing smart grid pilots.
4) Rise of predictive asset management and analytics
Asset health analytics can improve asset performance, lowering operations and maintenance costs, mitigating the loss of experienced utility workers to retirement, and increasing the lifespan of aging infrastructure.
5) The increasing integration of IT/OT
The integration of information and operational technology is beginning to occur, most notably in the categories of asset health, demand response, and distribution operations. Data about equipment, supply chains, personnel, and geographic locations are unlocking benefits involving grid management through demand response, improved asset utilization, and more efficient allocation of maintenance resources.
7Copyright © 2012 Greentech Media Inc., Ventyx. All Rights Reserved.
SMART GRID INFRASTRUCTURE HANDBOOK
Traditional utility ‘spaghetti’ or ‘stovepipe’ integration schemes are no longer optimal for many utility
processes, which require a more open service-oriented architecture (SOA). An SOA utilizes one or
a collection of enterprise service buses to allow enterprise applications to reach across utility data
and departmental siloes. A more open SOA-based approach for non-real time functions can reduce
integration costs for complex systems, reduce upgrade complexity, and allow analytical software to
access and analyze data from operations and the IT department to not only optimize the grid for
service but also reduce costs, benchmark and improve business processes, and improve profi tability.
Utilities can achieve significant savings and reduce headaches by partnering with a vendor with
wide expertise both inside and outside of the control room, such as ABB/Ventyx. ABB/Ventyx
leverages its strong background in both field equipment and software to provide integrated
solutions that reduce implementation costs and create value, reducing project timelines, increasing
available functionality, and providing utilities with the tools to benchmark, compare and enable
ongoing business process improvement.
8Copyright © 2012 Greentech Media Inc., Ventyx. All Rights Reserved.
SMART GRID INFRASTRUCTURE HANDBOOK
2 MARKET SEGMENTATION ANALYSIS
GTM Research views the smart grid market as a variety of segments, including: control center or
enterprise systems, smart transmission systems, substation automation (SA), distribution automation
(DA), distributed generation and electric vehicle integration, automated metering infrastructure
(AMI), and home area networks (HAN). This document will focus on smart grid technologies’ eff ect
on utility operations, which span the control center, transmission, substation, and distribution grid.
2.1 Control Room (Enterprise)
Deployment of additional communications in the fi eld coupled with the addition of smart devices and
monitoring equipment on the grid is providing utilities with far more data on grid conditions than in
the past. At the transmission level, this increase in data is largely due to the progressive introduction
of synchrophasors. Similarly, at the substation level, the increasing creation and transmission of data
is an incremental change. At the distribution level, this change is suddenly giving utilities insights into
what was once a black box virtually devoid of communications and monitoring.
The sudden availability of vast amounts of data on actual systems conditions is allowing enterprise
applications to model and provide decision support based on actual conditions along the electrical
grid, demand management resources available to the utility, and the market for wholesale power.
Control center systems are analyzing more disparate data sets to improve network modeling, gain
insight into the performance of the grid, and evaluate disturbances to provide utilities with actionable
intelligence to increase reliability, fl exibility, and asset life while reducing costs. The true value of
these software suites will come from tying these systems together to support business process
redesign to improve response time, grid effi ciency, and fi nancial management.
9Copyright © 2012 Greentech Media Inc., Ventyx. All Rights Reserved.
SMART GRID INFRASTRUCTURE HANDBOOK
2.1
.1 T
axo
nom
y
Fig
ure
2-1:
Co
ntro
l Ro
om
Tax
ono
my
So
urc
e: G
TM
Res
earc
h
CON
TRO
L CE
NTE
R
PROC
ESS
IMPR
OVEM
ENT
ANAL
YTIC
S OV
ERLA
Y
Cyb
er
Secu
rity
GIS
Busi
ness
Inte
llige
nce
Indu
stria
l D
efen
der
Vmw
are
Dig
ital G
lobe
ESRI
Vent
yx
ENH
ANCE
D IT
AP
PLIC
ATIO
NS
Ente
rpris
e As
set
Man
agem
ent
Mob
ile W
orkf
orce
Man
agem
ent
CIS
, Bill
ing
Vent
yx
Vent
yxVe
ntyx
Ente
rpris
e Re
souc
e Pl
anni
ng
Vent
yx
SMAR
T GR
ID
APPL
ICAT
ION
S
Wid
e Ar
ea M
an-
agem
ent S
yste
mVo
lt/VA
R O
p-tim
izat
ion
Faul
t Loc
atio
n,
Isol
atio
n, &
Ser
vice
Re
stor
atio
n (F
LISR
)
Load
B
alan
cing
Load
M
anag
emen
t/Fo
reca
stin
gW
eb P
orta
ls
Vent
yxAB
BAB
BVe
ntyx
ABB
Vent
yxVe
ntyx
Vent
yxVe
ntyx
MOD
ELIN
G &
CON
TRO
L SY
STEM
S
Mar
ket M
anag
e-m
ent S
oftw
are
EMS
DM
SD
eman
d Re
spon
se M
anag
emen
t Sys
tem
Vent
yx
Vent
yxVe
ntyx
Vent
yxG
ener
atio
n M
an-
agem
ent S
yste
m
Vent
yx
SCAD
A
ABB
Vent
yx
ENTE
RPRI
SE
ARCH
ITEC
TURE
Serv
ice-
Orie
nted
Arc
hite
ctur
e an
d En
terp
rise
Inte
grat
ion
Tool
s
Vent
yx
Soft
war
e AG
ENTE
RPRI
SE
INFO
RMAT
ION
MAN
AGEM
ENT
Real
-tim
e D
ata
Man
agem
ent
Dat
a Vi
sual
izat
ion
Met
er D
ata
Man
agem
ent
Vent
yxVe
ntyx
Land
is+G
yr
FIEL
D &
DEVI
CE
INTE
GRAT
ION
IED
Inte
grat
ion
and
Man
agem
ent
Met
er M
anag
emen
t and
Inte
grat
ion
ABB
PHYS
ICAL
IN
FRAS
TRUC
TURE
LA
YER
10Copyright © 2012 Greentech Media Inc., Ventyx. All Rights Reserved.
