AMI enables transformation in the coop and municipal sector by providing all of the necessary components to help you realize operational value now while forming the foundation for future services and advanced use cases for your smart water distribution network. By leveraging AMI Essentials, a multi-commodity, fully integrated, end-to-end solution, utilities have the elements needed to deploy and derive value their systems including a network (cellular or RF) communications platform, water communication modules (endpoints), and hosted software and deployment services. Learn how utilities are using AMI to deliver more accurate and timely data for billing purposes, reduce truck rolls required to support move ins/move outs, increase operational efficiency, improve customer service, and provide transformational visibility to granular interval and other usage data for resourceful use of water and associated conservation initiatives.  Additionally, we will cover some suggested funding options to enable accelerate these advancements through IIJA funding.

Discover how our new, integrated platform simplifies the user experience by combining diverse functionalities in a unified view. Learn about its rapid value realization and cost-effectiveness, by streamlining the integration and deployment processes. We'll explore the new possibilities enabled by our new platform, including advanced use cases, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning applications, and robust security features. Don't miss the opportunity to see how our platform, set to launch at Inspire, can transform your operations by quickly enabling advanced analytics capability for business value.

Many utilities currently lack real-time visibility into the secondary distribution grid network. Having this visibility is critical as the grid gets more dynamic due to the increasing penetration of EV charging and solar generation, and as you are asked to extract more out of existing grid assets. In addition, having continuous awareness of your device’s electrical connectivity in relation to other grid assets provides the ability to monitor and control your secondary distribution network. Through the Transformer Awareness Bundle, distributed intelligence applications such as Active Transformer Load Monitoring, Active Transformer Voltage Monitoring, Location Awareness and Virtual RTU/DNP3 Gateway provide real-time information and detection of distribution transformer events (specifically loading and voltage), enable ADMS management and protection of distribution transformers, minimize repair costs and enhance reliability, resiliency and predictability. Learn how utilities are monitoring their transformers in real-time and gaining valuable, actionable insights.

We are in the midst of an evolution and exciting time for the gas industry. The growing adoption of ultrasonic gas metering and next-generation industrial IoT (IIoT) networking with cellular is enhancing the value proposition for safety, data analytics, operational efficiency, and gas grid edge regulatory compliance. Join this session to hear how leading gas utilities are leveraging smart meters, networks, and applications to navigate new challenges in their gas modernization strategies. Speakers will share experiences in building the business case for Gas Edge solutions, how they began the journey and the motivating catalyst for the digital transition of gas operations.

The business case for smart lighting is clear with cities deriving significant cost and energy savings by upgrading to LEDs with controls. However, building the business case beyond lighting looks different for every community. Learn how cities and utilities of all sizes are exploring ways to address problems such as congested roadways, aggressive carbon reduction mandates, high energy costs, and lack of visibility and control across city infrastructure. Many cities and utilities are adopting IoT sensors and solutions that can effectively address these problems by expanding on smart lighting network platforms, giving them a head start in this digital transformation. Join this session to hear insights and strategies cities are using today to enable the realization of a smarter, more connected, and sustainable future.

Join this robust session to better understand the pivotal role data analytics software holds in maintaining revenue streams by using insights from consumption patterns and forecasting demand. Data analytics will highlight the significant reduction in operational expenditures through automated meter reading, which will eliminate labor, fleet expenses, re-reading costs, and Workman’s Compensation claims. We will discuss how to address the growing consumer interest for actionable data through customer engagement portals that offers real-time usage information. Learn more about technologies like the Itron Leak Sensor and mlogonline and their effectiveness in reducing real water loss. We’ll also address the potential need to enforce and monitor conservation programs, the addition of sensors for water quality and pressure monitoring, and the integration of Smart Cities concepts and IoT devices. Lastly you will hear about the benefits of small Diehl and Kamstrup ultrasonic meters, including freezing and burst pipe alarms and the role they play in efficient water management.

