The work completed and results achieved by MAC during the Phase I SME project include:
Task 1: Market Research & Analysis
This included 1) Detailed market research, 2) A review of competing products/technology and 3) A review of Regulatory and Standards Requirements.
The Market Research and Analysis included (a) Face-to-face meetings with DSO operators, in Rome (April 2015), Germany (April 2015), Dublin (May), and discussions with UK Utilities (May 2015), (b) a comprehensive questionnaire to power utility companies, system integrators and consultants, and (c) A review of previous and current relevant EU Research projects and outputs.
The results identified a huge market and extensive business opportunities that are documented in section 4 of the Feasibility Study Core report. The review of standards identified IEC61850 is the most relevant standard for the LV monitoring products, as its main focus is distribution, field and station. While IEEE C37.118-1 is appropriate for the mPMU.
Task 2: Validation of Key Technology Assumptions
This task include 1) GW200 LV Monitoring Concept prototype development, 2) GW300 PMU Sync timing prototyping and analysis and 3) In-house Demonstration to Power Utility ESB Networks.
A concept prototype of the planned LV Network Monitor sensor deployment for DRMS support was developed and demonstrated with potential customers. Using this, a proof of concept prototype of the mPMU was developed to confirm its technical viability. The very positive results are documented in section 3 of the Core Report.
T3 Business Plan Development
This involved 1) Product/Service Description, 2) Market Research & Analysis, 3) Marketing & Sales Strategy, 4) Product Development Plan, 5) Staffing & Operations, and 6) Financial Requirements & Projections.
Section 5 of the Core Report describes the resulting detailed business plan describing the planned business opportunity, financial projections, funding requirements, delivery plan and plans for the Phase 2 proposal. The Phase 2 proposal will have a bigger strategic vision of a DSO’s Active Distribution Management and Smart Sensor Networking System that has evolved and expanded as a result of the work undertaken in this Phase
Based on these plans MAC is aggressively pursuing this opportunity and the SmartGridEnable Phase 1 and 2 projects will provide it with a strong competitive advantage, both technical and commercial, that has the potential to create a major disruptive impact on this market sector.
T4 Project Management and Dissemination.
This task included 1) Project Management and Reporting, as defined in the SME Instrument. 2) Dissemination of SmartGridEnable results, which was mainly through the market research meetings, that resulted in the partner SMEs to join MAC in the enhanced Phase 2 proposal, and 3) Open Access and Research Data Management, which mainly consists of publishing the public results of the current Feasibility Study on the project website.