SMART GRID INFRASTRUCTURE HANDBOOK
2.1.2 Solutions
Figure 2-2: Control Room Solutions
*Control center systems can no longer be viewed in complete isolation, as the integration of clusters of applications can improve efficiency and enhance the value generated from these software suites. The combination of these programs can create
CONTROL ROOM SOLUTIONSSmart Grid Sector Product Name Product Category
Energy Market ManagementNetwork Manager: Market Manager System (MMS)
Wholesale Power Operations
Description: The MMS suite offers a full range of clearing and transmission congestion management, an open and secure market trading infrastructure, integration of market settlement lifecycle operations, billing and meter data management, and management of outage scheduling and reporting for servicing assets.
Generation Management Generation Management Systems (GMS) Transmission Analysis and Control
Description: The GMS suite offers a full range of SCADA functions, while incorporating applications such as generation optimization .
Transmission Network ManagementNetwork Manager: Energy Management System (EMS)
Generation Analysis and Control
Description: Ventyx’s EMS offers the full range of traditional SCADA functions while incorporating an Operator Training Simulator to improve operator decision-making and prepare for emergency conditions, effi ciency and security tools; wide area measurement (WAM) to enhance transmission planning models; and a data historian for historical analysis, report creation, and critical data archiving.
Distribution AutomationNetwork Manager: Distribution Management System (DMS)
Distribution Management System Suite
Description: Integrates existing SCADA and distribution SCADA data to create an accurate load fl ow model of the actual conditions on the grid. Additional integration with Ventyx or existing OMS creates a single platform to reduce time to restoration. Advanced load fl ow modeling can further be utilized by advanced smart grid applications such as Volt/VAR optimization (VVO) and fault location, isolation, and service restoration (FLISR).
Distribution AutomationNetwork Manager: Outage Management System (OMS)
Outage Management System
Description: Coordinates outage management efforts, including fault location information from distribution SCADA; notifi cation of automated fault restoration services provided by fault location, isolation, and service restoration applications; automated call systems; and customer communications.
Distribution Automation Network Manager: SCADA SCADA
Description: Provides a strong data acquisition platform with asset control capabilities.
Asset Management Ventyx EAM Enterprise Asset Maintenance
Description: Ventyx EAM utilizes various enterprise data streams to improve asset utilization, reduce operating costs, and reduce operational risk.
Asset Management Service Suite Workforce Management
Description: Allocates workforce to maintenance tasks and warehouses human resources information including skills and scheduling.
Asset Management Ventyx ERP Enterprise Resource Planning
Description: Ventyx functionality allows for cost management, cost of ownership calculation, project capitalization, and reporting and compliance support.
Asset Management Asset HealthConditions-Based Maintenance and Asset Lifecycle Management
Description: Focal Point-based Asset Health Center provides visibility into critical assets for the improvement of situational awareness and condition-based maintenance.
Business Intelligence and Analytics Focal Point Business intelligence
Description: Historical and real-time analytics platform for business process performance analysis to identify areas for productivity and effi ciency gains
Demand Response Demand Response Management System Demand Response Management
Description: Ventyx’s Demand Response Management System (DRMS) provides utilities with the tools to connect demand response to market management software for interaction with regional ISOs, manage customer participation, geographically target demand response events, and provide reports on event effectiveness. The commercial package also provides power and storage optimization, emissions and renewable calculations, demand response simulation, and post-event analysis.
11Copyright © 2012 Greentech Media Inc., Ventyx. All Rights Reserved.
SMART GRID INFRASTRUCTURE HANDBOOK
an advanced system rather than a point solution. One such example includes the combination of SCADA/DMS/OMS, mobile workforce management, asset management, and business intelligence to reduce restoration times through improved modeling and fault location, optimize maintenance staff routing, improve sourcing time, and provide the tools to analyze results and execute process improvement (see Figure 2-8).
Source: GTM Research
2.1.3 Deployments
Utility: New York Independent System Operator
Type: Market Management Solution
Details: Ventyx market management system at the New York ISO integrates fast-start generation
commitment, look-ahead dispatch price signals, emergency operations, and real-time price
mitigation, while coordinating limited integration of load and storage assets.
Utility: Detroit Edison (DTE)
Type: Network Manager SCADA/EMS/DMS
Details: Ventyx and ABB are currently working with Detroit Edison to integrate DMS functionality in its
existing ABB SCADA/EMS system. The fi nal DMS will be networked to 11 substations, providing unbalanced
load fl ow state estimation with enhanced fault location and fault location isolation and service restoration
enabled. These technologies will reduce workforce response times to fault conditions, while allowing for
remote restoration services to improve upon system reliability. Volt/VAR optimization will also be enabled
with the integration of the DMS system for improved power quality and reduced losses. In concert with the
DMS, DTE is deploying automated switches, reclosers, and various other intelligent end devices.
Utility: Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE)
Type: Demand Response Management System
Details: BGE sought to utilize demand response to help reach the state government of Maryland’s
goal to decrease energy demand by 15% per capita by 2015. Implementation of Ventyx’s Demand
Response Management System (DRMS) netted an 18% reduction in use during peak hours and a 300%
increase in demand response capability, as well has helping to avoid $545 million in new generation
capacity costs over seven years. The DRMS coordinated customer enrollment and signals; calculated
the reduction in power used and the number of overrides; and allowed for the creation of up to a
seven-day demand forecast. The ability to target demand response at the feeder level to reduce
stress on local assets, including overloaded feeders, will improve location-based reliability. Integration
of daily “backcasts” and settlement features with the PJM market allow BGE to automate settlement
processes with its Independent Service Operator.
