Industry Insights, Itron Inspire

A Smarter Grid Starts with Intelligence at the Edge

July 8, 2025

Trees grow, storms happen and people are human. These factors have threatened reliable energy delivery since the inception of the electric grid.  But in today’s world, every director of distribution operations must also navigate a myriad of dynamic forces driving exponential load growth. And most of the forces driving this rapid load growth lie beyond the visibility or control of the utility.  

In the exciting space of grid edge intelligence, distribution system analytics are emerging as a critical resource to help utility professionals in their quest for reliable and cost-efficient delivery of electric power. Complementary to behind-the-meter solutions, grid edge intelligence and distributed intelligence-based solutions resonate with the core priorities of utility executives managing the distribution system infrastructure. These include improving distribution reliability, increasing safety and reducing risk, making the grid edge a valuable area of investment for utilities.  

Itron’s Grid Edge Intelligence portfolio is well-positioned to address these priorities head-on—helping utilities optimize their capital investments while improving key KPIs for system reliability and system performance. Having identified high-value use cases and made significant progress in enhancing grid edge technologies, Itron delivers an end-to-end solution that addresses the most critical challenges faced by utilities, including wildfire and storm risk reduction. 

With grid edge intelligence, Itron has become a recognized leader in delivering distributed intelligence-based analytics solutions that dramatically improve advanced distribution and control systems. Applying distributed intelligence to the wealth of real-time grid edge infrastructure data utilities collect, we leverage our technological advancements to deliver cost-effective solutions that give the distribution operator visibility and control at the edge. Our strategic initiatives are driving growth and innovation in the utility sector and delivering both hard and soft dollar benefits for utilities. 

Connect with Itron at Itron Inspire 

In October 2025, we look forward to hosting a council of experts in the distribution space at Itron Inspire. Coming together with a shared purpose and a collective wealth of experience, these distribution operations professionals will collaborate to chart a course to grid modernization powered by technology and innovation. Contact us to learn more. 

By Stefan Zschiegner


Vice President, Product Management, Outcomes


Stefan Zschiegner joined Itron in March 2020 as VP Product Management for the Outcomes business. Prior to joining Itron, he held product business leadership roles driving digital transformation in telecom (leading Mitel’s Cloud business) and in manufacturing (Velo3D). Previously Zschiegner held product leadership positions in energy solutions at Enphase Energy and driving global growth with grid connected solutions for First Solar. His education includes the Executive Marketing Management Program at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, and a masters equivalent degree in electrical engineering from Technical-University Hamburg in Hamburg, Germany.