xx Title / Section Presents U.S. Grid Automation Report Survey & Analysis By
Table of Contents Executive Summary...2 About This Report...2 Methodology...2 Major Findings...2 U.S. Grid Automation Survey Implications...4 U.S. Grid Automation Trends...5 U.S. Grid Automation Drivers...6 Survey Respondent Characteristics...7 Experience with Distribution Management Systems...7 Title Within Organization...7 Utility Type...8 Grid Automation Survey Detailed Findings...9 Grid Analytics Software for Distribution System...9 Analytics Software Integration...9 Substation Automation and IEC 61850...10 Obstacle of IEC 61850 Standard...10 Advanced DMS Integration...11 Updating Substations...11 Updating Feeder Circuits with FLISR...12 Initial System Configuration Services for Grid Automation...12 Obstacles of Initial System Configuration Services...13 Impact of Distribution System from Utility Rates or Reliability Indexes...13 Funding of Distribution Equipment...14 Equipment Life Extension Program...14 Level of Renewable Energy Generation...15 Future Renewable Energy Problems...15 Electric Vehicle Charging...16 Future Electric Vehicle Charging...16 Demand Management Option...17 Reasons Demand Response Option Chosen...17 Assisting with Energy Efficiency (EE) Projects...18 Automated Software System for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability projects...18 Zpryme Outlook...19 1 w ww.zpryme.com www.smartgridresearch.org www.schneider-electric.us Schneider Electric Presents: U.S. Grid Automation Report September 2013
Executive Summary U.S. smart grid expenditures have been compromised largely of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) projects over the past five years. However, many utilities are now eager to fully optimize their systems with grid automation projects, which will allow them to fully realize the promise of the smart grid. Grid automation will create a much more reliable and efficient grid, enable optimization of thousands of grid-connected devices and distributed generation sources, and allow for faster outage recovery times. Federal smart grid deployment targets, renewable portfolio standards, and the need to increase grid reliability have driven U.S. grid automation. However, as electricity markets open up in the U.S., grid automation projects will also be driven by a strong need to increase electric provider customer satisfaction. As U.S. utilities embrace global standards such as IEC 61850, vendors with field proven grid analytics, advanced DMS, sensors, IEDs, and FLISR solutions will be best positioned in the market. The long-term result of such investments in grid automation will result in a significantly more reliable and efficient grid, higher utility customer satisfaction, and lower energy bills. The major findings in this report show that a large majority of U.S. utilities are ready to take up the task of building a grid that meets the needs of tomorrow s Connected Economy. However, utilities will need strong support from industry stakeholders (vendors, integrators, regulators, etc.) and electric customers to meet this goal. About This Report The purpose of this report is to explore the use of grid automation and analytics among U.S. utilities, assess utility interest in adopting global standards, and examine the level of concern utilities have in regard to the system impacts of renewable energy sources and electric vehicles. Additionally, this report identifies key approaches and obstacles utilities face when pursuing these advanced grid automation projects. Methodology Zpryme surveyed 83 U.S. utility professionals in November of 2012. Respondents were asked 23 questions. The survey was conducted over the Internet. Major Findings About 3 out 4 (76%) utilities are planning to procure grid analytics software, and they would most prefer analytics software integrated into an advanced distribution management system (DMS). Six out of ten (63%) plan to adopt IEC 61850 standard for substation automation. They identified other higher priority items, testing/validation, and a need for assistance in implementation as the top three obstacles that would prevent them from adopting IEC 61850. Seventy percent of respondents prefer to implement an advanced DMS using multi-vendor best-of-breed components (plus systems integration). 2 w ww.zpryme.com www.smartgridresearch.org www.schneider-electric.us Schneider Electric Presents: U.S. Grid Automation Report September 2013
Eight out of ten respondents plan to update older existing substations with intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) to support DMS or grid automation capabilities. Six out of ten respondents are very or highly likely to use a major equipment vendor to provide initial system configuration services for grid automation. The main reasons cited for not using a major equipment vendor for initial system configuration were service level agreement concerns for support, desire to perform in-house configurations, and relationship with existing integrator. Respondents indicated that the use of performance-based utility rates or reliability indexes would most likely lead to increased investment in: feeder or substation automation, replacing aging distribution equipment, and DMS or ADMS software. Forty-three percent of respondents described their approach to fund a distribution equipment life extension program as retro-filling existing equipment with new Breakers/Switches. Thirty-seven percent