12Copyright © 2012 Greentech Media Inc., Ventyx. All Rights Reserved.
SMART GRID INFRASTRUCTURE HANDBOOK
Utility: Xcel Energy
Type: Intelligent Asset Management
Details: Ventyx implemented its Asset Suite to improve asset health, scheduling of work crews, and
maintenance supply chains timeliness. The software suite centralized a variety of disparate systems into a
business intelligence suite. Introduction of the asset management suite reduced maintenance and inspection
eff orts by 17%, lowered scheduling eff orts by 87%, and improved construction crew productivity by 47%.
2.2 Transmission
The management of the electrical transmission grid is becoming increasingly complex, as some states
have deregulated electrical grids separating generation, transmission, and distribution. The creation and
operation of Independent Service Operators (ISOs) have made the location of power production more
varied, and with it put new strains on the transmission grid to more fl exibly control power. Coupled
with increasingly higher volumes of load and variable renewable power, more intelligent management
equipment and analytics will be required to safely transmit power from generator to distributor.
Renewable portfolio standards are placing additional pressure on utilities to install additional
transmission lines to connect renewables that are often located far from population centers. The
interconnection of these systems is best suited to HVDC transmission lines that have lower line losses
over long distances and harmonize electrical output from a various distributed generators such as at
large wind farms or solar installations.
Transmission line transfer capacity is a primary concern of transmission grid operators. The amount of
power that can be moved across a transmission line is constrained by voltage transient stability limits,
thermal limits, or voltage regulation limits. The more common constraint is reaching the transient
stability limit, which can be relaxed by Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) such as static
VAR compensators. Combinations of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems and
power-electronics-based FACTS technologies improve grid capacity and effi ciency. The integration of
synchrophasor technology promises improved notifi cation, automated response, and event reporting.
Integration into a larger enterprise-level EMS architecture can further increase centralized control
capabilities, while providing a real-time view of the conditions on the transmission grid.
13Copyright © 2012 Greentech Media Inc., Ventyx. All Rights Reserved.
SMART GRID INFRASTRUCTURE HANDBOOK
2.2
.1 T
axo
nom
y
Fig
ure
2-3:
Tra
nsm
issi
on
Taxo
nom
y
So
urc
e: G
TM
Res
earc
h�
TRAN
SMIS
SION
TAX
ONOM
Y
PROC
ESS
IMPR
OVEM
ENT
ANAL
YTIC
S OV
ERLA
Y
GIS
BUSI
NES
S IN
TELL
IGEN
CE S
UITE
Dig
ital G
lobe
ESRI
Vent
yx
ENH
ANCE
D IT
APPL
ICAT
ION
S
ENTE
RPRI
SE A
SSET
MAN
AGEM
ENT
MOB
ILE
WOR
KFOR
CE M
ANAG
EMEN
T
Vent
yx
Vent
yxEN
TERP
RISE
RES
OURC
E PL
ANN
ING
Vent
yx
MAN
AGEM
ENT
+
OPTI
MIZ
ATIO
N
EMS
Dat
a H
isto
rian
Dat
a Vi
sual
izat
ion
Trai
ning
Sim
ulat
orW
ide
Area
Man
agem
ent S
yste
m
Vent
yxVe
ntyx
Vent
yxVe
ntyx
CON
TROL
SCAD
A
Vent
yx
ABB
UTIL
ITY
COM
MUN
ICAT
ION
S
Fibe
rM
icro
wav
eEt
hern
etPo
wer
Lin
e C
omm
unic
atio
nsC
ellu
lar
Sate
llite
Voic
e
ABB
ABB
ABB
ABB
ABB
SYN
CHRO
PHAS
OR
MON
ITOR
ING
EQUI
PMEN
T
PHAS
OR D
ATA
CON
CEN
TRAT
ORSY
NCH
ROPH
ASOR
ABB
ABB
PHYS
ICAL
EQ
UIPM
ENT
HIGH
VOL
TAGE
DC
FLEX
IBLE
AC
TRAN
SMIS
SION
SYS
TEM
S
Abov
e G
roun
dU
nder
grou
nd
Stat
ic V
AR C
ompe
nsat
or
ABB
ABB
ABB
Stat
ic S
ynch
rono
us C
onde
nsor
ABB
Serie
s C
apac
itors
ABB
PHYS
ICAL
IN
FRAS
TRUC
TURE
LA
YER
TRAN
SMIS
SIO
NSU
BSTA
TIO
N
14Copyright © 2012 Greentech Media Inc., Ventyx. All Rights Reserved.
SMART GRID INFRASTRUCTURE HANDBOOK
2.2.2 Solutions
Figure 2-4: Transmission Solutions
Source: GTM Research
2.2.3 Deployments
Project: Competitive Retail Energy Zones (CREZ) Program
Utility: Electric Transmission Texas LLC, Oncor
Type: Flexible AC Transmission System
Details: $45 million deployment of one static VAR compensator and two series compensators. These
devices will enhance the safe carrying capacity of existing transmission lines while facilitating the safe use
of additional wind generation from existing sites under the Competitive Retail Energy Zones program.
SMART GRID TRANSMISSION SOLUTIONSProduct Name Product Category
Network Manager SCADA/EMS Transmission SCADA and State Estimation
Description: Ventyx’s EMS offers the full range of traditional SCADA functions while incorporating an Operator Training Simulator to improve operator decision-making and preparation for emergency conditions, effi ciency and security tools; wide area measurement (WAM) to enhance transmission planning models; and a data historian for historical analysis, report creation, and critical data archiving.
