Greentech Lead America: Itron, a provider of smart metering technology for utilities, and Tantalus, a provider of smart grid communications, have been selected for an initial deployment of smart meters and AMI infrastructure for South American utility Guyana Power and Light (GP&L).
This project will be a part of the Sustainable Operations of the Energy Sector and Improve Quality of Service (GY-L1037) program funded by the Government of Guyan.
Tantalus and Itron were selected to supply electricity meters and complementing communications infrastructure based on the technical advantages and competitive value of the joint solution.
“As part of a competitive process, we found that the Tantalus/Itron partnership offered us the best overall package that provided us with a reliable, future-proof, cost-effective path to smart metering and other applications,” said Kumar Sharma, divisional director for Guyana Power and Light.
Guyana’s deployment is the first international joint project between Tantalus and Itron since the two companies announced an alliance in late 2011. The strategic alliance combines Itron’s SENTINELand CENTRON electricity meters as well as its electric, gas and water ERT modules with Tantalus’ comprehensive communications network, TUNet, the Tantalus Utility Network, to reach public power utilities in North and South America.
Uniting the capabilities of TUNet with Itron’s electricity meters has allowed the companies to offer a joint solution that accommodates smart metering, demand response and distribution automation for international markets such as Guyana.
“We’ve been strategic in our expansion into international markets that recognize the full range of possibilities that can be achieved from robust two-way communications networks and smart metering,” said Tantalus CEO Eric Murray. “Guyana Light and Power is leading the way in smart grid technology by building a network that anticipates the needs of tomorrow’s grid.”
“Itron’s highly adaptable technology is designed to help utilities around the world reliably manage energy and water. We’re pleased our proven measurement devices and Tantalus’ network will provide the foundation for Guyana Power and Light’s smart metering and grid modernization project,” said Lou Gust, Itron’s vice president of Sales and Marketing electricity in North America.