said they replace with new equipment, and 20% said they refurbish existing equipment. Utilities cited availability of capital funding and downtime (outage) considerations as the main reasons they chose their approach for their equipment life extension program. energy is expected to cause significant problems on their distribution system. Eighteen-percent of respondents indicated that a high-penetration of (future) electric vehicle (EV) charging is expected to cause significant problems on their distribution system. Just over four out of ten (44%) respondents chose a commercial and industrial customer-oriented demand response program as their most preferred demand management option. Another 25% chose a grid-oriented solution, like Volt-VAR or conservation v oltage reduction (CVR). Eighteen percent chose a residential customer-oriented program. Thirty-six percent (36%) of respondents said they are planning to assist large commercial customers with Energy Efficiency (EE) projects to meet EE portfolio standards requirements, with another 31% planning to implement such projects, but the improvements are not related to Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard requirements. About one out of five (22%) respondents indicated that a high-penetration of (future) renewable 3 w ww.zpryme.com www.smartgridresearch.org www.schneider-electric.us Schneider Electric Presents: U.S. Grid Automation Report September 2013
U.S. Grid Automation Survey Implications The survey results (presented in figures 1 22) in this report offer key insights about how utilities will proceed with grid automation projects in the near future. In this section we present the major implications of the data, and recommendations that can assist in advancing grid automation deployments. U.S. utilities will increasingly embrace grid analytics, thus creating significant opportunities for utilities to leverage the influx of data coming from thousands of nodes across their entire electrical systems. Analytics will enable faster and more accurate decisions to be made about wholesale peak power purchases, renewable and distributed resource integration, customer billing, outages, preventing energy losses, and emergency response planning. The result is lower operating costs, higher customer satisfaction, and reducing unnecessary strain on grid equipment. management system integration on the customer or utility side. Utilities are going to demand higher levels of interoperability, scalability, customer support, training, validation and testing from vendors before approving expenditures on new products, technologies, and software. I n other words, smallscale testing or controlled environment use cases will no longer be enough to gain the trust of utilities. Solutions must be proven in real-world (large-scale) deployments. A majority of utilities are prepared to embrace global standards, IEDs, advanced DMS, FLISR, renewable energy, EVs, and EE standards in an effort to build a grid that can meet the needs of today and tomorrow s Connected Economy. Utilities will seek to increase large commercial customer s participation in demand response programs. Such programs will require a higher level of customization to meet the needs of large customers, and also require advanced energy 4 w ww.zpryme.com www.smartgridresearch.org www.schneider-electric.us Schneider Electric Presents: U.S. Grid Automation Report September 2013
U.S. Grid Automation Trends Data analytics, advanced substation automation and demand response, and renewable and electric vehicle (EV) integration are key trends in grid automation that will continue to shape the market in the near term. Data results from the US Grid Automaton Survey indicate that 73% of US utilities are planning to procure grid analytics software. They are looking to this solution to leverage the influx of data coming from thousands of nodes across their electrical systems to enable faster and more accurate decisions about wholesale peak power purchases, renewable and distributed resource integration, customer billing, outages, preventing energy losses, and emergency response planning. The two approaches most likely to be used for grid analytics software are analytics integrated into an advanced DMS or a separate analytics application, and the majority of the respondents prefer the former approach. Nearly twothirds (65%) of the utilities surveyed want to use a multivendor best-of-breed components system, and the remainder would use an integrated advanced DMS from a major vendor, plus system integration. A trend in regard to demand response (DR) programs suggests that nearly half of US utilities are looking to employ commercial and industrial demand response solutions, one-quarter prefer a goal-oriented solution like Volt-VAR or conservation voltage reduction, and a small percentage (13%) prefer residential customer-oriented DR programs. There is a trending concern among utility executives that high penetrations of future renewable energy and future EV charging will create significant problems on their distribution systems. Eighty percent of the utilities that responded to the survey plan to upgrade older existing substations with intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) to support DMS or grid automation capabilities. In addition, the use of performance-based utility rates or reliability indexes would most likely lead to increased investment in feeder or substation automation, replacing aging distribution equipment, and DMS or ADMS software. 5 w ww.zpryme.com www.smartgridresearch.org www.schneider-electric.us Schneider Electric Presents: U.S. Grid Automation Report September 2013
