Itron and Schneider Electric Collaborate to Tackle Grid Complexity, Enable Visibility and Control at the Grid Edge, Integrating Microsoft Solutions
Itron (NASDAQ: ITRI) and Schneider Electric have expanded their collaboration with Microsoft to deliver a comprehensive Grid Edge Intelligence solution, addressing utility grid visibility and control challenges. The partnership integrates Itron's distributed intelligence technology with Schneider's Digital Grid solutions and Microsoft's AI platform.
The collaboration aims to improve grid reliability through high-bandwidth, real-time data integration, enabling utilities to enhance grid capacity by up to 20% while maintaining asset loading limits. This non-wires solution addresses infrastructure constraints during a period where transformer lead times extend to 1-2 years.
Key features include transformer-to-meter mapping, state estimation improvements, enhanced Volt-VAR optimization, and local DER group management. The solution enables utilities to modernize their models with near real-time measurements and better understand distribution grid bottlenecks.
The solution will be available in North America by the end of 2025.
Itron (NASDAQ: ITRI) e Schneider Electric hanno ampliato la loro collaborazione con Microsoft per fornire una soluzione completa di Grid Edge Intelligence, affrontando le sfide relative alla visibilità e al controllo della rete elettrica. La partnership integra la tecnologia di intelligenza distribuita di Itron con le soluzioni Digital Grid di Schneider e la piattaforma AI di Microsoft.
La collaborazione mira a migliorare l'affidabilità della rete attraverso l'integrazione di dati in tempo reale ad alta capacità, consentendo alle utility di aumentare la capacità della rete fino al 20% mantenendo i limiti di carico degli asset. Questa soluzione senza fili affronta le limitazioni infrastrutturali in un periodo in cui i tempi di consegna dei trasformatori si estendono a 1-2 anni.
Le caratteristiche principali includono la mappatura trasformatori-contatori, miglioramenti nella stima dello stato, ottimizzazione avanzata Volt-VAR e gestione dei gruppi DER locali. La soluzione consente alle utility di modernizzare i loro modelli con misurazioni quasi in tempo reale e di comprendere meglio i colli di bottiglia nella rete di distribuzione.
La soluzione sarà disponibile in Nord America entro la fine del 2025.
Itron (NASDAQ: ITRI) y Schneider Electric han ampliado su colaboración con Microsoft para ofrecer una solución integral de Grid Edge Intelligence, abordando los desafíos de visibilidad y control de la red eléctrica. La asociación integra la tecnología de inteligencia distribuida de Itron con las soluciones Digital Grid de Schneider y la plataforma de IA de Microsoft.
La colaboración tiene como objetivo mejorar la fiabilidad de la red a través de la integración de datos en tiempo real de alta capacidad, permitiendo a las empresas de servicios públicos aumentar la capacidad de la red hasta un 20% manteniendo los límites de carga de los activos. Esta solución sin cables aborda las limitaciones de infraestructura en un período en el que los plazos de entrega de transformadores se extienden de 1 a 2 años.
Las características clave incluyen la mapeo de transformadores a medidores, mejoras en la estimación del estado, optimización avanzada de Volt-VAR y gestión de grupos DER locales. La solución permite a las empresas de servicios públicos modernizar sus modelos con mediciones casi en tiempo real y comprender mejor los cuellos de botella en la red de distribución.
La solución estará disponible en América del Norte a finales de 2025.
Itron (NASDAQ: ITRI)와 Schneider Electric은 Microsoft와 협력하여 유틸리티 그리드 가시성과 제어 문제를 해결하는 포괄적인 Grid Edge Intelligence 솔루션을 제공하기 위해 협력을 확대했습니다. 이 파트너십은 Itron의 분산 지능 기술을 Schneider의 디지털 그리드 솔루션 및 Microsoft의 AI 플랫폼과 통합합니다.
협력의 목적은 고대역폭의 실시간 데이터 통합을 통해 그리드의 신뢰성을 향상시키는 것으로, 유틸리티가 자산 하중 한계를 유지하면서 그리드 용량을 최대 20%까지 증가시킬 수 있도록 합니다. 이 비선로 솔루션은 변압기 리드 타임이 1-2년으로 연장되는 시기에 인프라 제약을 해결합니다.
주요 기능으로는 변압기-계량기 매핑, 상태 추정 개선, 향상된 Volt-VAR 최적화 및 지역 DER 그룹 관리가 포함됩니다. 이 솔루션은 유틸리티가 거의 실시간 측정을 통해 모델을 현대화하고 배전망의 병목 현상을 더 잘 이해할 수 있도록 합니다.
이 솔루션은 2025년 말까지 북미에서 제공될 예정입니다.
Itron (NASDAQ: ITRI) et Schneider Electric ont élargi leur collaboration avec Microsoft pour offrir une solution complète d'intelligence de bord de réseau, répondant aux défis de visibilité et de contrôle des réseaux électriques. Le partenariat intègre la technologie d'intelligence distribuée d'Itron avec les solutions de réseau numérique de Schneider et la plateforme d'IA de Microsoft.
La collaboration vise à améliorer la fiabilité du réseau grâce à l'intégration de données en temps réel à large bande, permettant aux services publics d'augmenter la capacité du réseau jusqu'à 20% tout en maintenant les limites de charge des actifs. Cette solution sans câbles répond aux contraintes d'infrastructure à une époque où les délais de livraison des transformateurs s'étendent de 1 à 2 ans.
Les caractéristiques clés comprennent la cartographie des transformateurs aux compteurs, des améliorations de l'estimation de l'état, une optimisation avancée de Volt-VAR et la gestion des groupes DER locaux. La solution permet aux services publics de moderniser leurs modèles avec des mesures quasi en temps réel et de mieux comprendre les goulets d'étranglement du réseau de distribution.
