Bay Control Unit Market

Bay control units (BCU) are used in substations and power plants of all voltage levels and designs. They help in statistical metering for high-voltage and medium-voltage switchgear. They are used to control and monitor switching devices, for data logging/capturing meter values, for interlocks and logic functions for switching sequences and numerous other purposes. The main function of bay control unit is to monitor the whole system remotely. The status of primary equipment or auxiliary devices can be obtained from auxiliary contacts. Therefore, it is possible to detect and indicate both the open and closed position or a fault or intermediate circuit-breaker or auxiliary contact position.

New regulations to reduce/limit the power blackouts and strengthen the power distribution networks (particularly in North America, Europe, and parts of APAC) are creating a market for power sector equipment. With the help of monitoring solutions, switchgear alerts the maintenance team when aging and over-used equipment is on the verge of failure and enables them to make smarter decisions by providing real-time data to reveal problems and improvement opportunities. Furthermore, according to IEA’s Renewable 2021 analysis and forecast to 2026, annual additions to global renewable power capacity will average roughly 305 GW per year between 2021 and 2026. China's pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 has prompted new short-term goals, such as 1,200 GW of total wind and solar PV capacity by 2030. Renewable power growth in the European Union is projected to outperform what the existing National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) foresee for 2030, according to the trajectory of renewable capacity growth from 2021 to 2026. This pattern supports the goal of achieving the higher targets set out in the "Fit for 55" program. Member nations are implementing bigger auction volumes, firms are contracting for more renewable electricity, and consumers are continuing to install substantial numbers of solar panels, all of which are driving rapid adoption. This scenario will benefit the global switchgear industry and associated control and monitoring equipment as the need for green and clean energy rises. As a result, these factors are expected to boost the global bay control unit market.

Global bay control unit market, based on component, have been categorized as hardware and software. Bay control units include hardware components such as housing, binary inputs and outputs, optic fiber, Ethernet cables, connectors, communication interfaces, and other components. Software plays a crucial role in simplifying the fault analysis process by implementing sophisticated algorithms preprogrammed to suit the needs of end users. There are broadly 2 types of software—analytics software and diagnostics software. The successful monitoring of a plant’s machinery is highly dependent on the software installed. An integrated software system helps minimize the downtime and maximize the performance of switchgear, which further reduces the overall cost of maintenance.

Global bay control unit market, based on voltage, have been categorized as medium voltage (2–36 kV), and high voltage (Above 36 kV). Bay control unit used to monitor medium-voltage switchgears with a rating of 2–36 kV. These switchgears are generally used in all end-user segments, particularly in the manufacturing and process industries and T&D utilities. Equipment, such as circuit breakers, paralleling switchgear, AIS, main ring units, motor control centers, railway & marine switchgears, and surge arresters, make up medium-voltage switchgears. They protect industrial equipment, such as generators, motors and compressors, HVAC & air conditioning, heating & lighting equipment, overload current protection, and T&D sub-stations. Bay control unit used to monitor high-voltage switchgears with a rating of above 36 kV. High-voltage switchgears are primarily utilized in the transmission and distribution sub-stations, heavy industries, mining, railway, and commercial infrastructure sectors. A high-voltage circuit breaker is the main component of high-voltage switchgear. Most high-voltage switchgears are installed outdoors as the circuit breakers, isolators, transformers, bus bars, and all other substation equipment used in such switchgears require a large space and electrical clearance.

On the basis of end-user, the global bay control unit market is segmented into transmission & distribution utilities, industries, commercial & residential, and others. The others segment includes power generation, transportation, marine, and offshore sectors. These end users utilize switchgears to build a reliable and cost-effective power generation, transmission, and distribution source to meet their varying needs. Ensuring electricity transmission and distribution in a country is primarily the responsibility of the transmission & distribution utilities through electricity grids. Transmission and distribution utilities include investor-owned and publicly owned cooperatives and nationalized entities, the major electricity providers worldwide, making them the largest end user for switchgears and subsequently for bay control units. A wide array of industries such as steel & aluminum, oil & gas, chemical, textile, and mining utilize switchgears and associated control equipment like bay control units for controlling and protecting electrical systems. These industries have specific energy requirements for their manufacturing plants; they usually install separate substations for power supply. The distribution utilities supply power to these industries, further transmitted to various load points inside the manufacturing facilities. Commercial complexes, large buildings, and residential properties use switchgear to supply, protect, and control the power for heating, lighting, and air conditioning equipment. Railway electrification and expansion projects are coming up in several countries of Asia Pacific to improve the existing transportation services in the region while also achieving decarbonization targets

In terms of region, the global bay control unit market can be segregated into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America. Implementing stringent environmental laws in many countries has also compelled the utilities to produce power from clean energy sources and reduce carbon emissions. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, the global share of electricity in the total final energy use could rise from 20% in 2020-2021 to more than 45% by 2045, with some regions relying on electricity for up to 60%. Countries in the Asia Pacific region have lucrative opportunities for switchgears and bay control units due to the rising energy demand and replacing aging coal-fired power plants & distribution infrastructure with new & smart infrastructure. The inclination to develop a distributed power generation system or captive power plants in countries like North America and Europe also propels the demand for switchgears and bay control units. The use of electric vehicles (EVs) is on the rise in EU economies due to a proposed ban on new petrol & diesel cars from 2035, thus relating to surging demand for electricity and switchgears and bay control units.

The few of the major players operating in the global bay control unit market include ABB, General Electric, Siemens, Sprecher Automation GmbH, Ashida, ZIV, Hitachi Energy, NR Electric Co, and others.