U.S. Grid Automation Drivers isolate any breach to minimize its effect and raise an alarm to speed service restoration. AGING INFRASTRUCTURE AND WORKFORCE THE NEED TO REDUCE INDEPENDENCE ON FOSSIL FUELS The traditional electric grid has been in place since the mid-19 th century, and it is aging along with the workforce that have managed and maintained it. As with many asset intensive industries with complex capital infrastructure, the workforce has grown up with their respective utilities and the majority of them have been employed for their entire careers. The development and implementation of a modern smart grid infrastructure will require attention to workforce development to provide a number of well-trained, highly skilled electric power sector personnel knowledgeable in smart grid operations. A CRITICAL NEED FOR A FAST, RELIABLE AND SECURE INFRASTRUCTURE The smart grid integrates multiple controls and monitoring systems onto a single IP network to help ensure high priority is given to grid operations traffic. The network convergence enables utility companies to reduce power outages and service interruptions, as well as to reduce response times by quickly identifying, isolating, diagnosing and repairing faults. The security of such a connected structure from physical or cyber-attacks is of paramount importance. The grid needs to be able to detect and The current electric system has relied heavily on fossil fuels, including oil, coal and natural gas, as energy sources. These fuels are non-renewable and the reserves available on the earth are dwindling rapidly. The success of the future electric infrastructure will necessitate a heavy reliance on renewable energy sources. GLOBAL, FEDERAL AND STATE REGULATIONS AND TARGETS The Federal Government has established smart grid deployment targets and renewable portfolio standards. In addition, state-based regulatory frameworks, as well as existing and pending state and federal legislation, have created road maps and targets that are critical to plan a grid automation deployment strategy. STIMULUS FUNDS BEING REPLACED BY PRIVATE FUNDS More than $9 billion is currently invested in privately funded projects. In addition, there is strong interest from venture capital and private sector funding for the development of innovative smart grid technologies. 6 w ww.zpryme.com www.smartgridresearch.org www.schneider-electric.us Schneider Electric Presents: U.S. Grid Automation Report September 2013
Survey Respondent Characteristics Experience with Distribution Management Systems Over half (62%) of the respondents had three years or more experience with distribution management systems. Title Within Organization More of the professionals identified themselves as operations personnel (30%) than other types: director/manager (22%), professional staff (15%), supervisory (12%), executive (15%), and other (than these choices) (6%). How much experience do you have with distribution management systems? (figure 1, source: Zpryme) Other Utility Position, 6% What is your title? (figure 2, source: Zpryme) 11 to 15 years, 11% 6 to 10 years, 14% Over 15 years, 14% None, 8% Less than 1 year, 10% 1 to 2 years, 20% Operations, 30% Executive (CEO, VP), 15% Director / M anagerial, 22% 3 to 5 years, 23% Professional Staff, 15% Supervisory, 12% 7 w ww.zpryme.com www.smartgridresearch.org www.schneider-electric.us Schneider Electric Presents: U.S. Grid Automation Report September 2013
Utility Type There was substantial representation of all three types of electricity utilities: investor-owned (51%), municipal (21%), and cooperatives (25%). How would you classify your utility? (figure 3, source: Zpryme) Other, 3% Electric cooperative, 25% Investor-owned, 51% M unicipal, 21% 8 w ww.zpryme.com www.smartgridresearch.org www.schneider-electric.us Schneider Electric Presents: U.S. Grid Automation Report September 2013
Grid Automation Survey Detailed Findings Grid Analytics Software for Distribution System When asked whether their utility was planning to procure grid analytics software, over three-fourths (76%) said yes. Analytics Software Integration The two approaches most likely to be used for grid analytics software were: analytics integrated into an advanced DMS (47%), or a separate analytics application (29%). Is your utility planning to procure grid analytics software for your distribution system? (figure 4, source: Zpryme) Which approach would you likely use for the grid analytics software? (figure 5, source: Zpryme) Definitely no, 5% Definitely yes, 21% Other, 6% Not planning to procure grid analytics softw are, 18% Probably no, 19% Probably yes, 55% Analytics integrated into an Advanced DM S, 47% A separate analytics application, 29% 9 w ww.zpryme.com www.smartgridresearch.org www.schneider-electric.us Schneider Electric Presents: U.S. Grid Automation Report September 2013