High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Transmission Lines Power Electronics
Description: ABB HVDC transmission transmits high volumes of power at up to 800 kV from point to point over overhead or underground (HVDC Light) lines over long distances with limited losses compared to HVAC lines. HVDC is ideal for bringing power from remote sites to population centers. These installations require setting up conversion stations at both ends of the DC line to interconnect the lines to traditional AC transmission grids. These systems are often accompanied by FACTS devices to improve system stability and increase carrying capacity.
STATCOM Flexible AC Transmission System
Description: STATCOMs are autonomous FACTS devices that mitigate transient instabilities as well as harmonics by dynamically adjusting the injection of inductive or capacitive reactive power utilizing voltage source conversion technology up to eight times per cycle. The high cost of these devices versus other FACTS devices have relegated them most commonly to mitigating harmonics at sensitive customer premises such as foundries with arc furnaces. These devices can incorporate blocking or shunt harmonic fi lters. Leveraging synchrophasor data can enhance the performance of FACTS devices.
Static VAR Compensators (SVCs) Flexible AC Transmission System
Description: SVCs are autonomous FACTS devices for transmission substations that smooth voltage profi les and increase transfer capacity by increasing the transient stability limit through sub-cycle adjustment and compensation capabilities. SVCs dynamically adjust the injection of inductive or capacitive reactive power using thyristor technology up to two times per cycle per phase. Leveraging synchrophasor data can enhance the performance of FACTS devices.
Wide Area Measurement Systems (WAMS) Synchrophasor Integration
Description: WAMS systems collect and display sub-cycle phasor measurement unit data to provide real-time situational awareness of the conditions on an electrical grid. This system is a modular add-on to the Ventyx Network Manager SCADA/EMS to provide enhanced awareness of system conditions and eventually improve centralized and distributed decision-making to identify and isolate the spread of cascading transmission failures.
15Copyright © 2012 Greentech Media Inc., Ventyx. All Rights Reserved.
SMART GRID INFRASTRUCTURE HANDBOOK
Project: Mackinac HVDC Light
Utility: American Transmission Company
Type: Flexible AC Transmission System
Details: The Mackinac transmission line will connect the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan, delivering
dynamic voltage support and increasing grid reliability, while allowing for the addition of more wind
generation to the bulk power system. The HVDC installation will have a converter station on either side of the
Straits of Mackinac. ABB will also design, supply, and install a 200 MW back-to-back HVDC Light station that
will allow the system to continue to function as a static synchronous compensator or STATCOM regulating
device if one of the converters is non-functional. The line will be complete in mid-2014.
Project: Competitive Retail Energy Zones (CREZ) Program
Utility: Electric Transmission Texas LLC, AEP Texas
Type: Flexible AC Transmission System
Details: $50 million deployment of four static VAR compensators to help integrate up to 18
gigawatts of renewable energy. ABB will provide design, supply, installation and commission of
FACTS devices. The devices will enhance capacity and transmission system flexibility, and help to
integrate large remote wind generation facilities into the transmission grid. The project is part of
the Competitive Retail Energy Zones Program and is set for completion in Q1 2013.
2.3 Substation Automation
Improved monitoring and control equipment, communications technology, and control center applications are
redefi ning and optimizing the substation. Enhanced monitoring and control equipment is allowing utilities to
record and act upon vital conditions data about some of their most expensive assets, including transformers
and circuit breakers. The continued expansion of transformer monitors, digital relays, revenue-grade meters,
and various sensors are providing utilities with a wealth of once-unattainable data and capabilities.
The intelligent substation simplifi es much of the installation work that traditionally entered into the construction,
rewiring, or upgrading of various remote-controllable intelligent devices. Traditional substations utilized miles
of copper wire to hundreds of direct connections between grid protection, control, monitoring, and physical
equipment. Improved networking and integration tools have allowed these connections to be made to a
substation information bus that can connect these devices with far fewer fi ber, coaxial, or serial wires.
Intelligent substation devices produce and transmit far more information than their predecessors
to grid operators, allowing for increased data about conditions at the substation and the eff ect of
various utility actions. Control center applications such as intelligent asset management and business
intelligence software suites are providing utilities with enhanced processing power to analyze waves of
data from the substation to create actionable intelligence about the eff ects of various grid conditions
and actions through advanced analytics.
16Copyright © 2012 Greentech Media Inc., Ventyx. All Rights Reserved.
SMART GRID INFRASTRUCTURE HANDBOOK
2.3
.1 T
axo
nom
yF
igur
e 2-
5: S
ubst
atio
n A
uto
mat
ion
Taxo
nom
y
So
urc
e: G
TM
Res
earc
h
SUBS
TATI
ON A
UTOM
ATIO
N TA
XON
OMY
ENH
ANCE
D IT
AP
PLIC
ATIO
NS
STAT
ION
CON
TRO
LLER
/PLC
/RTU
ASSE
T HE
ALTH
ENTE
RPRI
SE A
SSET
MAN
AGEM
ENT
MOB
ILE
WOR
KFOR
CE M
ANAG
EMEN
T
Vent
yx
Vent
yx
Vent
yxEN
TERP
RISE
RES
OURC
E PL
ANN
ING
ABB
Vent
yx
CON
TROL
SCAD
A
Vent
yx
ABB
COM
MUN
CATI
ONS
Fibe
rC
oaxi
al C
able
Seria
lST
ANDA
RDS
IEC
6185
0D
NP
3.0
ABB
ABB
ABB
TRAN
SFOR
MAT
ION
Tran
sfor
mer
Mon
itor
Gas
Ana
lyze
r
ABB
ABB
SUBS
TATI
ON T
RAN
SFOR
MER
S
HV
Tran
sfor
mer
MV
Tran
sfor
mer
ABB
ABB
MON
ITOR
ING
Brea
ker m
onito
rRe
venu
e G
rade
Met
erVo
ltage
Tr
ansf
orm
erC
urre
nt T
rans
form
erTe
mpe
ratu
re S
enso
r
ABB
ABB
ABB
ABB
ABB
Elst
er
VOLT
/VAR
CO
NTR
OL
FLEX
IBLE
AC
TRAN
SMIS
SION
SYS
TEM
S
Stat
ic V
AR C
ompe
nsat
orSt
atic
Syn
chro
nous
Con
dens
orSe
ries
Cap
acito
r
ABB
ABB
ABB
TRAD
ITIO
NAL
EQU
IPM
ENT
Load
Tap
Cha
nger
sSu
bsta
tion
Volta
ge R
egul
ator
sSu
bsta
tion
Cap
acito
r Ban
ks
ABB
ABB
ABB
Rein
haus
en
PROT
ECTI
ON
Solid
-Sta
te R
elay
sIn
telli
gent
Ele
ctro
nic
Con
trol
lers
ABB
ABB
Gas
-Insu
late
d Sw
itchg
ear
Air-I
nsul
ated
Sw
itchg
ear
Circ
uit B
reak
ers
ABB
ABB
ABB
PHYS
ICAL
IN
FRAS
TRUC
TURE
LA
YER
SUB
STAT
ION
TO D
ISTR
IBU
TIO
NTO
TR
ANSM
ISSI
ON
17Copyright © 2012 Greentech Media Inc., Ventyx. All Rights Reserved.
