Market Overview
The report on the global mobile substation market analyses the shares, size, recent trends, future market outlook, and competitive intelligence. Mobile substation usage in as backup units in emergencies and can also be beneficial when electricity distribution must be provided or restored in a short period is on the rise. Demand from industrial, oil & gas in ‘Asia Pacific’ is booming. The competitive rivalry intensifies with Hitachi ABB Power Grids, Nari Group, and others active in the market.
Market Summary
| Metrics | Details |
| Market CAGR | 5% |
| Segments Covered | By Type, By Voltage, By Power Rating, By Mobile Transformer, By Application, and By Region |
| Report Insights Covered | Competitive Landscape Analysis, Company Profile Analysis, Market Size, Share, Growth, Demand, Recent Developments, Mergers and acquisitions, New Product Launches, Growth Strategies, Revenue Analysis, and Other key insights. |
| Fastest Growing Region | Asia Pacific |
| Largest Market Share | North America |
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Mobile substations are autonomous systems that offer maximum flexibility and mobility. The substation can be prepared, transported, and operational in less time, thus making it ideal for addressing a range of contingencies that utilities may face.
A trailer-mounted substation includes a power transformer, switchgear, disconnected switches, metering transformers, surge arresters, protection, and control equipment, and AC and DC auxiliary power and control systems. A mobile substation can be built in a small space because it is trailer-mounted. It can also be readily relocated.
Mobile substations are useful as backup units in emergencies and can also be beneficial when electricity distribution must be provided or restored in a short period. The mobile substation market is fragmented, with several small and mid-sized businesses providing solutions for utility applications and mostly serving local markets.
Some primary benefits projected to fuel the growth of mobile substations throughout the forecast period include portability, quick startup and commissioning times, a smaller mechanical footprint, and the absence of construction work.
Market Dynamics
The growing demand for emergency power during disasters and wars has escalated the demand for the mobile substation market.
The growing demand for emergency power supply during disasters and wars has escalated the demand for the mobile substation market
Mobile substations are temporary power systems requiring emergency power supply in various areas. It's easy for operation managers to believe catastrophes and natural disasters won't touch their locations. Still, they're rather prevalent - there have been quite a few in recent years alone.
Unexpected catastrophes such as earthquakes, high winds, and floods can disrupt power supply and create weeks or months of downtime for site managers without a plan. Taking the necessary steps can dramatically reduce any ensuing downtime and protect against Mother Nature's vulnerabilities.
For instance, in 2020, the occurrence and intensity of worldwide natural disasters were typically lower than the average over the previous 30 years (1990-2019). Major natural catastrophes were 4% less often in 2020, with 73% fewer deaths, 50% fewer people affected, and 29% greater direct economic losses.
In 2020, the frequency of extreme temperatures globally was low, but the number of deaths from such events was the highest, reaching 6343; flood disasters were the most common, occurring 43% more frequently than historical levels and causing 6171 deaths, though flood-related deaths were 7% lower than the historical average; direct economic losses from storm disasters were large, reaching USD 93.2 billion, 64 percent higher than historic levels; there were few
In 2020, Asia had the highest frequency of natural catastrophes, followed by Africa; Asia had the highest frequency of natural disasters across all continents. Disasters killed the most people in Europe, followed by Asia; disasters caused the biggest economic losses in North America, followed by Asia; developing countries were more severely affected by disasters, primarily floods, and storms, than industrialized countries.
Thus, to overcome the growing drastic effects of natural disasters, various natural disaster-prone countries have increased mobile substations' usage to maintain the power flow in the affected area. To support the growth of mobile substations and overcome the growing demand for mobile substations, various companies are bringing their latest technology.
For instance, on September 3, 2020, Hitachi ABB Power Grids pioneered a modular mobile substation system that decreases the time to restore power after significant disruptions like a natural disaster. The world-first 400 kV multi-voltage modular mobile substation system can be quickly deployed and erected to restore electricity in as little as seven days, compared to 18 months for a new build of a traditional substation. Each mobile substation is compact and ready for quick energization, with high-voltage hybrid switchgear and protection and control technologies.
Difficult designing and installation of the mobile substation is the primary hurdle hampering the market growth of the product
A mobile substation is an equipped electrical system mounted on a semi-trailer and can be readily relocated.
Designing and installing a mobile substation are constrained in ways that are not present when dealing with conventional substations, which is a major hurdle for the product's market growth. Specific constraints are transportation constraints, including trailer dimensions and weight, road regulations, and electric clearances, particularly for equipment higher than 100 kV. Furthermore, the need for a quick installation in places where lifting equipment is unavailable and, finally, the specific problems of connection and integration of the substation to the generating station. These constraints make designing mobile substations far more difficult than just putting the equipment of a standard transformer bay on a semi-trailer.
COVID-19 Impact on Market
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a severe impact on a variety of significant processes and industries, including automotive, chemicals, oil & gas, energy & power, mining, and manufacturing. The virus's rapid spread has prompted governments worldwide to impose stringent human and vehicle movement restrictions.
