Itron and Utilismart collaborate on smart metering solution to bridge AMR-AMI gap

The solution combines Itron’s electric cellular-based meters with Utilismart’s data management and analytics solution.

The solution, aimed at Canadian and US utilities, and cooperatives and municipal utilities in particular, is intended to extend the capabilities of automated meter reading (AMR) systems with advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) features.

As such it is intended for a variety of use cases. One is for utilities with an existing AMR system that does not provide the data necessary for complex industrial billing, such as interval billing data.

Another is for utilities with commercial/industrial customers who require daily consumption usage data and the presentment of that data for operational decisions.

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A third is for utilities with AMR or AMI systems without voltage measurement capability which are implementing a conservation voltage reduction or volt-VAR optimisation programme by dropping in bellwether meters for the near real-time voltage information needed for system control.

Finally, for industrial customers who wish to sub-meter their processes and have that data collected and available in a presentment tool. For example, with sub-metering a utility with a large campus facility or processes that operate as cost centres under a single utility billing meter can enable cost allocation by cost centre.

“This collaboration fills the gap that small-sized utilities are facing between AMR and AMI solutions and offers an alternative, fully hosted and operated meter reading and data presentment model that also addresses growing submetering needs,” says Miro Karlicic, vice president, business development and innovation at Utilismart Corporation.

“Now, utilities will have a complete data management solution that can support automation of business processes and present the information for enhanced business decision-making.”

Tammy Zucco, area vice president of the America’s indirect sales at Itron, adds that the company is committed to collaborating with industry players like Utilismart to better equip small-sized utilities with detailed analytics on their energy consumption.

“The combination of Itron’s electric cellular meters with Utilismart’s platform presents utilities with options to use this technology, especially for those who have fewer AMI metering endpoints.”