SMART GRID INFRASTRUCTURE HANDBOOK
2.3.2 Solutions
Figure 2-6: Substation Automation Solutions
Source: GTM Research
2.3.3 Deployments
Company: Utility in the Northeast
Type: Substation Controller/PLC/RTU
Details: Complete system engineering, procurement, manufacturing, and commissioning of ABB
RTU 560 substation controllers (RTUs) for 40 transmission substations. This project added Ethernet
switches and frame relays to connect substations devices via DNP 3.0 to an ABB RTU, all controlled
through a Micro SCADA HMI. This project will be complete by the end of 2012.
SUBSTATION AUTOMATION SOLUTIONSSolution Category
MicroSCADA Pro and RTU 560 Substation Scale SCADA
Description: MicroSCADA Pro is a scalable communications gateway with an integrated control human-machine interface, monitoring capabilities, and the ability to act as a communications server for other gateways and RTUs. MicroSCADA can also perform power quality monitoring, as well as disturbance analysis. The RTU 560 is a smaller-footprint, scalable communications gateway for use in smaller substations with fewer IEDs.
Data Concentration and Aggregation Station Controller and Communication
Description: ABB’s Communications Gateway COM 600 maps signals between substation protections and control devices, including monitoring information from IEDs and coordination and command signals from a Network or Distributed Control Center.
Relion Product Family Intelligent Electronic Devices (IED)
Description: The Relion product family spans transmission and distribution substations, providing protection, control, measurement, and supervision of power systems and devices such as transformers, breakers, busbars, solid state relays, sensors, and feeder protection and control.
On-Line Transformer Monitoring Asset Health
Description: Coupling ABB transformer monitors with an Optima or EasyLine ABB gas analyzer creates the information to feed ABB On-Line Monitoring. The integration of the Ventyx EAM software suite creates a robust transformer health program that identifi es dangerous conditions via operational data, utilizing manufacturer performance models, and schedules and optimizes asset maintenance and/or shut-down, while allowing an Ventyx ERP to coordinate replacement parts orders and account for the work.
IED and Protection Scheme Integration Protection and Control
Description: ABB offers integration services for IEDs which, coupled with secure low-latency communications, localized control, and networking, signifi cantly increase reliability.
Standard and Protocol Support Standards
Description: ABB was an early backer of the IEC 61850 standard, but ABB can also utilize DNP 3.0, UDP, and other TCP/IP communications architectures.
18Copyright © 2012 Greentech Media Inc., Ventyx. All Rights Reserved.
SMART GRID INFRASTRUCTURE HANDBOOK
Company: Industrial Substation in the South
Type: AIS and GIS Substations
Details: Complete system engineering, procurement, manufacturing, and commissioning of
air-insulated and gas insulated generation and switching stations with step up and step down
transformers for transmission and local load.
The fi rst substation involved the integration of the Micro SCADA platform that controls ABB relays
within transformer and diff erential panels, a bus control panel, and a bay control panel, with a RTU 560
station controller. The second station integrated the Micro SCADA platform with a collection of relays
and panels for managing transmission lines and bay control, a diff erential panel, and bus protection.
Both stations utilize RuggedCom Ethernet switches. Both substations were completed in early 2009.
Company: Industrial Substation in the Midwest
Type: Industrial IEC 61850 Substation Implementation
Details: Complete system engineering, procurement, manufacturing, and commissioning of 115/13.8kV
air-insulated switchgear station. The station includes 480V switchgear and motor control center
integration. The substation utilizes a station HMI PC running on the MicroSCADA platform with a RTU
560 substation controller capable of DNP 3.0 communications to the distribution operator and IEC
61850 communications locally with gateway functionality to communicate with IEDs for transformer
protection and control, medium voltage switchgear, and Modbus IEDs. The substation uses ABB
Ethernet switches and was completed during the fi rst half of 2012.
2.4 Distribution Automation
The distribution grid represents a challenge of scale not encountered when dealing with transmission-scale
monitoring. The distribution grid has tens of thousands of substations that distribute power to hundreds of
thousands of circuits and more than 140 million end-use customers.
Eff orts to increase fi eld monitoring in the 1980s and 1990s connected many substations back to control
centers using early supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) technology. Until recently, devices
outside the substation were left to operate based on local measurements of voltage or loading. Recent
advancements and falling costs in wide area communications, networking, and local intelligence are
enabling utilities to install and connect intelligent electronic devices to equipment on the lines, allowing for
enhanced monitoring and coordination of grid asset actions to provide utilities with an understanding of
the actual conditions outside the substation and to improve grid effi ciency and reliability.