The grid is becoming increasingly dynamic and complex — and our customers are on the forefront of this evolution. While some utilities have established smart metering programs already, others are newly embarking on the grid edge and distributed intelligence by reinventing their meter-to-cash solutions. Attend this session and hear perspectives from utilities in various stages of their distributed intelligence journeys to better understand how they justified the value, developed strategies, prioritized use cases, evaluated applications and began executing their deployments.

Streetlights are more than just sources of illumination, they are valuable assets with significant financial implications for municipalities and utilities alike. As the trend toward municipalization continues to grow, understanding the true value of your streetlight infrastructure becomes increasingly crucial. In this session, we will explore the multi-faceted process of calculating the value of streetlight poles, examining how municipalization affects this valuation. We'll address common perceptions, such as viewing lighting as a sunk cost, and discuss why a more nuanced approach is necessary. Attendees will gain insights into the various factors that contribute to the valuation of streetlights, from initial installation costs to ongoing maintenance and operational efficiencies. Join us to uncover practical strategies for maximizing the value of your streetlight assets and ensuring sustainable, cost-effective lighting solutions for your community.

Key discussion points will include:

• Effects of Municipalization: Understand the financial and operational impacts when municipalities take control of streetlight infrastructure.

• Valuation of Streetlights: Learn methodologies for accurately assessing the value of streetlight poles as infrastructure to support smart city applications.

• Strategic Collaboration: Discover best practices for successful utility-city collaboration to extend lighting and smart city benefits throughout the community.

• Utility-as-a-Service Model: Explore the benefits and challenges of utilities serving as the lighting maintenance contractor, providing streetlighting as a service to municipalities.

Using data from an AMI system and devices at the edge provides utilities better methods for managing their grids.  As more non-linear, variable demand and distributed generation sources penetrate the distribution network, managing the dynamic voltage conditions at the edge has become more challenging than ever. This session presents how utilities can use the ability to more frequently capture AMI metrology data from their GenX AMI system and operational analytics tools to make adjustments in the distribution network as part of an active voltage management solution, ensuring grid resiliency, optimizing capacity and resource management, and improving emergency response and energy efficiency.

Presenters will share updates on the globally adopted DLMS/COSEM meter communications protocol standards and the initiative to produce a Generic Companion Profile (GCP) specifically for North American utility business processes and use cases.  Learn about the industry-wide benefits of adopting a secure, standards-based approach to accelerate the path to greater meter diversity, achieve consistency of use case support across vendors, and reduce the cost of equipment specification, qualification and validation. Further, simplifying equipment and application interoperability unlocks possibilities to adopt a broader range of multi-vendor industrial IoT solutions for grid edge intelligence, smart cities, behind-the-meter assets and much more.

Amidst the growing complexity of metering systems, the need for efficient and accurate testing is paramount—specifically for distributed intelligence applications. This session explores various approaches to testing distributed intelligence agents which demonstrates a professional methodology, quality agents that work the first time when deployed, the diversity of use cases DI can address and how the collaboration and partnership between utilities and solution providers is key to the energy transition. In addition, this session will highlight the broader implications of these advancements for the metering industry and a glimpse into potential future enhancements in automated testing methodologies.

Discovering and addressing potential safety concerns on your low-voltage distribution network is paramount. Having visibility into issues associated with outages and fires, energy theft and hot sockets can prevent catastrophic situations. Through the Safety Bundle, distributed intelligence applications such as High Impedance Detection, Meter Bypass Detection and Active Temperature Monitoring detect and locate poor electrical connections, discover meter tampering and energy diversion, and use high-resolution temperature readings to detect meter socket problems, respectively—all before they create a safety hazard or interrupt service. Learn how utilities are decreasing customer outage minutes, minimizing repair costs and field visits, and ultimately ensuring customer safety and satisfaction with distributed intelligence applications.

