Xcel Energy deploys 2 million Itron smart meters

Xcel Energy has deployed some 2 million Gen5 Riva distributed intelligence (DI)-enabled electric smart meters, developed by Itron, Inc.

The meters are a key component of Itron’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and industrial IoT (IIoT) network solution. Itron’s solution, including the DI-enabled smart meters, helps energy providers achieve their carbon reduction goals in multiple ways, including streamlining field operations and reducing truck rolls.

Each meter is connected to Itron’s Gen5 IIoT network and is embedded with capabilities that provide real-time visibility and data that helps energy providers control and manage the grid more accurately. The multi-application capabilities of the IIoT network paired with DI will allow energy providers to integrate additional applications from Itron and partners as their needs evolve.

Xcel Energy is using DI-enabled smart meters to share information about electricity usage with consumers in near real time. This will help them to make more informed decisions about their energy consumption. Further, it could help the company achieve its carbon reduction goals while helping customers decrease their energy costs. Also, Xcel Energy will use the smart meters to identify outages faster, improving outage response times and enhancing the ability to support customer outage notification and resolution.

“Xcel Energy’s vision is to deliver carbon-free electricity by 2050 across the states we serve, and energy efficiency is a key part of the clean energy transition. We’re excited to install smart meters for our customers, giving them more insight and control over their energy use,” Michael Lamb, Xcel Energy senior vice president, distribution and gas, said. “Technology is advancing in every area of our lives, and the advanced grid – which smart meters play a role in – will allow us to better serve our customers into the future.”

This deployment is an important step in Minneapolis -based Xcel Energy’s efforts to provide clean, reliable energy to its nearly 3.7 million customers across eight states.

“Itron’s smart meters offer unparalleled accuracy, reliability, and next-generation grid edge intelligence. Coupled with a robust network and distributed intelligence, Xcel Energy can take advantage of these powerful capabilities to address the business needs of today, but more importantly, of the future, as these needs continue to evolve. Our solutions are truly enabling a new approach to managing the low voltage grid and transforming the way utilities service their customers,” John Marcolini, senior vice president of Network Solutions at Itron, said.