Monitoring and reliability technologies, including automated switching, gradients of Volt/VAR
optimization (VVO), and intelligent asset management, currently characterize the broad category
of distribution automation with a fourth set of technologies beginning to emerge to deal with high
penetration of disruptive distributed variable generation, energy storage, and electric vehicles.
Monitoring and reliability technologies incorporate advanced outage sensors such as remote
19Copyright © 2012 Greentech Media Inc., Ventyx. All Rights Reserved.
SMART GRID INFRASTRUCTURE HANDBOOK
fault circuit indicators and voltage monitors with networked automated switches, reclosers, and
sectionalizers to pinpoint and mitigate the eff ects of a fault, increasing reliability by reducing outage
time. VVO technology has advanced to allow for closed loop operation of optimization analytics
and integration of a dynamic network model to coordinate and optimize the operation of load tap
changers, capacitor banks, and voltage regulators to reduce losses and demand. VVO systems improve
grid effi ciency, which in turn reduces fuel costs, decreases the utility’s carbon footprint, shaves peak
load on certain feeders and can decrease the need for the construction of new generation capacity.
Intelligent asset management technologies utilize sensors and monitoring equipment along with
analytical processing to determine asset lifetime and wear, prioritize maintenance, and manage
maintenance truck rolls. Power electronics and community energy storage off er future solutions to
the integration of variable generation and electric vehicles.
20Copyright © 2012 Greentech Media Inc., Ventyx. All Rights Reserved.
SMART GRID INFRASTRUCTURE HANDBOOK
2.4
.1 T
axo
nom
yF
igur
e 2-
7: D
istr
ibut
ion
Aut
om
atio
n Ta
xono
my
So
urc
e: G
TM
Res
earc
h
N
ote
: *N
ot
app
rove
d b
y U
L f
or
use
in U
nit
ed S
tate
s
DIST
RIBU
TION
AUT
OMAT
ION
PROC
ESS
IMPR
OVEM
ENT
& AN
ALYT
ICS
OVER
LAY
Busi
ness
Inte
llige
nce
Vent
yx
INTE
LLIG
ENT
ASSE
T M
ANAG
EMEN
T
Ente
rpris
e As
set M
anag
emen
tM
obile
Wor
kfor
ce M
anag
emen
t
Pad-
Mou
nt
Tran
sfor
mer
Tran
sfor
mer
M
onito
rs
ABB
ABB
Vent
yx
Vent
yx
Pole
-Top
Tr
ansf
orm
erSe
nsor
sEn
terp
rise
Reso
urce
Pla
nnin
g
Vent
yxAB
BAB
B
MOD
ELIN
G IN
TELL
IGEN
CE L
AYER
S
DM
SO
MS
GIS
Subs
tatio
n VV
OD
istr
ibut
ed V
VO
Vent
yxVe
ntyx
Dig
ital G
lobe
ABB
ESRI
Subs
tatio
n FL
ISR
Dis
trib
uted
FLI
SR
ABB
ABB
COM
MUN
ICAT
ION
S +
CO
NTR
OL
SCAD
AFi
eld
Area
Com
mun
icat
ions
Vent
yxAB
BTr
opos
(An
ABB
Com
pany
)
Trill
iant
VOLT
/VAR
CON
TRO
L
Con
trol
Cen
ter V
olt/
VAR
Opt
imiz
atio
n St
atio
n Co
ntol
ler/
PLC/
RTU
Load
Tap
C
hang
erLi
ne C
apac
itor
Ban
k C
apac
itor B
ank
Con
trol
ler
Volta
ge/L
ine
Mon
itors
Adva
nced
Inve
rter
s
Vent
yx
ABB
ABB
ABB
ABB
ABB
ABB*
Rein
haus
enLi
ne V
olta
ge
Regu
lato
rVo
ltage
Reg
ulat
or C
ontr
olle
rSt
orag
e w
/ An
cilla
ry S
ervi
ces
Load
Tap
C
hang
er
Con
trol
ler
ABB
ABB
ABB
AUTO
MAT
ED L
INE
SWIT
CHIN
G
Con
trol
Cen
ter
FLIS
RC
ontr
ol C
ente
r Loa
d B
alan
cing
Recl
oser
sC
ontr
olle
rsFa
ult C
urre
nt
Indi
cato
rs
Vent
yxVe
ntyx
ABB
ABB
ABB
Auto
mat
ed
Switc
hes
ABB
Sect
iona
lizer
s
ABB
PHYS
ICAL
IN
FRAS
TRUC
TURE
LAY
ER
21Copyright © 2012 Greentech Media Inc., Ventyx. All Rights Reserved.
SMART GRID INFRASTRUCTURE HANDBOOK
2.4.2 Solutions
Figure 2-8: Distribution Automation Products
DISTRIBUTION AUTOMATION PRODUCTSSolution Category
Network Manager: Distribution Management System (DMS) Distribution Management System
Description: Integrates existing SCADA and distribution SCADA data to create an accurate load fl ow model of the actual conditions on the grid. Additional integration with Ventyx or existing OMS creates a single platform to reduce time to restoration. Advanced load fl ow modeling can further be utilized by other add-on applications to enable smart grid applications such as Volt/VAR optimization and fault location, isolation, and service restoration.
