Release Details

LIBERTY LAKE, Wash., Mar 24, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Elster, Trilliant and Itron Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI) announced today that they have joined forces in support of C12.22, the newly published standard from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The open standard is fundamental to advanced metering, allowing for interoperability between smart devices and networks.

In a joint statement Elster, Trilliant and Itron said, "Interoperability allows utilities to utilize multiple communication networks or change communications technologies without touching the meter. In this way, we believe that open standards in general, and ANSI C12.22 in particular, help protect the investment that utilities, ratepayers and shareholders make in advanced metering."

The ANSI C12.22 open standard defines how to transmit standardized tables of meter data across wired or wireless networks using various transports such as IP. This open standard can play a vital role in unifying the information collected from advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) projects and smart grid initiatives while allowing utilities to select the communication technologies that make the most sense for their budget, objectives and service territory including:

• Itron's AMI offering, OpenWay^(R) by Itron, and its components including the OpenWay CENTRON^(R) meter, OpenWay Collection Engine and OpenWay Cell Relay
• Elster's EnergyAxis^(R) AMI System and smart metering systems and solutions
• SecureMesh by Trilliant^(R)

These products employ the ANSI C12.22 standard to support communications within their networks and with AMI-enabled meters, in-home displays, programmable communicating thermostats, load control switches, and other devices to and from the headend.

The contents and scope of ANSI C12.22 may be viewed, or a hardcopy or electronic copy purchased for $160, by visiting NEMA's website at http://www.nema.org/stds/c12-22.cfm, or by contacting IHS at 800-854-7179 (within the U.S.), 303-397-7956 (international), 303-397-2740 (fax), or on the Web at global.ihs.com.

About Itron:

Itron Inc. is a leading technology provider to the global energy and water industries. Itron Inc. consists of Itron in North America and Actaris outside of North America. Our company is the world's leading provider of metering, data collection and utility software solutions, with nearly 8,000 utilities worldwide relying on our technology to optimize the delivery and use of energy and water. Our products include electricity, gas and water meters; data collection and communication systems, including automated meter reading (AMR) and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI); meter data management and related software applications; as well as project management, installation, and consulting services. To know more, start here: www.itron.com.

About Elster:

Elster, a global leader in smart metering and smart grid solutions has delivered over 2 million smart metering devices worldwide with systems located in North America, Europe, Central America, Australia, New Zealand and the Caribbean. Elster smart metering system solutions provide utilities with energy conservation capabilities via demand response programs, smart grid applications, and operational efficiencies resulting in significant value creation across the utility enterprise. Elster has over 7,500 staff and operates globally in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Asia. www.elster.com.

About Trilliant Incorporated:

Trilliant Incorporated provides hardware, software and service solutions that deliver on the promise of Advanced Metering and Smart Grid to utilities and their customers including improved energy efficiency, grid reliability, lower operating cost, and integration of renewable energy resources. Since its original founding in 1985, Trilliant has been a leading innovator in the delivery and implementation of energy management systems, including advanced utility wireless data collection for residential and commercial customers, demand response, time-of-use billing, and critical peak pricing initiatives. Trilliant currently has more than 200 utility customers including Hydro One, the single-largest Smart Grid implementation in North America. For more information please visit www.trilliantinc.com.

SOURCE: Itron Inc.

Itron Inc.
Deloris Duquette, 509-891-3523
Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
deloris.duquette@itron.com
or
Kim Papich, 509-891-3590
Communications and Marketing
kim.papich@itron.com
or
Elster
Gabrielle Puccio, 919-250-5413
Director, Corporate Communications
gabrielle.puccio@us.elster.com
or
For Trilliant:
Element Public Relations
Tim Smith, 415-350-3019
tsmith@elementpr.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009