A truly reliable and resilient grid requires visibility and control of “the edge,” or the various distributed energy resources (DERs) that sit behind the meter–like solar panels, electric vehicle (EV) batteries, smart thermostats and more. Synonymous with achieving this type of edge-device management capability is the concept of recognizing the importance of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) data in grid orchestration. As a result, GE Vernova and Itron are working together to provide utilities with faster, easier access to AMI data in order to enhance visibility, engage consumers and manage grid assets. 

A Closer Look at the Grid Edge Data Available with Next Generation AMI
An AMI system consists of some combination of the following:

• Smart meters that collect and store energy usage data;
• Home gateway devices that connect to appliances and systems throughout the home;
• A communication network that facilitates data transmission between the utility and the consumer, connecting all AMI components; and
• Meter Data Management Systems (MDMS) that store the data that the metering infrastructure generates and transmits.

While simply accessing AMI data is common for utilities, collecting that data and transforming it into actionable insights is no small undertaking. A more effective approach to accessing and utilizing data involves engaging with a solutions provider that specializes in grid edge data collection and analysis, such as Itron.

Harnessing the Power of Grid Edge Data
Itron and GE Vernova’s collaboration will enable GE Vernova’s utility and grid software customers to access their network’s AMI data through Itron. By integrating Itron’s Grid Edge Intelligence solutions with GE Vernova’s GridOS Data Fabric, the world’s first grid-specific data fabric, utilities can discover, govern and utilize data across an increasingly complex and distributed energy network. From there, utilities can feed the grid edge data into GE Vernova’s GridOS DERMS, Smallworld Geo Network Management, and/or Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) on a minute-by-minute basis or up to 20 times an hour. This injection of AMI data helps utilities better understand and visualize the factors influencing load and reliability, empowering them to proactively make decisions that drive operational excellence.

Utilities that harness AMI data can access a wealth of insights into energy usage patterns. With the right solutions, these insights can be leveraged to unlock numerous benefits, including:

• More accurate and effective Volt/VAR control and load forecasting, in support of ADMS;
• Improved network model accuracy and completeness through measurement-driven mapping. This ensures better grid optimization, more effective planning and simulations and more efficient business processes;
• Increased resilience to severe weather events, as visibility to grid edge data greatly improves outage management and restoration times;
• Better operations and congestion management and peak times through access to real-time transformer data;
• Enhanced DERMS dispatch operations, real-time validation and easier overall DER management thanks to more open access to Itron-connected DERs;
• Proactive and real-time decision making, enabling utilities to make better-informed grid management decisions in the moment, or even before issues arise;
• An optimal customer experience thanks to improved grid reliability stemming from proactive grid orchestration.

AMI data has never been more vital to utility operations. Through GE Vernova and Itron’s collaboration, utilities can more easily turn raw data into actionable intelligence, driving smarter energy management and creating more resilient, reliable grids.