Our Power, Our Planet: Celebrating Itron Customers on Earth Day

Earth Day is a reminder that the choices we make today shape the world we leave for future generations. This year’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” highlights the critical link between clean energy and environmental stewardship, and the collective responsibility we all share in building a more sustainable future. 

At Itron, we are proud to collaborate with utilities and cities around the globe that are making measurable strides in sustainability. Utilizing advanced technologies and innovative solutions from Itron, our customers are improving efficiency, strengthening grid resilience and creating a more resourceful world. Here are a few standout examples. 

Copenhagen: Smarter Street Lights, Safer Cities 

Copenhagen, one of the world’s most sustainable and forward-thinking cities, is collaborating with Itron and EDF Denmark to deploy a multi-purpose Industrial IoT platform that supports smart city applications aimed at reducing energy waste, improving roadway safety and encouraging carbon-free transportation. A key focus area is LED street lighting, with the city replacing high-pressure sodium lamps with highly efficient LED fixtures, delivering over 70% energy savings for new luminaires and better-quality light. To date, Copenhagen has upgraded over19,000 light points with LEDs and advanced controls, and now mandates that all new lighting endpoints include intelligent control capabilities. Itron’s radio modules are also being implemented to enable instant failure alerts and optimize energy use by adjusting light output throughout the night. While lights currently follow a set schedule, future enhancements could allow dynamic brightness adjustments based on human presence—maximizing both safety and energy efficiency. 

Hydro One: Leading the Charge in Grid Modernization and Customer Empowerment 

Hydro One is taking grid modernization head-on with a first-of-its-kind Distributed Intelligence (DI) initiative, integrating multiple DI applications to enhance grid reliability and empower customers with real-time energy insights. In collaboration with Itron and technology partners, the utility leverages high-fidelity data to support transportation electrification, distributed energy resource (DER) adoption and smarter energy use. By utilizing applications like Itron’s DI Consumer Energy Stream Agent, Hydro One empowers customers with real-time insights to optimize energy use, lower costs and enhance grid efficiency. This initiative is a key step in Hydro One’s broader effort to build a more flexible and resilient grid, ensuring that as energy demands evolve, customer and community needs remain at the forefront. 

Alectra Utilities: Paving the Way for a Net-Zero Grid with Next-Generation AMI 

As Canada pushes toward a net-zero electricity grid by 2035, Alectra Utilities is leading the way with its transition to next-generation advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). With 75% of its meter fleet nearing end of life, the utility strategically upgraded to next-generation AMI to enhance grid resilience, support electrification and enable seamless integration of DERs and electric vehicles. By prioritizing high-risk areas for deployment and implementing a meticulous transition plan, including reusing aged meters as temporary replacements and creating breadcrumbing trails for uninterrupted communication, Alectra is ensuring a cost-effective, disruption-free evolution of its smart grid. This next-generation infrastructure provides customers with deeper energy insights and strengthens Alectra’s role in advancing Canada’s decarbonization goals. 

Greenville Water: Setting the Standard for Smart and Sustainable Water Management 

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Greenville Water is a shining example of how a fast-growing utility can balance efficiency, sustainability and affordability. Serving a population of 754,000 customers, the utility has maintained one of the lowest average monthly water bills in the country while delivering award-winning water quality. For over 20 years, Greenville Water has partnered with Itron to optimize its transmission and billing automation, achieving a one-day read-to-bill window and keeping non-revenue water below 14%. By leveraging advanced technology, the utility has significantly reduced truck rolls and carbon emissions, demonstrating that resource constraints are no barrier to building a modern, efficient water network. Recognized with the AWWA 2024 Exemplary Source Water Protection Award, Greenville Water exemplifies how innovation and collaboration can drive both operational excellence and environmental stewardship. 

Shaping a More Resourceful World 

As we celebrate Earth Day, we’re reminded of the essential role that utilities, cities and communities play in advancing sustainability. Through collaboration and innovation, we can continue to drive meaningful change today while preserving the vitality of our planet for the generations to come.  Happy Earth Day from all of us at Itron!