Itron Technology Being Considered by National Grid as Utility Begins to Realize its Smart Grid Vision
LIBERTY LAKE, Wash. — September 9, 2009 — Itron Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI) announced today that National Grid, the nation’s second-largest utility, has selected Itron to participate in development of an operational proof-of-concept (POC) lab at the utility’s Smart Grid Technology Centre in Syracuse, N.Y. for testing of Itron smart metering/smart grid technology.
Itron plans to demonstrate total end-to-end responsibility for the foundational elements critical to National Grid’s vision of tomorrow’s smart grid.
The POC will demonstrate how Itron smart grid solutions, including its smart metering system, OpenWay®, and Itron Enterprise Edition™ Meter Data Management, culminate in a smart home, smart meter, smart utility and smart grid.
Itron systems support National Grid goals by enabling bi-directional data communications and system integration; demand response, time-based pricing and remote connect/disconnect functionality for a smart meter; and meter data validation, estimation and editing for a smart utility—all culminating in a smart grid.
Itron, working closely with National Grid, seeks to test a number of its partners’ products including in-home devices and mid-tier IP broadband network communications for the wide area network backhaul, high-availability distribution automation, and SCADA operations. The system would interface to the utility’s operational information systems.
Said Philip Mezey, Itron North America senior vice president and chief operating officer, “We look forward to further developing the flexible and collaborative working relationship we have with National Grid in order to rapidly achieve the utility’s smart grid vision.”
Itron holds a commanding spot for contracted market share for smart grid AMI implementations in North America including wins with industry-leading utilities like CenterPoint Energy (Texas), DTE Energy (Mich.), San Diego Gas & Electric (Calif.), and Southern California Edison (Calif.). Itron also leads in market share for meter data management deployments, with more than 50 licensed IEE MDM customers worldwide.
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