Grid requirements are changing fast, and today’s electric cooperatives are being asked to deliver more value, manage an increasingly complex grid and provide more capabilities for their members. As a trusted, long-term partner to electric cooperatives, Itron delivers proven solutions that address these evolving challenges – leveraging broadband for advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) – as well as new solutions to manage the low-voltage network, such as applications for solar and electric vehicle (EV) integration.

We’re excited to be attending this year’s TechAdvantage on March 6-8, 2023, in Nashville, TN, to share more about Itron’s latest innovations in smart energy and communities. TechAdvantage is a one-of-a-kind event when co-op decision makers and more than 5,000 co-op leaders attend the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Annual Meeting, converging on the expo hall for the latest technology solutions.

Itron is committed to providing value to all of our utility partners regardless of where they are in the AMI/automation process. Stop by Itron booth 1223 at TechAdvantage to learn about the solutions and services we have available that support rural electric cooperatives along the journey to a smarter community:

- Tailored AMR and AMI solutions, like AMI Essentials, that reduce operational costs and improve member satisfaction.
- Distribution automation (DA) communications that leverage an AMI network to improve system reliability.
- Advanced network access points that leverage existing fiber investments to extend network coverage.
- Distributed energy resource management (DERM) systems to connect, analyze and manage distributed energy resources (DERs) and electric vehicles (EVs).
- Distributed intelligence (DI) in the meter that provides improved situational awareness and localized control at the grid edge.
- Intelligent connectivity which leverages the latest in cellular, fiber, RF mesh and more to form resilient, reliable, standards-based and high-speed networks that improve community services while helping meet sustainability goals.
- Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) and other innovative service solutions that keep upfront costs down.
- Easy smart lighting management and control for area lighting, streetlights, smart communities and more.
- Our full portfolio of intelligent devices, communications and networking technologies, data collection and management solutions and insightful analytic software to help improve grid visibility, - operational control and member satisfaction.

We are also excited to unveil the new Itron Fiber Mini Access Point (Fiber MiniAP), which leverages both fiber and RF mesh connectivity to connect a wide range of Itron endpoints for AMI, DA, low-voltage network management, smart lighting and more. As utilities take their next steps in automation and next-generation AMI, the Fiber MiniAP makes the possibility of achieving reliable, cost-effective and high-speed connectivity a reality for rural electric cooperatives.

With challenges on the rise such as consumer demand trends, the growing adoption of renewables and EV charging, extreme weather, focus on carbon emissions and population growth, it is imperative for utilities to address and invest in their aging infrastructure. The grid modernization process begins with AMI and smart meters as the key foundational elements. At this year’s TechAdvantage, we look forward to sharing more about how a reliable and robust next-generation AMI system can unlock advanced capabilities such as distributed intelligence, changing the game and helping cooperatives operationalize their data in new and valuable ways.

Addressing today’s energy challenges isn’t easy—but solving them isn’t insurmountable either. Equipped with the right intelligence, in the right places throughout the delivery system, together, we can explore every possibility and deploy the right solutions to help you succeed as our industry continues to transform. 

Learn more about how we partner with electric cooperatives at itron.com and connect with us in booth 1223 at TechAdvantage. See you in Nashville!