Substation Automation and IEC 61850 Sixty-three percent said their utility was planning to adopt the IEC 61850 standard for substation automation. Obstacle of IEC 61850 Standard The main obstacles listed that would stop them from adopting IEC 61850 were other higher priorities (35%), testing/validation (18%), need assistance to implement (13%), and training (13%). Is your utility planning to adopt the IEC 61850 standard for substation automation? (figure 6, source: Zpryme) What primary obstacle would stop you from adopting the IEC 61850 standard? (figure 7, source: Zpryme) Definitely no, 6% Definitely yes, 15% Higher priorities at this time 35% Testing / Validation 18% Nothing, we plan to adopt 15% Probably no, 31% Probably yes, 48% Need assistance to implement 13% Training 13% Other 6% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 10 w ww.zpryme.com www.smartgridresearch.org www.schneider-electric.us Schneider Electric Presents: U.S. Grid Automation Report September 2013
Advanced DMS Integration The most popular approach to implement an advanced DMS would use multi-vendor best-of-breed components, plus systems integration (70%). The remainder (30%) would use an integrated advanced DMS from a major vendor. Updating Substations The utility professionals were queried about whether they planned to update existing substations with new electric devices to support DMS or grid automation capabilities. 79% said they planned to do so. Which approach would you prefer to implement an Advanced DMS? (figure 8, source: Zpryme) Is your utility planning to update older existing substations with new intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) to support DMS or grid automation capabilities? (figure 9, source: Zpryme) Definitely no, 3% An integrated Advanced DM S from a major vendor, 30% Definitely yes, 25% Probably no, 18% M ulti-vendor best-of-breed components, plus systems integration, 70% Probably yes, 54% 11 w ww.zpryme.com www.smartgridresearch.org www.schneider-electric.us Schneider Electric Presents: U.S. Grid Automation Report September 2013
Updating Feeder Circuits with FLISR They were also asked whether their utility planned to update existing feeder circuits outside of the substation with fault location, isolation, and service restoration upgrades, and 70% said they had such plans. Initial System Configuration Services for Grid Automation Ninety-five percent of the respondents said they would likely (21% extremely likely) use a major vendor to provide initial system configuration services for their grid automation. Is your utility planning to update existing feeder circuits outside of the substation with FLISR (fault location, isolation, and service restoration)? (figure 10, source: Zpryme) Definitely no, 5% Definitely yes, 26% How likely are you to use a major equipment vendor to provide initial system configuration services for your grid automation? (figure 11, source: Zpryme) Not likely at all, 5% Extremely likely, 21% Somew hat likely, 33% Probably no, 25% Probably yes, 44% Very likely, 41% 12 w ww.zpryme.com www.smartgridresearch.org www.schneider-electric.us Schneider Electric Presents: U.S. Grid Automation Report September 2013
Obstacles of Initial System Configuration Services The primary obstacles that would stop utilities from using a major equipment vendor for initial system configuration were: service level agreement concerns for support (30%), desire to perform in house configurations (19%), and relationship with existing integrator (18%). What primary obstacle would stop you from using a major equipment vendor to provide initial system configuration services for your grid automation project? (figure 12, source: Zpryme) Impact of Distribution System from Utility Rates or Reliability Indexes The top three major impacts on the distribution system from using performance-based utility rates or reliability indexes were: increased investment in feeder automation or substation automation (43%), increased investment for replacing aging distribution equipment (26%), and increased investment in DMS or ADMS software (13%). What will be the major impact on the distribution system from performance-based utility rates or reliability indexes? (figure 13, source: Zpryme) Service level agreement concerns for support Desire to perform in-house instead 19% 30% Increased investment in feeder automation or substation automation Increased investment for replacing aging distribution equipment 26% 43% Increased investment in DMS or ADMS software 13% Relationship with existing integrator 18% Other 8% Nothing, we are planning to use a major equipment vendor 23% Increased investment for refurbishing / extending life of aging equipment 6% Other 10% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% No impact 4% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 13 w ww.zpryme.com www.smartgridresearch.org www.schneider-electric.us Schneider Electric Presents: U.S. Grid Automation Report September 2013
Funding of Distribution Equipment Respondents were asked to describe their approach when their utility funds a distribution equipment life extension program. Thirty-seven percent said that they would retrofit existing equipment with new breakers/switches into the existing structure, 43% would replace with new equipment, and the remainder (20%) would refurbish existing equipment. Equipment Life Extension Program The main reasons they chose their approach (cited in figure 14) was the availability of capital funding (38%), and downtime (outage) considerations (30%). Other less chosen reasons were: physical dimensions/size restrictions (13%), arc flash exposure risk migration (7%), and qualified equipment service provider (8%). When your utility funds a distribution equipment life extension program, which best describes your approach? (figure 14, source: Zpryme) What is the main reason your utility chooses this approach for an equipment life extension program? (figure 15, source: Zpryme) Availability of capital funding 38% Retro-fill existing equipment w ith new Breakers / Sw itches (into existing structures), 37% Replace w ith new equipment, 43% Downtime (outage) considerations Physical dimensions / size restrictions Arc Flash exposure risk mitigation 7% 13% 30% Qualified equipment service provider 8% Refurbish existing equipment, 20% Other 4% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 14 w ww.zpryme.com www.smartgridresearch.org www.schneider-electric.us Schneider Electric Presents: U.S. Grid Automation Report September 2013
