{"id":5000,"date":"2025-03-25T13:34:36","date_gmt":"2025-03-25T14:34:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mywatchseries.me\/?p=5000"},"modified":"2025-03-25T15:53:29","modified_gmt":"2025-03-25T15:53:29","slug":"itron-and-schneider-electric-collaborate-to-tackle-grid-complexity-enable-visibility-and-control-at-the-grid-edge-integrating-microsoft-solutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/mywatchseries.me\/index.php\/2025\/03\/25\/itron-and-schneider-electric-collaborate-to-tackle-grid-complexity-enable-visibility-and-control-at-the-grid-edge-integrating-microsoft-solutions\/","title":{"rendered":"Itron and Schneider Electric Collaborate to Tackle Grid Complexity, Enable Visibility and Control at the Grid Edge, Integrating Microsoft Solutions"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Collaboration to Extend Grid Edge Intelligence to the Utility Control Center<\/b>LIBERTY LAKE, Wash. and BOSTON \u2013 Itron, Inc.<\/a>\u00a0(NASDAQ: ITRI), a leader in grid edge intelligence, and\u00a0Schneider Electric<\/a>, a leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation,\u00a0are expanding\u00a0their<\/a>\u00a0collaboration with\u00a0Microsoft<\/a>\u00a0to deliver a\u00a0comprehensive Grid Edge Intelligence solution that addresses utility grid visibility and control challenges<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This collaboration takes advantage of Itron\u2019s distributed intelligence technology, accelerating the path to bring grid edge intelligence to the utility control center. This will improve grid reliability by establishing high-bandwidth, real-time and scalable data integration between the companies\u2019 systems and enable the use of AI and big data analytics. For utilities, this means unlocking a range of new use cases that improve overall efficiency of the distribution system, its reliability and service restoration during unplanned events. These analytics are also a strong foundation to incorporate distributed energy resources (DERs) to benefit the same.<\/p>\n

This collaboration of industry leaders in grid edge intelligence, energy management, automation, AI, data, and analytics will further enable utilities to manage the electric distribution grid with a myriad of use cases that require central control system applications to share enormous amounts of data with low latency. The companies are bringing to market a non-wires solution that addresses utility challenges during a critical period of infrastructure constraints where lead times for components like transformers are upwards of one to two years. With this non-wires solution, utilities can optimize the grid edge and central control system,\u00a0enhancing grid capacity of utilities\u2019 existing infrastructure by as much as 20%, while maintaining grid asset loading within current design limits.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The collaboration will integrate Itron\u2019s\u00a0Grid Edge Intelligence solutions, Schneider Electric\u2019s\u00a0Digital Grid solutions, and Microsoft data and AI solutions to facilitate seamless data flow and provide visibility into distribution grid bottlenecks. With the combined solution, Itron\u2019s distributed-intelligence (DI)-enabled meters send real-time insights from behind the service transformer, as well as from individual DERs, to Schneider Electric\u2019s EcoStruxure ADMS, which enable seamless operation of distribution power system. This data exchange is housed in Microsoft\u2019s unified AI-powered SaaS platform that brings together data and analytics into a single experience, which allows the utility to dramatically improve system visibility for both load and voltage conditions. It also provides a mechanism to reliably manage behind-the-meter DERs, such as EV charging equipment, without relying on the customer\u2019s broadband connection.<\/p>\n

Through this collaboration, the companies are accelerating use case adoption and integrating more data through distributed intelligence to enable new grid edge use cases, including:<\/p>\n

1)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Transformer-to-Meter Mapping<\/strong>\u00a0enables utilities to map which meters are wired to each service transformer. Accurate mapping helps utilities manage distribution system load more effectively, minimizing the degradation of transformers and ensuring optimal performance and grid reliability for the planned lifetime of the asset.<\/p>\n

2)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0State Estimation \/ Load Flow Accuracy Improvement<\/strong>\u00a0helps grid operators understand exactly when and where the power grid is under strain, providing time to make adjustments and prolong the life of existing infrastructure while simultaneously improving overall power quality for consumers.<\/p>\n

3)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Enhanced Volt-VAR Optimization<\/strong>\u00a0(VVO) reduces the amount of energy required to move electricity through the distribution grid. VVO is a process used to actively manage voltage levels and reactive power on distribution circuits to reduce energy losses and improve efficiency and reliability.<\/p>\n

