Greentech Lead America: Itron, a provider of smart metering solutions, has formed partnership with global chipset maker Qualcomm, to deliver next-generation smart energy platform using Qualcomm’s Gobi MDM8x15 chipset.
The collaboration is significant for both companies. The new Itron smart meters will bring greater choices to utility customers deploying smart metering solutions and further strengthen Itron’s integrated cellular offerings.
Itron’s recent acquisition of SmartSynch  has led the company to focus more on 3G cellular technology for smart grid deployments.
“Now, we have taken the next logical step in working strategically with Qualcomm Technologies so that we can stay at the forefront of cellular developments, utilize the smartphone ecosystem and its capabilities and scale for the smart grid. It also helps ensure that Itron continues to offer our customers a broad portfolio of integrated communication options,” said Russ Vanos, senior vice president of strategy and business development at Itron.
The new platform will combine Itron’s OpenWay smart meters with Qualcomm Technologies’ Gobi MDM8x15 multi-mode modem and integrated application processor, enabling a streamlined and cost-optimized solution.
The cellular solution will enable utilities to strategically deploy their smart grid devices regardless of their service territory geography – as a standalone solution, for in-fill coverage gaps or in combination with other access technologies. Cellular allows utilities to strategically and rapidly deploy meters, grid devices and sensors on commercially available cellular IP networks.
With support for multiple 3G standards (UMTS/HSPA or CDMA2000), extensibility to 4G-LTE and backwards compatibility with 2G technologies, this solution will have a global footprint.
The smart grid solution enable emerging smart energy applications that require greater amounts of granular data such as distribution automation, demand response, distributed generation, pre-paid metering, electric vehicle integration and Volt/Var monitoring.
“We are planning to introduce to the smart energy space similar technologies that we have brought to today’s leading mobile and computing devices, helping to extend our vision for the ‘Internet of Everything,’” said Kanwalinder Singh, senior vice president of business development, Qualcomm Technologies.