Level of Renewable Energy Generation A two-part issue first asked what the level of renewable energy generation that was being placed on their distribution system was today. Responses were: none (10%), small level (57%), moderate level (23%), and large level (10%). Future Renewable Energy Problems The second part of the issue asked whether a highpenetration of (future) renewable energy on their utility distribution system would cause any problems. Twelve percent said it would not cause any problems; 29% said it would cause small problems; 37% said it would cause moderate problems; and 22% said it would cause significant problems. The level of renewable energy generation being placed onto my utility distribution system today is: (figure 16, source: Zpryme) A high-penetration of (future) renewable energy on my utility distribution system is expected to: (figure 17, source: Zpryme) Large, 10% None, 10% Cause significant problems, 22% Not cause any problems, 12% M oderate, 23% Cause small problems, 29% Small, 57% Cause moderate problems, 37% 15 w ww.zpryme.com www.smartgridresearch.org www.schneider-electric.us Schneider Electric Presents: U.S. Grid Automation Report September 2013
Electric Vehicle Charging Another two-part issue first asked what the level of electric vehicle charging that was being placed on their distribution systems was today. Respondents said: none (38%), small level (56%), moderate level (4%), and large level (2%). Future Electric Vehicle Charging The follow-on question probed whether a high-penetration of (future) electric vehicle charging would cause problems. Seventeen percent said it would not cause problems; 29% said it would cause small problems; 36% said it would cause moderate problems; and 18% said it would cause significant problems. The level of electric vehicle charging being placed on my utility distribution system today is: (figure 18, source: Zpryme) A high-penetration of (future) electric vehicle charging on my utility distribution system is expected to: (figure 19, source: Zpryme) Large, 2% M oderate, 4% None, 38% Cause significant problems, 18% Not cause any problems, 17% Small, 56% Cause moderate problems, 36% Cause small problems, 29% 16 w ww.zpryme.com www.smartgridresearch.org www.schneider-electric.us Schneider Electric Presents: U.S. Grid Automation Report September 2013
Demand Management Option The next question asked the sample which demand management option they preferred. Forty-four percent said they preferred commercial and industrial customeroriented demand response programs; 25% preferred a grid-oriented solution like Volt-VAR or conservation voltage reduction; 13% preferred residential customer-oriented demand response programs; and the remainder, 18%, had another (than these three) preference. Which of the following does your utility prefer as a demand management option? (figure 20, source: Zpryme) Reasons Demand Response Option Chosen An open-ended question asked why those demand management preferences were selected (in figure 20); and the most frequent reasons were: Grid oriented preference Cost savings Conserve energy Changing grid dynamics Commercial and industrial oriented Ability to control load on a predictable basis Best ROI because there is a large MW control from a few customers Residential customeroriented demand response program, 13% Other, 18% Grid-oriented solution - like Volt-VAR or conservation voltage reduction (CVR), 25% Commercial and industrial customeroriented demand response program, 44% Residential oriented Pass savings on to customers Let customer take control of their energy usage No theme emerged when some respondents said they were not using a demand response program. 17 w ww.zpryme.com www.smartgridresearch.org www.schneider-electric.us Schneider Electric Presents: U.S. Grid Automation Report September 2013
Assisting with Energy Efficiency (EE) Projects The sample of utility professionals was queried about whether their utility was planning to assist large customers with energy efficiency (EE) projects. Thirty-six percent said yes to meet EE portfolio standards requirements; and another 31% said yes but not related to EE portfolio standards. Another 33% said they were not actively pursuing EE savings with customers. Automated Software System for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability projects The last item on the survey asked whether the respondents would need an automated software system to track energy efficiency (EE) savings and sustainability of such projects. Fifty-three percent said yes (28% to meet EE portfolio standards requirements, 25% not related to EE portfolio standards). Thirty-one percent reported they were not actively pursuing such a project, with a remaining 16% responding otherwise. Is your utility planning to assist large customers with Energy Efficiency (EE) projects? (figure 21, source: Zpryme) Would your utility need an automated software system to track the Energy Efficiency savings and Sustainability of projects? (figure 22, source: Zpryme) No w e are not actively pursuing Energy Efficiency savings w ith customers., 33% Yes but not related to EE portfolio standards, 31% Yes to meet EE portfolio standards requirements, 36% Other, 16% No w e are not actively pursuing Energy Efficiency savings w ith customers., 31% Yes to meet EE portfolio standards requirements, 28% Yes but not related to EE portfolio standards, 25% 18 w ww.zpryme.com www.smartgridresearch.org www.schneider-electric.us Schneider Electric Presents: U.S. Grid Automation Report September 2013
