Reassess MRO Sourcing for Automation, Networks and Battery Storage

What happened

GlobalData projects a sharp rise in battery energy storage capacity, driven by grid decarbonisation and utility procurements. The report highlights a shift toward multi‑hour (four‑hour) systems and co‑located solar-plus-storage as the commercial default. Buyers should watch how local procurement windows and site interconnection limits shape demand for installation consumables and power‑electronics spares

Why the category manager should care

Treat BESS as a multi‑discipline install: expect durable, higher‑spec consumables and local staging needs rather than simple backup battery orders

Key facts

• GlobalData projects BESS capacity to rise sixfold by 2030
• Market trend toward four‑hour battery systems as a default
• Co‑located solar-plus-storage reduces interconnection cost and schedule risk

What happened

Publishers report multiple vendor announcements and validation tests for industrial networking — including a multi‑vendor Ethernet‑APL scalability test and a run of rugged gateways and industrial 5G/PoE switches. These are specific product moves that make industrial network spares (rugged switches, gateways, field switches) operationally relevant now; buyers should watch interoperability and cyber acceptance during procurement

Why the category manager should care

Prioritise industrial‑grade spares and require interoperability testing; these devices are not interchangeable with office IT gear

Key facts

• Endress+Hauser participated in a multi‑vendor Ethernet‑APL scalability test
• Multiple new rugged gateways and industrial 5G/PoE switches announced
• Edge gateways now combine protocol conversion with lightweight app hosting

What happened

Process control systems articles describe local DCS and automation upgrades — including a named project to modernise a power station and several vendor product releases for control valves and HMIs. These concrete projects create demand windows where integrators may combine hardware sales with installation and testing services

Why the category manager should care

Treat DCS and control hardware procurement as project buys with installation and testing risk; pre‑define scope to avoid scope creep

Key facts

• Named automation modernisation at a major power station in Australia
• New industrial HMIs and cryogenic valves announced for control applications
• Cloud SCADA and RTU rollouts appearing in regional utility projects