Ambient EDC Eases Migration to Smart Grid
Ambient, Itron Collaboration will Provide Automatic Near-Real Time Legacy Meter Reads and Outage Detection
Boston, MA, October 12, 2009 - Ambient Corporation (OTCBB: ABTG) and Itron Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI) today announced development of the Ambient® EDC module. The EDC module provides utilities a true, efficient path from legacy automatic meter reading (encoder receiver transmitter commonly known as “ERT”) systems to more advanced smart metering.
“The possibility of leaving assets stranded without a clear road map or without a viable option for incorporating such assets into a smart grid platform has prevented many utilities from deploying smart grid technology. The new EDC module, developed with cooperation from Itron, gives utilities a critical migration path linking their legacy meters to newer advanced communications systems without stranding recently deployed assets,” said John J. Joyce, President and CEO of Ambient Corporation. “With greater than 60 million ERT meters in the U.S. alone, the market potential is very significant.”
The EDC is an optional module integrated into Ambient’s smart grid node. Strategically installed at various points along the distribution grid and always collecting data from surrounding meters, the EDC eliminates the need to drive-by each meter to collect meter reads. The EDC listens for messages from meters equipped with ERT modules and automatically collects and stores that data. The frequency of reads and amount of time the information is stored are configurable by the utility. Using the new EDC module, utilities will be able to get data periodically for near real-time meter reads, along with outage detection, instead of once-a-month or estimated reads.
”Itron has always believed in the value migration brings to utilities as their business needs for automation continue to grow. We look forward to working with our partners to create an open, industry standard smart grid environment. Ambient’s EDC module provides another valuable tool our customers can use, especially those that are looking for ways to bridge to Itron’s OpenWay® solution,” said Russ Vanos, director of marketing for Itron.
Data collected by the EDC module will be transferred to the utility’s meter collection software, and eventually to their billing system, as Ambient and Itron work together to complete the end-to-end process.
“This new application continues to demonstrate the flexibility and extensibility of the Ambient Smart Grid® platform. A node with the EDC module can also be simultaneously utilized to provide other smart grid applications such as distribution system monitoring,” said Ram Rao, Chief Technology Officer of Ambient Corporation. “The EDC is currently being tested in the field by one of our utility partners.”
Key Features of the EDC:
Has a lower unit cost than previous solutions
Flexibility for backhaul connections
Provides a migration path from legacy systems (AMR) to smart metering, eliminating drive-by or mobile systems
Allows the utility to have near real-time reads of meters
Service outages detection
Monday, October 12, 2009
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Grid as Utility Begins to Realize its Smart Grid Vision
ReplyDeleteWed Sep 9, 9:41 AM
LIBERTY LAKE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Itron Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI) announced today that National Grid, the nation’s second-largest utility, has selected Itron to participate in development of an operational proof-of-concept (POC) lab at the utility’s Smart Grid Technology Centre in Syracuse, N.Y. for testing of Itron smart metering/smart grid technology.
Itron plans to demonstrate total end-to-end responsibility for the foundational elements critical to National Grid’s vision of tomorrow’s smart grid.
The POC will demonstrate how Itron smart grid solutions, including its smart metering system, OpenWay®, and Itron Enterprise Edition™ Meter Data Management, culminate in a smart home, smart meter, smart utility and smart grid.
Itron systems support National Grid goals by enabling bi-directional data communications and system integration; demand response, time-based pricing and remote connect/disconnect functionality for a smart meter; and meter data validation, estimation and editing for a smart utility—all culminating in a smart grid.
Itron, working closely with National Grid, seeks to test a number of its partners’ products including in-home devices and mid-tier IP broadband network communications for the wide area network backhaul, high-availability distribution automation, and SCADA operations. The system would interface to the utility’s operational information systems.
Said Philip Mezey, Itron North America senior vice president and chief operating officer, “We look forward to further developing the flexible and collaborative working relationship we have with National Grid in order to rapidly achieve the utility’s smart grid vision.”
Itron holds a commanding spot for contracted market share for smart grid AMI implementations in North America including wins with industry-leading utilities like CenterPoint Energy (Texas), DTE Energy (Mich.), San Diego Gas & Electric (Calif.), and Southern California Edison (Calif.). Itron also leads in market share for meter data management deployments, with more than 50 licensed IEE MDM customers worldwide.
Shares of Itron rise on stimulus view
ReplyDeleteShares of Itron rise as analyst sees federal stimulus spending for utility meters
On 12:20 pm EDT, Thursday September 17, 2009
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- Shares of Itron Inc. rose Thursday as an analyst said the manufacturer of energy meters for utilities will be a key beneficiary of federal spending intended to modernize the nation's power grid.
Analyst Paul Clegg of Jefferies & Co. initiated a "Buy" rating of the Liberty Lake, Wash., company. He set a $77 price target.
Advanced meter infrastructure, or AMI, is fundamental to so-called "smart grid" construction projects that is expected to be propelled by federal stimulus spending, he said in a note to clients.
"As one of the few publicly traded smart grid plays, we view ITRI as a key holding," Clegg said. "We believe ITRI will benefit from significant growth as utility deployments accelerate next year."
AMI provides communications between utility meters and utility companies, improving the meters' operations and customer service.
Clegg estimates Itron's 2010 earnings will be $3.66 per share.
Wall Street's estimate of $3.20 per share is "fairly conservative" and will most likely increase over the next several months, he said.
Utilities this year put off spending on new meters and maintenance of basic meters as they waited to see how much stimulus money is approved by Congress, Clegg said. As a result, 2010 could be a much stronger year as utilities replace meters and spend on advanced meter infrastructure, he said.
Shares rose $2.55, or 4 percent, to $67.09 in afternoon trading.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Shares-of-Itron-rise-on-apf-502137588.html/print;_ylt=AldBlWKH5UmKMwTKNeYdJfbeba9_;_ylu=X3oDMTBwNjZiaWw5BHBvcwMxBHNlYwN0b29scwRzbGsDcHJpbnQ-?x=0