Consumers Energy Modernizes Gas Distribution System with Itron Solutions and Services
Itron technology enhances customer service and reliability as part of
Smart Energy® program
Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ:ITRI), a world-leading technology and services
company dedicated to the resourceful use of energy and water, announced
today that Consumers Energy, provider of natural gas and electricity to
6.6 million Michigan residents, has expanded its contract to include
modernization of the company’s gas distribution system by using
communicating digital meter technology. The contract builds upon Itron’s
existing work with Consumers Energy to help modernize the utility’s
electric system with Itron’s OpenWay® smart grid solution
using cellular communications. Itron’s smart grid and smart gas
solutions are key components of Consumers Energy’s Smart Energy program,
which aims to improve customer service and energy service reliability.
With Itron’s technology, Consumers Energy is able to enhance system
efficiency with more insights into system performance, increase billing
accuracy through the elimination of estimated bills and improve power
outage detection enabling power to be restored faster. The company is
providing customers with more energy-saving tools by means of a web
portal for tracking their electric usage. Online customer access to gas
usage information is also in future plans.
Consumers Energy will install more than 630,000 smart gas communication
modules where customers also receive electric service from the company.
Gas meters will communicate energy usage information to customer
electric meters, which will convey overall energy usage information to
Consumers Energy, eliminating the need for estimated reads for either
type of meter. The system enhances efficiency and billing accuracy.
Consumers Energy has already installed more than 800,000 communicating
digital meters as part of the Smart Energy program, with 1.1 million
Itron 4G LTE smart meters in the plans for the remainder of its
electricity territory. In addition, the contract includes a 20-year
maintenance agreement.
“Itron looks forward to expanding our work with Consumers Energy and
bringing the benefits of smarter technologies to the utility’s electric
customers who also receive natural gas service. With Itron’s smart gas
solution, Consumers Energy will be able to collect, deliver and manage
more granular and timely gas data, giving the utility and its customers
more insights than ever before,” said Carl Porter, president of Itron’s
Gas business line. “At Itron, we help our customers gain more value from
their systems to more efficiently and responsibly manage energy
resources. We are glad to have that opportunity at Consumers Energy,
helping create a more resourceful world.”
About Itron
Itron is a world-leading technology and services company dedicated to
the resourceful use of energy and water. We provide comprehensive
solutions that measure, manage and analyze energy and water. Our broad
product portfolio includes electricity, gas, water and thermal energy
measurement devices and control technology; communications systems;
software; as well as managed and consulting services. With thousands of
employees supporting nearly 8,000 customers in more than 100 countries,
Itron applies knowledge and technology to better manage energy and water
resources. Together, we can create a more resourceful world. Join us: www.itron.com.
Itron® is a registered trademark of Itron, Inc.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160126005434/en/
Copyright Business Wire 2016
Source: Business Wire
(January 26, 2016 - 8:45 AM EST)
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