Itron, a provider of smart metering solutions for power and water utilities, in partnership with Tantalus, a provider of real-time smart grid communications, is offering a joint solution to Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (VIWAPA).
Under this partnership, the companies will deploy an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) communications network and Itron advanced meters for VIWAPA’s more than 55,000 electric customers throughout the islands of Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas, the company said.
The project will utilize the multiple communications technologies through the fully integrated Tantalus Utility Network (TUNet) platform with Itron AMI-ready meters, which will facilitate the use of advanced applications such as automated metering, remote service disconnect/reconnect, revenue protection, and demand management.
VIWAPA will utilize the newly released TUNet-enabled CENTRON II electric meters for their deployment.
Niel Vanterpool, AMI project lead for VIWAPA, said, “One of the biggest advantages of the Itron-Tantalus solution was that it is designed to cost effectively leverage as much existing infrastructure as possible, including fiber and microwave backhaul technology, over extremely rugged terrain.”
The project is regarded as an integral component of VIWAPA’s long-range capital improvement initiatives to address challenges in improving electrical operational efficiency, modernizing network infrastructure, managing demand costs, and improving revenue protection.
The utility will initially utilize high return TUNet applications such as real-time meter reading, billing reconciliation, and tamper/theft detection. Integrations with systems such as GIS, OMS, and MDM will support the implementation of future applications such as in-home consumer energy management tools and demand management.
Mike Julian, VP of Sales for Tantalus, said, “The Itron-Tantalus solution is perfectly suited to meet the formidable challenge of uniting AMI communications over three separate islands and providing an unmatched suite of cost-saving energy efficiency applications for both the utility and the consumer.”
VIWAPA’s deployment is the first Caribbean joint project between Tantalus and Itron since the two companies announced an alliance in late 2011.