Companies offer combined solution to public power utilities to the Caribbean
LIBERTY LAKE, Wash., and RALEIGH, NC – March 5, 2014 – Itron Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI), a world-leading technology and services company dedicated to the resourceful use of energy and water, and Tantalus, a leading provider of real-time smart grid communications, announced today the U.S. Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (VIWAPA) has selected their joint solution for a full deployment of an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) communications network and Itron advanced meters for its more than 55,000 electric customers throughout the islands of Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas. This project, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), will leverage multiple communication technologies through the fully integrated TUNet® – Tantalus Utility Network – 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.
“Following an extensive technology review process, VIWAPA is pleased to announce that it has selected the Itron-Tantalus solution for our AMI network and smart metering deployment,” said Niel Vanterpool, AMI Project Lead for VIWAPA. “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.”
This project represents a key portion 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. VIWAPA will utilize the newly released TUNet-enabled CENTRON® II electric meters for their deployment.
“We are pleased to continue our work with our customer, VIWAPA, as they modernize their electricity infrastructure and transition to advanced metering,” said Lou Gust, Itron vice president of sales and marketing for electricity in North America. “In collaboration with Tantalus, we are helping VIWAPA more efficiently manage the delivery of electricity to its customers across multiple islands.”
“VIWAPA’s initiatives to improve its telecommunications and smart grid landscape while faced with non-traditional deployment challenges is admirable,” said Mike Julian, VP of Sales for Tantalus. “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. VIWAPA joins the rapidly growing domestic and international Itron-Tantalus customer base which includes utilities like Appalachian Electric Cooperative (AEC), Inland Power & Light (IPL) and Guyana Power & Light (GPL).
About Itron
Itron is a world-leading technology and services company dedicated to the resourceful use of energy and water. We provide comprehensive solutions that measure, manage and analyze energy and water. Our broad product portfolio includes electricity, gas, water and thermal energy measurement devices and control technology; communications systems; software; as well as managed and consulting services. With thousands of employees supporting nearly 8,000 customers in more than 100 countries, Itron applies knowledge and technology to better manage energy and water resources. Together, we can create a more resourceful world. Join us: www.itron.com.
About Tantalus
Tantalus provides two-way, real-time data communications networks to monitor and control electric, gas and water utilities. TUNet® – the Tantalus Utility Network – is an end-to-end WAN/LAN/HAN communications system that operates with 220 MHz RF, 900 MHz, and IP-based networks including Fiber, WiMAX and GPRS/cellular, either individually or in combination. TUNet’s patented and patents pending technologies are purpose built for the Smart Grid. The Tantalus network unites a utility’s applications, making advanced metering, outage management, power quality monitoring, load control, and distribution automation cost-effective and practical throughout both urban and rural service areas. For more information, please visit www.tantalus.com.