Furthermore, due to the statewide lockdown, the supply chain, production of components, equipment, and systems, and the supply of raw materials for manufacturing components utilized in a mobile substation are all being disrupted. The overall market revenue for the mobile substation market is being restrained by constrained manufacturing activities and reduced demand from end-use industries, resulting in a decline in the market growth over the next few years.
Market Segmentation
The global mobile substation market is segmented based on type, voltage, power rating, mobile transformer, application, and region.
A significant increase in urbanization and industrialization around the world has improved the overall demand for the distribution transformer segment
The global mobile substation market is segmented into power transformers and distribution transformers based on the mobile transformer. In 2020, the distribution transformer sector had the dominant share of the market. During the projection period, a significant increase in urbanization and industrialization worldwide is likely to enhance the distribution transformer segment.
A distribution transformer is the type of transformer that performs the final voltage transformation in a distribution grid. It reduces the voltage in transmission lines to 240 volts, adequate for residential and commercial use. If the transmission lines are above ground, the transformers are pole-mounted; if the transmission lines are underground, as in many suburban areas, they are pad-mounted. The pad-mounted transformer is usually green and may be seen on many people's front lawns. The distributed transformer offers various advantages, such as the transformer converts high voltage electrical to low voltage electricity and hence is majorly utilized in homes and businesses.
The major purpose is to lower the voltage and provide isolation between the primary and secondary windings. The transformer transmits electricity generated by power plants to faraway places. Generally, this transformer transmits electrical energy to enterprises with lower voltages (less than 33 kV) and 440 to 220 volts for home use. Thus growing demand for distribution transformers in commercial and residential buildings has improved the overall business of the market.
Market Geographical Share
The rising demand for mobile substations in the Middle East and Africa due to the significant increase in oil and gas and mining industries
The global mobile substation market is divided into five regions: North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, South America, the Middle East, and Africa. In 2019, the Middle East and Africa (MEA) dominated the global mobile substation market. Natural resources such as oil, gas, and metals abound in the Middle East and Africa. The demand for mobile substations in the region increases due to a significant increase in the oil and gas and mining industries.
However, countries in these regions, Iraq, Algeria, and Nigeria, have seen numerous political and social upheavals, resulting in infrastructural destruction. As a result, these countries have a tremendous need for energy and power. As conditions improve, administrations in these areas attempt to reestablish basic utilities. Iraq's Ministry of Electricity has placed orders for mobile substations from Siemens (Germany), Meidensha (Japan), CG Power (India), and Aktif (Iraq) (Turkey).
Another important market for mobile substations is Asia-Pacific. The demand for power in the region has risen dramatically due to the region's growing population and industrial sector. As a result, the necessity for adequate power transmission and distribution has increased to provide an uninterrupted power supply. For this, mobile substations may be a cost-effective alternative.
Companies and Competitive Landscape
The global mobile substation market is highly competitive with local and global companies. Some prime companies contributing to the market's growth are Hitachi ABB Power Grids, Nari Group, Aktif Group, PME Power Solutions, WEG, TGOOD, Powell Industries, AZZ Inc., Elgin Power Solutions, Matelec Group, EKOS Group, Unit Electrical Engineering (UEE), Ampcontrol Pty Ltd, Efacec, Tadeo Czerweny, Jacobsen Elektro, Delta Star, and others.
The major companies are adopting several growth strategies such as acquisitions, product launches, and collaborations, contributing to the global growth of the mobile substation market.
- On February 25, 2021, Adani Electricity Mumbai Ltd (AEML) created a 1000 kVA trolly-mounted mobile Sub-Station as a trial project, which may be installed for hours to two or three months depending on the application for supply providing. The advantage of this trolly sub-station is that it takes less time to set up than a traditional sub-station. Thus, it's ideal for providing emergency power in the event of sub-station equipment breakdowns or releasing temporary loads to business and residential customers.
- On April 19, 2017, National Grid SA, the Saudi Electricity Company's transmission operator, ordered two mobile substations from Siemens. Siemens has integrated its current innovative mobile substation modules to develop and produce two 380kV mobile substations that can fit and suit any network area of the kingdom, based on the unique specifications from National Grid SA.
Hitachi ABB Power Grids
Overview: Hitachi ABB Power Grids is a worldwide technological leader with nearly 250 years of combined experience and 36,000 employees in 90 countries. The company, based in Switzerland, provides services to utility, industry, and infrastructure customers along the value chain and new areas such as sustainable mobility, smart cities, energy storage, and data centers. Hitachi ABB Power Grids integrates social, environmental, and economic values with an established track record, worldwide reach, and installed base. With pioneering and digital technologies, it is devoted to powering well for a sustainable energy future as the partner of choice for enabling a smarter, stronger, and greener grid.
Product Portfolio: Compact and modular mobile Substations: Mobile Substations are compact and modular, allowing for easy mobility and quick transfer without additional transportation permissions. These products can handle up to 420 kV and have power ratings of up to 120 MVA. The units can be deployed quickly and are designed to withstand difficult climatic conditions and terrains, such as deserts and mountainous places.
Key Development
- On September 3, 2020, Hitachi ABB Power Grids pioneered a modular mobile substation system that decreases the time to restore power after significant disasters.