Advanced Outage Management Outage Management
Description: Utilizes an integrated approach to outage management that connects network manager outage management systems (OMS) with some combination of geographic information systems (GIS); Network Manager Distribution Management Systems (DMS); fault location, isolation and service restoration applications (FLISR); and mobile workforce management (MWFM) systems to coordinate immediate restoration with customer information systems to allow for improved customer communication and estimation of restoration time. Coupling traditional or new OMS with connections to operational systems such as DMS, MWFM, and GIS improves outage response time, reduces truck rolls and miles driven, and helps set customer expectations. The further integration of a Focal Point business intelligence software suite allows a utility to monitor, benchmark, and analyze the outage response process to improve operational effi ciency.
Model-Based Volt/VAR Optimization Control Center Volt/VAR Control
Description: Mode-based Volt/VAR optimization (VVO) utilizes a GIS connectivity model with the Network Manager DMS dynamic feeder modeling that takes into account SCADA status changes to provide an “as-operated” view of the distribution feeder. Using advanced mathematical algorithms, this VVO then optimizes line capacitor banks, line voltage regulator taps, and load tap changer taps to accomplish a predefi ned utility goal to limit losses or promote conservation. Demand reductions from VVO installations can vary, but they typically reduce feeder loading by 2%-4%.
Volt/VAR Management System (VVMS) Substation Volt/VAR Control
Description: Substation VVMS utilizes end-of-line voltage measurements as well as feeder confi guration information from station controllers to adjust load tap changer tap positions, line capacitor bank activation, and line voltage regulator tap positions in order to reduce line losses and optimize feeder voltage and reactive power according to utility preferences. Similar to ABB’s model-based approach, VVMS can support conservation voltage reduction, which can typically reduce demand on a feeder by 2%-4% without impacting customers.
DMS-based Fault Location, Isolation, and Service Restoration (FLISR)
Control Center FLISR
Description: DMS-based FLISR utilizes a Network Manager DMS dynamic feeder modeling coupled with SCADA data from fi eld intelligent electronic devices including controls on reclosers, automated switching, sectionalizers, fault current indicators, line monitors, and sensors to determine fault location. The application then determines more effective isolation schemes that restore power to customers outside of the immediate faulted circuit within seconds or minutes using reclosers, automated switches, and sectionalizers. Utilities can either have the system then automatically implement the switch orders via the DMS and SCADA systems or require operator approval. Deployment with an OMS and mobile workforce management can result in complementary effi ciencies from improved customer communications and more effi cient fi eld restoration services.
Substation Fault Location, Isolation, and Service Restoration (FLISR)
Substation FLISR
Description: ABB’s Substation FLISR utilizes algorithms located in a COM600-decentralized controller and fi eld data from intelligent electronic devices to determine the location of the fault. The system then organizes switching orders to restore customers not immediately within the faulted portion of feeder, using controllers on reclosers, automated switches, and sectionalizers to carry out the order.
Tropos GridCom 2.0 Wide Area Communications
Wireless Wi-Fi, point to point, WiMAX, or mesh communications and networking hardware and network management tools to enable wide area low-latency, high-bandwidth communications
Focal Point and Ventyx EAM Asset Health
Description: Ventyx’s FocalPoint suite utilizes ABB’s asset performance models coupled with operational data to analyze asset health and projected lifespan and suggest proactive maintenance strategies to increase asset utilization, reduce operating costs, and reduce operational risk. The Service Suite mobile workforce management module improves maintenance effi ciency by reducing truck rolls, optimizing maintenance scheduling, and improving labor allocation. Ventyx ERP functionality allows for cost management, cost of ownership calculation, project capitalization, and reporting and compliance support.
22Copyright © 2012 Greentech Media Inc., Ventyx. All Rights Reserved.
SMART GRID INFRASTRUCTURE HANDBOOK
2.4.3 Deployments
Utility: CenterPoint Energy
Type: Enterprise Architecture, Automation, and Automated Switching
Details: CenterPoint and ABB are currently in the process of installing a full Ventyx automation
platform, starting with a 15% scale pilot and eventually expanding automation to 100% of the
CenterPoint service territory. The project will link reclosers, 571 automated switches, capacitor banks,
voltage regulators, and maintenance crews to a centralized SCADA/DMS/OMS system with integrated
FocalPoint Business Intelligence and Ventyx mobile workforce management modules.
Utility: CPS Energy
Type: Long-Term Control Center Operation Improvement
Details: ABB has been working with CPS for seven years to improve many utility operations. CPS’
past projects include implementing an integrated SCADA/GIS/OMS/DMS. Current projects include
pilots of centralized VVO and automated restoration.
Utility: Oklahoma Gas and Electric (OGE)
Type: DMS Integration and VVO installation
Details: OGE is installing a new ABB SCADA/OMS/DMS with advanced FLISR and model-based
VVO applications. The VVO deployment is one of the largest announced in the United States to date
with a projected 400 feeders connected at completion to enable the reduction of 75 MW of load
during peak time. Coupled with an aggressive demand response initiative, cancellation of wholesale
contracts, load curtailment, and energy effi ciency programs, OGE expects to defer spending on
additional generation assets by six years.
23Copyright © 2012 Greentech Media Inc., Ventyx. All Rights Reserved.
SMART GRID INFRASTRUCTURE HANDBOOK
3 ABB/VENTYX COMPANY ECOSYSTEM
3.1 ABB
Ownership: Public
ABB Year Founded: 1988
ABB Headquarters: Zurich,Switzerland (global), Cary, NC(North American)
Number of Employees: 145,000
Revenue: $37.99 billion (2011)
Notable Projects: NY-ISO, CPSEnergy, CenterPoint Energy,ONCOR, and Detroit Edison
CEO: Joseph Hogan
Website: www.abb.com/smartgrids
Primary Competitors: AlstomGrid, GE, Schneider Electric, Siemens
ABB is a market leader in power and automation technologies
that enable utility and industrial customers to optimize
operational performance. ABB has developed one of the
broadest product portfolios in the industry, as well as a strong
partner network. ABB has committed to becoming a market
leader, increasing research and development in each of the last
six years, spending more than $10 billion over the last decade to
develop more reliable grid infrastructure products.