La solution sera disponible en Amérique du Nord d'ici la fin de 2025.
Itron (NASDAQ: ITRI) und Schneider Electric haben ihre Zusammenarbeit mit Microsoft erweitert, um eine umfassende Lösung für Grid Edge Intelligence zu liefern, die Herausforderungen in Bezug auf die Sichtbarkeit und Kontrolle von Versorgungsnetzen angeht. Die Partnerschaft integriert die verteilte Intelligenztechnologie von Itron mit den Digital Grid-Lösungen von Schneider und der KI-Plattform von Microsoft.
Das Ziel der Zusammenarbeit ist es, die Zuverlässigkeit des Netzes durch hochbandbreitige, Echtzeit-Datenintegration zu verbessern, wodurch Versorgungsunternehmen die Kapazität des Netzes um bis zu 20% erhöhen können, während die Lastgrenzen der Anlagen eingehalten werden. Diese drahtlose Lösung adressiert Infrastrukturengpässe in einer Zeit, in der die Lieferzeiten für Transformatoren 1-2 Jahre betragen.
Zu den Hauptmerkmalen gehören die Zuordnung von Transformatoren zu Zählern, Verbesserungen bei der Zustandsabschätzung, verbesserte Volt-VAR-Optimierung und das Management lokaler DER-Gruppen. Die Lösung ermöglicht es Versorgungsunternehmen, ihre Modelle mit nahezu Echtzeit-Messungen zu modernisieren und die Engpässe im Verteilungsnetz besser zu verstehen.
Die Lösung wird bis Ende 2025 in Nordamerika verfügbar sein.
- Solution enables up to 20% grid capacity enhancement without additional infrastructure
- Addresses critical infrastructure constraints during 1-2 year transformer lead times
- Provides real-time visibility and control of distribution grid operations
- Enables utilities to optimize existing infrastructure without new hardware investments
- Solution won't be available until end of 2025
- Initially to North American market only
Insights
Itron's expanded collaboration with Schneider Electric and Microsoft represents a strategic advancement in grid edge technology that addresses critical market needs. The joint solution targets a significant pain point for utilities - managing increasing grid complexity amid 1-2 year lead times for essential infrastructure components like transformers.
The partnership leverages Itron's core distributed intelligence capabilities to deliver real-time insights from behind service transformers, potentially enabling utilities to enhance grid capacity by up to
The four specific use cases (transformer-to-meter mapping, state estimation improvements, enhanced volt-VAR optimization, and DER grouping) directly address efficiency, reliability, and planning challenges utilities currently face. By positioning their technology to help utilities optimize existing assets and better integrate distributed energy resources, Itron demonstrates alignment with broader industry trends toward grid modernization.
While commercial availability isn't expected until year-end 2025, which limits near-term revenue impact, this collaboration potentially strengthens Itron's competitive positioning in the grid intelligence market. The partnership with technology leaders Microsoft and Schneider Electric likely enhances Itron's market credibility and expands their total addressable market through complementary capabilities and customer relationships.
Collaboration to Extend Grid Edge Intelligence to the Utility Control Center
LIBERTY LAKE, Wash. and BOSTON, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI), a leader in grid edge intelligence, and Schneider Electric, a leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, are expanding their collaboration with Microsoft to deliver a comprehensive Grid Edge Intelligence solution that addresses utility grid visibility and control challenges.
This collaboration takes advantage of Itron’s 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’ 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.
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, enhancing grid capacity of utilities’ existing infrastructure by as much as
The collaboration will integrate Itron’s Grid Edge Intelligence solutions, Schneider Electric’s Digital 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’s distributed-intelligence (DI)-enabled meters send real-time insights from behind the service transformer, as well as from individual DERs, to Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure ADMS, which enable seamless operation of distribution power system. This data exchange is housed in Microsoft’s 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’s broadband connection.
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:
1) Transformer-to-Meter Mapping enables 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.
2) State Estimation / Load Flow Accuracy Improvement helps 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.
3) Enhanced Volt-VAR Optimization (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.
4) Local DER Groups for Forecast and Management allow 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.
“Electricity demand is rapidly increasing due to the electrification of transportation, heating and more. By 2050, the U.S. grid's capacity will have nearly doubled compared to 2022, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, in Canada, grid capacity is projected to reach 226 GW by 2050. This coupled with the increased adoption of DERs—like rooftop solar, battery energy storage, electric vehicles, and microgrids—is adding immense complexity to the electric grid,” said Don Reeves, Itron’s senior vice president of Outcomes. “Historically, 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.”
“Today’s changing energy landscape and evolving complexity of the energy value chain requires new ways to optimize supply and demand. Itron’s 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,” said Matt Schnugg, CPO at Schneider Electric. “Improving 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.”
“Collaboration is key to addressing complex global energy challenges and creating the grid of the future. Working with Itron and 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,” said Darryl Willis, Corporate Vice President, Energy & Resources Industry at Microsoft.
Availability
The solution will initially be available in North America by the end of 2025.
Learn More at DISTRIBUTECH 2025
To learn more, visit Itron at DISTRIBUTECH 2025, March 25-27, in Itron booth #3008.
About Itron
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: www.itron.com.
Itron® and the Itron Logo are registered trademarks of Itron, Inc in the United States and 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.
About Schneider Electric
Schneider’s purpose is to empower all to make the most of our energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability for all. We call this Life Is On.
Our mission is to be your digital partner for Sustainability and Efficiency.
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.
We are the most local of global companies. We are advocates of open standards and partnership ecosystems that are passionate about our shared Meaningful Purpose, