Itron Inc. (NASDAQ:ITRI), the world´s leading provider of metering, data collection and utility software solutions, announced today that its subsidiary, Actaris, has been chosen by ERDF, the distribution subsidiary of Electricité de France (EDF), as part of a consortium for their automated meter management (AMM) project. The consortium, led by the systems integrator Atos Origin, will participate in one of the largest pilot projects in Europe that will initially install 300,000 smart meters.
Actaris will supply 100,000 power line carrier (PLC) smart meters and 3,500 GPRS concentrators. This system allows the transmission and receipt of up–to–date information that will help manage energy consumption and will provide better service to the end–users through remote meter reading, billing based on actual consumption, flexible tariff offers and improved network management. The communication protocol via PLC will ensure inter–operability between the meters installed in the field, the concentrators synchronized by the cellular system and ERDF´s information system.
"Actaris has the advanced technology available that will allow us to deliver the best smart metering solution to ERDF," said Marcel Regnier, Actaris COO and Sr. VP for Itron. "We are extremely pleased and excited that ERDF has selected Actaris to be a key player in the most significant AMM project in the world."
The total project will encompass the replacement of 35 million EDF meters with smart meters and represents a significant technological leap driven by the policy for the preservation of energy resources. The pilot phase involves the deployment of 300,000 meters and 7,000 concentrators in the regions of Tours and Lyon in 2010. Actaris is well positioned for the second deployment phase which will replace all 35 million meters by 2017.
"As the premier metering solutions provider to ERDF, with products designed and manufactured in Chasseneuil du Poitou, France, Actaris is proud to have been selected for this strategic AMM project," said Malcolm Unsworth, Itron president and COO. "The choice of Actaris confirms the trusted relationship that we have had for many years with the EDF group and also shows the strength of Actaris´ position in smart metering technologies worldwide."
About Itron:
Itron Inc. is a leading technology provider to the global energy and water industries. Itron Inc. consists of Itron in North America and Actaris outside of North America. Our company is the world´s leading provider of metering, data collection and utility software solutions, with nearly 8,000 utilities worldwide relying on our technology to optimize the delivery and use of energy and water. Our products include electricity, gas, water and heat meters, data collection and communication systems, including automated meter reading (AMR) and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI); meter data management and related software applications; as well as project management, installation, and consulting services. To know more, start here: www.itron.com.
