**Liberty Lake, Washington**: Itron, alongside Schneider Electric and Microsoft, is launching a collaboration to improve utility grid visibility and control, addressing challenges in energy management through advanced analytics and data integration technologies, with solutions expected by the end of 2025.
Itron, Inc., a leader in grid edge intelligence based in Liberty Lake, Washington, has announced an expanded collaboration with Schneider Electric and Microsoft to develop a comprehensive solution aimed at enhancing utility grid visibility and control. The initiative seeks to address increasing challenges faced by utilities in managing the digital transformation of energy management and automation.
This collaboration leverages Itron’s distributed intelligence technology to facilitate real-time data integration between the partners’ systems. The anticipated outcome is improved reliability of the electric grid through the use of advanced analytics, which would enable utilities to enhance their distribution system efficiency and better respond to unplanned outages. Key features of this partnership include the introduction of a non-wires solution, particularly useful during a time of significant infrastructure constraints, with lead times for essential components like transformers reaching up to two years.
Under this arrangement, Itron’s Grid Edge Intelligence solutions will work alongside Schneider Electric’s Digital Grid solutions and Microsoft’s data and AI technology. The goal is to achieve a seamless flow of data that enhances visibility into bottlenecks within the distribution grid. This will involve data transmission from Itron’s smart meters, which will relay real-time insights from service transformers and distributed energy resources (DERs), into Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS).
The undertaking is intended to modernise utility operations by providing utilities with valuable insights, enabling them to make informed decisions based on near real-time measurements. Don Reeves, Itron’s Senior Vice President of Outcomes, remarked, “Historically, utilities have had little visibility into the distribution grid below the substation and, to date, have relied on models and assumptions that are outdated.” This new approach aims to refine these models through improved observability of grid dynamics, reaching all the way to customer premises.
Additionally, the collaboration aims to unlock several new use cases. These include enhanced transformer-to-meter mapping, improved load flow accuracy, optimized voltage management, and local DER management for better capital planning.
Matt Schnugg, Chief Product Officer at Schneider Electric, emphasised the urgency of providing utilities with timely insights into bottlenecks within the distribution grid, especially given the long lead times for critical infrastructure components. Darryl Willis, Corporate Vice President for Energy & Resources Industry at Microsoft, echoed this sentiment, stating that “collaboration is key to addressing complex global energy challenges and creating the grid of the future.”
The integrated solution is expected to be available in North America by the end of 2025, coinciding with the company’s participation in DISTRIBUTECH 2025, which will take place from March 25 to 27 in Itron’s booth. This development is indicative of ongoing efforts to modernise and adapt utility operations to meet increasing demands and emerging complexities in energy supply and management.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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