4)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Local DER Groups for Forecast and Management<\/strong>\u00a0allow utilities to build more accurate planning models to increase the efficiency of their future capital spending and reprioritize existing spend for infrastructure projects that are higher priority than historical planning methods.<\/p>\n

\u201cElectricity demand is rapidly increasing due to the electrification of transportation, heating and more. By 2050, the\u00a0U.S.\u00a0grid\u2019s capacity will have nearly doubled compared to 2022, according to the\u00a0U.S.\u00a0Energy Information Administration<\/a>, in\u00a0Canada, grid capacity is\u00a0projected<\/a>\u00a0to reach 226 GW by 2050. This coupled with the increased adoption of DERs\u2014like rooftop solar, battery energy storage, electric vehicles, and microgrids\u2014is adding immense complexity to the electric grid,\u201d\u00a0said\u00a0Don Reeves, Itron\u2019s senior vice president of Outcomes.\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cHistorically, utilities have had little visibility into the distribution grid below the substation and, to date, have relied on models and assumptions that are outdated, potentially leading to suboptimized power and load assumptions. With this collaboration, utilities can modernize these models with near real-time measurements, extending the observability of system loading and performance all the way to the customer premise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cToday\u2019s changing energy landscape and evolving complexity of the energy value chain requires new ways to optimize supply and demand. Itron\u2019s solutions deliver scalable real-time insight at the grid-edge and by expanding our collaboration to include Microsoft, we are furthering our commitment to digitizing, optimizing and automating utility operations for grid flexibility, resiliency and risk mitigation,\u201d said\u00a0Matt Schnugg, CPO<\/strong>\u00a0at Schneider Electric.\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cImproving insights and decision-making for utilities is urgent as utilities experience long lead times on transformers and other critical infrastructure components. Gaining a better understanding of bottlenecks in the distribution grid is critical.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCollaboration is key to addressing complex global energy challenges and creating the grid of the future. Working with\u00a0Itron\u00a0and Schneider Electric, we are enabling utilities to manage, interpret, and act on data-powered insights from the edge to the cloud. Together, we are broadening the reach of data integration and industry-specific AI, helping utilities drive better business outcomes,\u201d said\u00a0Darryl Willis, Corporate Vice President, Energy & Resources Industry at Microsoft.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Availability<\/strong><\/p>\n

The solution will initially be available in\u00a0North America\u00a0by the end of 2025.<\/p>\n

Learn More at DISTRIBUTECH 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n

To learn more, visit Itron at DISTRIBUTECH 2025,\u00a0March 25-27, in Itron booth #3008.<\/p>\n

About Itron<\/strong><\/p>\n

Itron is a proven global leader in energy, water, smart city, IIoT and intelligent infrastructure services. For utilities, cities and society, we build innovative systems, create new efficiencies, connect communities, encourage conservation and increase resourcefulness. By safeguarding our invaluable natural resources today and tomorrow, we improve the quality of life for people around the world. Join us:\u00a0www.itron.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Itron\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0and the Itron Logo are registered trademarks of\u00a0Itron, Inc\u00a0in\u00a0the United States\u00a0and other countries and regions. All third-party trademarks are property of their respective owners and any usage herein does not suggest or imply any relationship between Itron and the third party unless expressly stated.<\/p>\n

About Schneider Electric<\/strong><\/p>\n

Schneider\u2019s purpose is to\u00a0empower all to make the most of our energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability<\/strong>\u00a0for all. We call this\u00a0Life Is On<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Our mission is to be your\u00a0digital partner for Sustainability and Efficiency<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

We drive digital transformation by integrating world-leading process and energy technologies, end-point to cloud connecting products, controls, software and services, across the entire lifecycle, enabling integrated company management, for homes, buildings, data centers, infrastructure and industries.<\/p>\n

We are the\u00a0most local of global companies<\/strong>. We are advocates of open standards and partnership ecosystems that are passionate about our shared\u00a0Meaningful Purpose, Inclusive and Empowered<\/strong>\u00a0values.\u00a0www.se.com<\/a><\/p>\n

For additional information, contact:<\/p>\n

Itron, Inc.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alison Mallahan
\nSenior Manager, Corporate Communications
\n509-891-3802
\nPR@Itron.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Paul Vincent
\nVice President,\u00a0Investor Relations
\n512-560-1172
\nInvestors@itron.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Itron, Inc.<\/strong><\/p>\n