LIBERTY LAKE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Itron Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI) announced today that it has won a smart
metering contract with Italy's leading gas supplier, Italgas. Over the
next two years, Itron will deliver and install an end-to-end solution
composed of electronic gas volume converters and GPRS two-way
communication devices for an estimated 30,000 existing commercial and
industrial (C&I) gas meters. In cooperation with Capgemini Itron will
also provide associated managed services including meter reading and
maintenance.
According to the Italian Smart Meter Directives (AEEG 155/08), Italgas
is gradually upgrading its installed metering base in order to provide
improved metering through gas converters and by introducing
remotely-read hourly readings.
By meeting these requirements, Italgas will also be taking the
opportunity to adopt the most advanced metering systems, further
improving its services.
Itron products fully comply with the Italian Regulatory communication
protocol, tariff and specific metering database requirements. In
addition, the Itron solution provides interoperability using the DLMS
Cosem* protocol and data model, resulting in the certification of the
metering system to the latest standards.
The end-to-end solution—from installation to the transmission of meter
data to Italgas—will be performed with software tools designed
specifically for this rollout, including an adaptation of Itron's meter
data collection software. Device installation and maintenance will be
managed by Itron's existing field services network, which will be
extended to cover this large deployment across Italy.
Marcel Regnier, senior vice president and COO, Itron International,
said: "We are proud to be part of yet another step forward in rolling
out smart metering across Europe. In addition to helping Italgas meet
statutory requirements, this solution will also improve their customer
service. In partnering with Italgas, Itron is once again demonstrating
the capabilities of our end-to-end solutions in today's complex
market—not only in metering, but also in managed services."
Itron will work closely with its preferred partners for the associated
managed services. Capgemini will manage the reading and sending of data
to Italgas, including a dedicated Help Desk Service. The communication
services will be administered by Vodafone, who will provide innovative
network management tools via GPRS.
Bertrand Barthelemy, head of Managed Business Services, Capgemini,
commented: "Capgemini is very happy to launch with Itron this innovative
service on the gas market for Italgas. Our main goal is to deliver a
range of services based on an operational standard solution platform
that is easily operated under a Managed Business Services mode or
quickly integrated, partially or integrally, in a customer information
system. We are proud to offer a secure data collection platform to
Italgas."
"Smart metering is a key growth area for M2M technology and its accurate
capture and delivery of data allows utility companies to run their
businesses both efficiently and effectively," added Erik Brenneis,
Global Head of M2M, Vodafone. "Vodafone's reliable and high-performance
networks and management tools will help to deliver services that meet
new EU regulations as well as enhance the customer's experience."
*DLMS Cosem: Automatic meter reading, or more generally demand side
management, needs universal definitions, needs communication standards.
DLMS/COSEM is the common language so that the partners can understand
each other. www.dlms.com
About Itron:
At Itron, we're dedicated to delivering end-to-end smart grid and smart
distribution solutions to electric, gas and water utilities around the
globe. Our company is the world's leading provider of smart metering,
data collection and utility software systems, with nearly 8,000
utilities worldwide relying on our technology to optimize the delivery
and use of energy and water. Our offerings include electricity, gas,
water and heat meters; network communication technology; collection
systems and related software applications; and professional services. To
realize your smarter energy and water future, start here: www.itron.com.
About Italgas:
Italgas is the leading Italian Gas Distribution player. Leader on the
Italian market, carries out its activities in over 1,400 contracted
municipalities and manages a network of over 50,000 km and 5.8 million
active meters. Since 2009, the company is controlled 100% by Snam Rete
Gas S.p.A, leader in Europe in terms of regulatory asset base (RAB) and
listed on Italian Stock Exchange.
Itron International Communications Director
Isabelle Sevegrand, +33
5 49 62 70 44
isabelle.sevegrand@itron.com
Source: Itron Inc.
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