ABB undertook a signifi cant strategic shift by acquiring utility
industry software provider Ventyx in 2010. This four-year-old
product of a merger between Indus and MDSI was a market
leader in utility software with a strong enterprise software product
portfolio. This purchase, although smaller than recent acquisitions of
Baldor (2011) and Thomas and Betts (2012), at $1 billion, represented
a shift to a wider smart grid development strategy and a focus on
long-term customer needs (see 3.2 for more information).
ABB is working to expand its role in emerging grid technologies.
The acquisition of Tropos provided ABB with a strong
technology portfolio for low-latency, high- bandwidth wide area
communications. The purchase of EV fast-charging fi rm Epyon and
equity investments in EV charging infrastructure fi rm ECOtality,
cyber security provider and partner Industrial Defender, and smart
grid wide-area communications and AMI provider Trilliant have
further widened the ABB smart grid portfolio.
24Copyright © 2012 Greentech Media Inc., Ventyx. All Rights Reserved.
SMART GRID INFRASTRUCTURE HANDBOOK
3.2 Ventyx
Ownership: PublicSubsidiary of ABB
Year Established: 1997
Ventyx Headquarters: Atlanta, GA
Number of Employees: 2,600
Notable Projects: CenterPoint Energy, CPS Energy, Oklahoma Gas and Electric, and Xcel Energy
CEO: Jeff Ray
Website: www.ventyx.com/smartgrid
Primary Competitors: Alstom Grid,
GE, IBM, SAP, Telvent, and Siemens
Ventyx is a market leader in utility enterprise systems with a strong
portfolio of operational and information technologies. Since its
purchase by ABB in 2010, ABB has integrated its native network
manager platform along with its other legacy utility software
under the Ventyx subsidiary and placed Ventyx within the Power
Systems Group. Acquisitions of Insert Key Solutions (2010), Obvient
Strategies (2011), and Mincom (2011) enhanced Ventyx’s equipment
reliability, process improvement, and operational performance
software; added the Focal Point business intelligence software suite;
and added the asset-intensive Ellipse enterprise asset management
suite. With a strong portfolio and mindshare in the domains of both
operational (DMS, EMS, SCADA, etc.) and information technology
systems (ERP, CIS, EAM, etc.), the combined Ventyx has focused its
eff orts on leveraging its equipment and software expertise to create
open utility systems that can gain insight and achieve effi ciencies
through IT-OT convergence.
Ventyx continues to focus its research and development eff orts
on improving both control and asset management. Last year
Ventyx commercially released model-based volt/VAR optimization
through its Network Manager DMS-line. While its fi ve year plan for
the development of an asset health suite that utilizes current grid
conditions, equipment specifi c aging and stress expertise, and
the ability to suggest life and revenue improving grid adjustments
remains the most ambitious public roadmap of any of the grid giants.
25Copyright © 2012 Greentech Media Inc., Ventyx. All Rights Reserved.
SMART GRID INFRASTRUCTURE HANDBOOK
3.3 Partnerships and Capabilities
ABB has a strong partnership network that off ers products and services that enable ABB products,
require less integration work, or fi ll out a product gap within the ABB portfolio. At the control-center
level, Ventyx partners with a variety of fi rms to ensure strong, interoperable interfaces among systems.
For mapping requirements, including GIS and workforce management, Ventyx has existing partnerships
with ESRI, Digital Globe, and TomTom’s Tele Atlas. An existing partnership with Landis+Gyr has resulted
in strong interfaces with Landis+Gyr meter data management systems for data sharing.
In the communications space, positions in fi ber, PLC, and microwave technology at the transmission
and substation levels, coupled with the recent acquisition of Tropos Networks, provide ABB with
a strong portfolio of in-house communications. An investment in Trilliant has created a natural
partnership that coupled with work and interoperability testing with Elster’s EnergyAxis platform,
Sensus, Silver Spring, Landis+Gyr, GE, FreeWave, and Cisco, providing ABB with relationships with a
variety of fi eld area network providers.
ABB has also worked to ensure that its fi eld equipment products, as well as Ventyx control center
systems, continue to be secure. Outside of ABB’s internal work, it has partnered with cyber security and
compliance provider Industrial Defender, as well as cloud and virtualization specialist VMware.
3.4 Analyst’s Note
ABB has one of the widest product portfolios in the industry. ABB continues to focus its acquisitions on
improving geographic access, fi lling technological gaps, and adding related verticals.
The acquisition of Ventyx and subsequent integration of Insert Key, Obvient, and Mincom have given
ABB one of the most comprehensive software suites in the smart grid market with products spanning
virtually all market management, T&D operations, and information technology systems. Integration and
consolidation of various redundant software solutions under the Ventyx brand is largely complete, as
targeted eff orts are still underway to realize Ventyx’s vision of advanced asset management, business
analytics, distribution automation, and workforce management.
ABB’s championing of IT/OT integration puts them at the forefront of the eff ort to realize value from
information exchange between traditional utility silos. Expertise with both hardware and software puts
Ventyx into a prime position to promote and deliver holistic solutions that avoid costly integration
eff orts and allow utilities to realize the full value of their deployments.
ABB is experiencing strong growth in relation to its peers with a compound annual growth rate of
10.2% over the last 5 years. The recent acquisition of Thomas and Betts makes North America the focal
point of ABB’s operation as it surpasses the EU region in revenue. A strong business foundation, growth
prospects, and a fi rm commitment to smart grid innovation will continue to provide ABB with the
opportunity to be a market leader in smart grid technology through internal research and development,
as well as external acquisition.
For more info please visit www.greentechmedia.com/sponsored/resource-center/
A joint white paper produced by:
A Greentech Media Company