Cities and utilities around the globe continue to face challenges related to climate disruption, decarbonization, consumer expectations, aging infrastructure, cybersecurity, the energy requirements of accelerating adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and more. At this year’s Itron Inspire, the Knowledge Conference exhibition hall was teaming with a variety of Itron and partner solutions to both address these challenges and turn them into opportunities. Although we can’t foresee everything the future holds, we do know what cities and utilities are up against today and we understand the complexities that come with modernizing critical infrastructure. Itron Inspire may be over, but the intelligence and possibilities continue.

Here are just a few of the innovative solutions we showcased at Itron Inspire 2022.

Empowering Utilities with Intelligence at the Edge

The accelerating proliferation of both EVs and DERs will continue to have a significant impact on overall grid operations – especially the low-voltage distribution system. Although they can play a significant role in mitigating global climate disruption, their impact on the reliability of the electricity distribution grid is substantial. During Itron Inspire, we showcased how utilities and cities can combine our distributed intelligence (DI) platform—which leverages an industrial IoT (IIoT) network, smart grid sensors and edge computing—with our comprehensive portfolio of grid management solutions to monitor and control the low-voltage distribution system and maintain grid reliability, resiliency and efficiency. Learn more about intelligence that empowers here.

Enabling the EV Transition

As cities and organizations start to transition their gas-powered vehicles to more eco-friendly options, utilities are considering the infrastructure they need to have in place to ensure the power grid can keep up with the spikes in energy demand. That’s why we showcased Itron’s EV Charging Optimizer, which provides EV fleet planning and charging management system programs using SaaS platforms and advisory services to conduct feasibility studies for electrifying as well as planning tools for deploying a fleet electrification program. Key to these services is a foundational plan which helps with infrastructure planning and deployment, to manage operations and maximize investments. Our solution is comprehensive, starting with  a strong planning approach to address concerns ranging from site selection to battery sizing, charging schedules, route energy requirements and real-time analytics. Learn more about how to accelerate EV adoption through Fleet planning management here.

Below, the Itron team is standing next to the Ford F150 Lighting electric truck that was on display in the Knowledge Center exhibit hall. When the power went out due to Hurricane Ian right after Itron Inspire, the Knowledge Conference, where our solutions were exhibited, went dark. The resourceful Itron team implemented true vehicle-to-grid energy transfer by using the Ford F150 Lighting electric truck to power the smart streetlights that were used as demos on the tradeshow floor. The streetlight illumination made it safe for the team to continue packing up the conference. Although it wasn’t the original use case that the team had in mind, it's a perfect testament to how EVs can help with grid reliability in times of severe weather. 

Integrating Distributed Energy Resources

With the rapid integration of renewable and distributed energy technologies onto the grid, cities and utilities are challenged with maintaining power quality, balancing supply and demand and ensuring adequate distribution capacity. To address this, we showcased Itron’s DER Optimizer solution, built upon the foundation of Itron’s IntelliSOURCE® distributed energy resource management system (DERMS). DER Optimizer’s real-time analytics and optimization engine enables utilities to expand their traditional demand response programs to not only include a wide range of DERs, including EVs, smart inverters, battery storage systems and other flexible loads, but also a wide range of DER-based grid services, including economic dispatch, non-wires alternatives, local grid balancing and microgrid use cases. Learn more about turning behind-the-meter DERs into grid assets here.

Creating Connected Smart Cities

As cities continue to evolve, so do the requirements of street lighting and city applications. To address real challenges, cities are building on modern multi-purpose IIoT networks formed from smart devices such as streetlights or smart meters. Comprised of smart streetlight controls, an intelligently connected IIoT network, Itron’s Streetlight.Vision Central Management System, asset management software and additional smart sensors, Itron’s intelligent streetlight solution is empowering communities around the world with access to real-time visibility and data to reduce energy waste, streamline operations and keep communities bright and safe. Learn more about how utilities can build on a smart streetlight platform to improve services and meet sustainability goals with Itron’s smart city solutions here.

Intelligent Connectivity with Cellular IoT

Utilities’ needs and challenges are as diverse as the service areas and demographics they serve. As utilities and cities embark on their digital transformation strategies, they face increasingly complex decisions on where, when and how to deploy new network technologies. Itron has long been a leader and expert in deploying utility-grade connectivity, including cellular. Now, new improvements in performance and battery life have made next-generation cellular an important transport method for many use cases in water, gas and electric. At Itron Inspire, we showcased Itron’s cellular technologies that are vital to providing flexible communications solutions that are adding capacity at the edge to support a broader range of use cases. Learn more about how utilities are leveraging Itron’s reliable and cost-effective cellular solutions here.

Connecting Every Drop

We know that water is the most precious resource of all and how important it is to make every drop count. Now more than ever, utilities need modern water solutions for an industry in transition. Our smart devices and analytics solutions shown at Itron Inspire can help utilities and consumers gain actionable understanding of water consumption, protect revenue with leak detection and bring intelligence to the very edge of the water distribution network. Learn more about how our modern water solutions enable utilities to address water scarcity challenges here.

Gas Modernization & Safety

Gas utilities around the world are adapting and implementing technologies that are transforming their one-way gas distribution systems to two-way, interactive networks. At Itron Inspire, we showcased our latest innovations in gas technology, including the award-winning Intelis ultrasonic gas meter and the Cellular 500G Module. As decarbonization and new technologies such as hydrogen integration continue to change the gas utility landscape, we remain committed to partnering with our customers to improve safety, reliability and services to consumers. Learn more here.

As we reflect on Itron Inspire 2022, we hope you’ve gained new perspectives and inspiration about how we can all be better prepared for tomorrow and work together to create a more resourceful world. On-demand sessions are available here until Nov. 18. See you next year for Itron Inspire 2023, Oct. 22-29 at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country in San Antonio, TX. Stay tuned as we announce our call for abstracts soon!