Zpryme Outlook As U.S. utilities transition from pilot or project mode to full deployment mode, the grid automation market will experience rapid transformation in the near term. Utilities that have already started distribution and substation automation will drive the growth of this market. Progressive utilities will pioneer the use of grid analytics, advanced DMS, sensors, IEDs, and FLISR. U.S. utilities will chart the path for global adoption of these technologies. Additionally, as grid automation deployments increase, it will become easier for utilities to make the business case (to PUCs, communities, and investors) for investments in such technologies. Finally, as U.S. utilities embrace global standards such as IEC 61850, vendors will ramp up their R&D and product portfolios to be able to meet utility demand for grid automation products. This increase in competition will lead to lower equipment prices and increased ROIs for utilities. The long-term result of such investments in grid automation will result in a significantly more reliable and efficient U.S. electric grid, higher utility customer satisfaction, and lower energy bills. 19 w ww.zpryme.com www.smartgridresearch.org www.schneider-electric.us Schneider Electric Presents: U.S. Grid Automation Report September 2013
About Schneider Electric As a global specialist in energy management with operations in more than 100 countries, Schneider Electric offers integrated solutions across multiple market segments, including leadership positions in Utilities & Infrastructure, Industries & Machines Manufacturers, Non-residential Building, Data Centers & Networks and in Residential. Focused on making energy safe, reliable, efficient, productive and green, the company s 140,000 plus employees achieved sales of 30.8 billion US dollars (24 billion euros) in 2012, through an active commitment to help individuals and organizations make the most of their energy. About Zpryme: Zpryme helps energy organizations understand their business environment, engage consumers, inspire innovation, and take action. This practice represents an evolution beyond traditional market research and consulting: combining sound fundamentals, innovative tools and methodologies, industry experience, and creative marketing savvy to supercharge clients success. At Zpryme, we don t produce tables and charts; we deliver opportunity-focused, actionable insight that is both engaging and easy-to-digest. Disclaimer: These materials and the information contained herein are provided by Zpryme Research & Consult ing, LLC and are int ended to provide general information on a particular subject or subjects and is not an exhaust ive t reat ment of such subject(s). Accordingly, the information in these materials is not intended to const it ut e account ing, t ax, legal, investment, consulting or other professional advice or services. The information is not int ended t o be relied upon as t he sole basis for any decision w hich may affect you or your business. Before making any decision or t aking any act ion that might affect your personal finances or business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. These mat erials and the information contained herein is provided as is, and Zpryme Research & Consult ing, LLC makes no express or implied representations or warranties regarding these materials and the information herein. Without limiting t he foregoing, Zpryme Research & Consulting, LLC does not w arrant t hat t he mat erials or informat ion cont ained herein w ill be error-free or will meet any particular criteria of performance or quality. Zpryme Research & Consult ing, LLC expressly disclaims all implied warranties, including, without limitation, warranties of merchantability, t it le, fit ness for a part icular purpose, noninfringement, compat ibilit y, securit y, and accuracy. Predict ion of fut ure ev ent s is inherent ly subject to both known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual result s t o vary mat erially. Your use of t hese and t he informat ion cont ained herein is at your ow n risk and you assume full responsibility and risk of loss resulting from the use thereof. Zpryme Research & Consulting, LLC will not be liable for any special, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages or any other damages what soever, w het her in an act ion of contract, statute, tort (including, without limitation, negligence), or otherwise, relat ing t o t he use of t hese mat erials and t he informat ion cont ained herein. 20 w ww.zpryme.com www.smartgridresearch.org www.schneider-electric.us Schneider Electric Presents: U.S. Grid Automation Report September 2013
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