Itron is launching Nexergy, a portfolio of five distinct ecosystem architectures that couples meters, communication technology, and software to meet specific business needs. The solution gives utilities a faster and more cost-effective approach to smart grid deployments.

Itron reports that with this new offering, it can “package its energy management portfolio to deliver customizable solutions that can support the ever increasing challenges of the smart grid, including demand response, revenue protection, renewable energy integration, consumer engagement, load control and many more.”

Itron’s ecosystem approach provides a range of choices for utilities, such as Nexergy P2P, providing direct point-to-point functionality; Nexergy PLC, an end-to-end PLC offering; Nexergy P2H, a consumer engagement focused ecosystem; Nexergy P2C, delivering advanced metering and telemetry capabilities; and Nexergy SPS, a solution focused on helping utilities protect their revenue.

Remy Brill, Itron vice president and managing director, EMEA Energy, says, “We listened to our customers and developed a holistic approach to solving their business challenges. Leveraging our experience and technology in an innovative way demonstrates our commitment to delivering tested, robust and standards-based solutions for the long-term. We believe we’ve developed the best approach to simplifying smart grid deployments all over Europe, Middle East and Africa.”

Itron also announced its next-generation ultrasonic gas meter for residential applications called USONIX. The device is the result of a year-long collaboration with Panasonic to develop a fully electronic gas meter that uses ultrasonic sensors for measuring gas volume rather than using conventional diaphragm technology. This approach provides gas utilities in Europe with a safe and reliable product to efficiently measure gas.

In addition, Itron and Panasonic are continuing to collaborate on new products for gas utilities, including designing a metering product that will enable utilities to identify compatible gas appliances for their customers as part of a gas management service.

Masanori Iwai, Panasonic global marketing manager for gas meter devices adds: “Through this close relationship with Itron, we will be able to provide new business models to energy utilities. By identifying the compatible appliances, utilities can offer value-added service to the end users, and this will be the key solution for them to realize energy management, which was the missing piece of the industry.”

© smartmeters.com. No Reproduction without permission.