Gas safety is a top priority for both you and your customers. As a responsible utility, it's crucial to manage and mitigate risks in your service area, such as gas leaks, explosions, wildfires, backhoe incursions, and pressure events. In this session, we will introduce you to the gas safety revolution and the latest advancements in metering and solutions. Learn how utilities are using solid-state gas meters and smart devices that integrate ultrasonic metrology and enhanced safety features to monitor, control, and transform their gas distribution networks through various use cases such as rapid identification of gas leaks, pressure management or proactively responding to severe weather events. Understand how the Gas Distribution Safety solution will converge these use cases into a single solution and visually renders alarms and events, allowing for quick and efficient response times. This session will provide you with a better understanding how to address your most pressing safety concerns. With increased visibility into safety events in your gas distribution system, you can take proactive measures to prevent incidents and ensure the safety of your customers and employees.

The utility segment continues to be a leading growth area for Cellular IoT   solutions. However, navigating the mix of acronyms and rapidly evolving   functionality related to Cellular IoT, 5G and other wireless technologies can be complex even for the most seasoned telecommunications professionals. Join this session to learn more about Itron’s cellular strategy as we explore new ways to leverage the enhanced coverage, capacity, lower power consumption and   reduced costs of new cellular technologies specifically designed to support battery-powered water and gas solutions. Attendees will hear key updates to our portfolio, focusing on new use cases for gas and water, enabled by our cellular endpoints. We will also explore various use cases suited for cellular technologies including 5G, LTE-M, NB1 and more.

Discover the intricate dynamics of California's distinctive utility distribution networks as we delve into the challenges and innovations shaping its landscape. Utilities will share insights on navigating the converging challenges of electrification, rapid EV and solar adoption, regulatory   complexities, rising consumer expectations and carbon reduction initiatives. Further, as a region susceptible to severe weather events, water scarcity and wildfires, California has confronted its fair share of challenges. Learn how utilities and cities are implementing technology solutions to ensure the safety and reliability of their energy and water systems, securing a sustainable energy future for communities statewide.

Utilities   are increasingly embracing peer-to-peer communications to enhance grid   reliability and resilience. By utilizing this capability of edge devices   communicating and coordinating actions in the field, recloser teaming schemes   can coordinate actions autonomously, thereby swiftly isolating faults and   restoring power to unaffected areas. This decentralized approach minimizes   outage durations and enhances the overall reliability of the grid. Itron has   also leveraged peer-to-peer communication in its next-generation smart meters   which can autonomously establish connections with nearby meters, improving   the accuracy of location data and how meters are connected to the broader   grid, leading to more efficient outage management and improved operational decision-making   for utilities. We will examine these use cases and also how peer-to-peer and   distributed intelligence may be leveraged in the future.

Utilities are under increasing pressure to act to ensure their critical infrastructure is ready to meet future grid modernization, resilience, security, and clean energy requirements. Foundational communication networks play a key role in helping utilities to meet these challenges while also mitigating technology risks, increase customer satisfaction, and improve operational metrics. Join this panel of industry experts as they explain the fundamental building blocks and stages in successfully building out private wireless broadband and multi-carrier networks. It’s clear that flexible networks will be required to support required increased data speeds, capacity and security needed to operate modern, safe, and resilient utility infrastructure. Learn more about private LTE utility use cases and how utilities, technology vendors and carriers are working together to accelerate the evolution to private wireless broadband.

Hydro One is proactively preparing for the energy transition by adopting grid edge solutions, with a focus on distributed intelligence. Hear about results and lessons learned from their testing and how they used a phased approach with multiple environments to validate business value and to inform their technical and business designs for large-scale deployment of DI applications. Learn about key findings on this experience based on their small-scale “distribution model” in a metering lab used to test DI apps and their real-world lab environment of 500 customers (the opt-in “myEnergy Connect” program) which includes a second in series meter at each premise that is utilized for innovation. In addition, attendees will hear about results related to the customer experience.