Itron Inspire 2024: Addressing Industry Challenges Leveraging Data and AI

The world’s energy and water delivery systems are becoming increasingly dynamic—and complex. Utilities are under an enormous amount of pressure to deliver safe, reliable and affordable service – but are up against a host of new and evolving challenges like extreme weather, security threats, aging infrastructure, water scarcity concerns and more. Itron Inspire 2024 will gather industry experts to share insights, inspire one another and collaborate on solutions to address these challenges. Join us from Oct. 4-10, 2024, in Palm Desert, CA where we’ll do just that, and explore the possibilities for a better connected, sustainable and more resourceful future. 

Make the most of your Itron Inspire experience with trainings and forums 

From one-day introductory courses to three-day certified training sessions on Itron’s Temetra solution, we have pre-conference training classes of all ranges to help you maximize your professional development while you’re here. You can add a pre-conference training class to your conference registration or register for a pre-conference training class only. Sign up is available within conference registration. 

We also offer a variety of forums that allow attendees to hear from Itron product team members, ask questions and share best practices. Forums will cover topics including new features and enhancements of our water-based outcomes, solutions to low- and medium-voltage issues and ways utilities can improve operational efficiency, enhance network awareness, generate actionable intelligence and more by leveraging AMI Operations. Forums are free to attend with your Knowledge Center Conference pass but registration is required.  

Kick off the Knowledge Conference with our 2024 keynotes 

The Knowledge Conference (Oct. 6-8) is the main event at Itron Inspire. Conference attendees can choose from over 75 breakout sessions led by industry peers, attend two impactful keynotes, participate in numerous networking activities and visit the Knowledge Center to learn about Itron’s end-to-end solutions, as well as the solutions offered by our technology partners. This year’s Knowledge Conference keynotes will include:

• Southern California Edison’s senior vice president and chief information officer, Todd Inlander, with an opening keynote focused on the utility’s innovative approach to better serving customers.  
• Tom Deitrich, president and CEO of Itron, with a discussion highlighting the importance of innovation as our industry continues its digital transformation, and how more intelligence leads to greater visibility and control of our energy and water delivery networks. 
• Findings from the 2024 Itron Resourcefulness Insight Report about how utilities are leveraging artificial intelligence and data to improve their business.  
• Energy and water trends, grid edge intelligence and the role of AI in the energy-water nexus on day two with Dr. Michael Webber, renowned author and professor of energy resources and mechanical engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. 

Get excited for this year’s Big Picture sessions 

Grid Edge Intelligence and the Role of Data Governance: As utilities strive to ensure grid reliability, resiliency and sustainability, data governance is critical to safeguarding the integrity and security of data and ensuring consumer privacy. During the Big Picture session on Monday, Oct. 7, industry experts will discuss innovative approaches to data ownership and management amid the energy transition.  

Navigating the Journey Toward Sustainability: The second Big Picture session on Tuesday, Oct. 8 will focus on the utility journey toward decarbonization. Achieving sustainability goals is at the forefront of how utilities operate, but it also presents challenges. During this Big Picture session, attendees will learn how electricity, gas and water utilities are tackling these challenges and leveraging technology, policy frameworks and stakeholder collaboration to drive impactful change and create a carbon-neutral future.  

Explore the Knowledge Center 

Visit the Knowledge Center to discover the latest innovations and technologies helping utilities worldwide overcome challenges as they transition to cleaner energy and water delivery. This showcase of Itron and partner solutions will demonstrate the value of our technologies, software and services, and the possibilities they enable. Knowledgeable experts will be on hand to explain how your utility can achieve operational excellence and maximize its electricity, gas and water resources.  

The Knowledge Center also features the Itron Experience, an interactive demo space that combines technology and services from both Itron and our partners to tell an end-to-end story about how our solutions come together to deliver outcomes for utilities and smart cities.

Don’t miss the Women Who Inspire session  

The annual Women Who Inspire session celebrates the women at the forefront of our industry—true pioneers in technology, energy and water management, and smarter communities—who are driving transformation, creating lasting change and showcasing the power of community. Featuring a panel discussion, the Women in Utilities session takes place Oct. 8 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. We hope to see you there!    

Recognize sustainable innovation 

Each year, we honor our customers’ significant achievements in sustainability. In partnership with Frost & Sullivan, the Excellence in Resourcefulness Awards recognize utilities that have achieved measurable outcomes in the wise and careful use of energy and water through advanced technologies or services. Nominations are open through Wednesday, July 31, and the winners will be announced and celebrated at Itron Inspire 2024. The 2023 winners included Sacramento Municipal Utility District and Las Vegas Valley Water District.  

We will also present the Itron Innovator Award, which recognizes a customer who has leveraged Itron’s partner enablement programs to deliver a breakthrough solution in energy/water efficiency or smart communities. The 2023 Innovator Award was given to Tampa Electric Company. If you know a customer who’s pushing the envelope of what’s possible with Itron technology, submit your nomination by Friday, Aug. 30. The winner will be announced at the conference and receive global recognition and promotion. 

Register today for Itron Inspire 2024  

Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of our annual flagship event. To take advantage of early bird pricing and save $300, register by Friday, July 19. Learn more about the inspiring speakers and sessions we have planned and register today at www.itron.com/inspire. Follow us on social media to stay up to date on all things Itron Inspire and use the hashtag #ItronInspire24 to join the conversation.