Greentech Lead America: Itron, provider of energy and water resource
management solutions, announced that DTE Energy, a Detroit-based
diversified energy company, has installed 800,000 Itron endpoints in its
Southeastern Michigan service area to date.
The installation of the smart meters is the part of DTE
Energy’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project, which is a key
component of the utility’s SmartCurrents initiative. SmartCurrents aims to
modernize DTE Energy’s electric grid, improve distribution system reliability and
efficiency, as well as lower energy delivery costs and empower electric
customers with more information about their power usage.
The advanced Itron
meters allow DTE Energy to get actual meter readings and also allow
the utility to quickly locate and reduce the length of power outages, as well
as remotely connect and disconnect service for faster response to customers.
The deployment of Itron smart meters enable customers to
track, manage and control their energy usage.
“With Itron’s next-generation utility technology,
DTE Energy is modernizing our grid and lowering the cost of energy delivery to
our customers,” said Bob Sitkauskas, manager of AMI, Major Enterprise
Projects at DTE Energy.
In total, DTE Energy’s AMI project installed over 3
million electric and gas meters in Michigan homes and businesses.
“Itron’s smart meters are a key component of DTE Energy’s
smart grid project, enabling the utility to create a more reliable, efficient
grid and informed energy users of the future. We are honored to be a part of
the project’s momentum and to help create a smarter future for DTE Energy’s
customers,” said Mark de Vere White, senior vice president of Itron Energy
Group in North America.
Itron signs $21 million smart grid deal with FortisBC
Recently, Itron entered into an agreement with FortisBC,
an integrated energy solutions provider, to provide its advanced metering,
network communications and software systems to support the utility’s Advanced
Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project.