The smart grid is a convergence of technologies — smart meters, grid sensors control devices, distributed generation, energy storage, and consumer apps — working together to enable efficient management of the power supply and demand. “The smart grid is revolutionizing the existing electrical grid to improve efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of the generation, transmission, and distribution of electrical power,” says Philip Mezey, President and CEO, Itron. However, issues associated with rising demand for electricity, increasing legislation, and consumer engagement and management must be addressed before full benefits of the smart grid can be achieved. “Additionally, how to capitalize on the use of network resources and effective use of power is the primary consideration while designing the smart grids,” illustrates Mezey. By combining high-end metering, advanced communications, and innovative software tools, Liberty Lake, WA based Itron is helping utilities and consumers to meet the significant challenges faced in managing energy resources.

The company’s flagship offering, Active Grid – a smart grid technology, provides the measurement, sense communications and analytic capabilities to ensure a more reliable, efficient and resourceful energy future. The Active Grid architecture is supported by an IoT- distributed intelligence platform to support innovative solutions that are essential to carry out smart grid operations. “Active Grid’s high-performance multiple communications, technologies integrated into the same device that delivers connectivity at a high speed under single, unified, enterprise-class network architecture,” explains Mezey.

To provide a cost-effective way to streamline Active Grid operations, the company provides innovative metering solutions for evolving smart grid applications. Built upon industry standards, Itron’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) solutions offer higher functionality for advanced metering and smart grid applications. Featuring two-way communications down to the meter, Itron’s AMI network solutions collect, deliver, manage and analyze data more frequently, which in turn helps in proactive management of customers and resources. Furthermore, the company also offers high quality instrumentation transformers to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the electricity network.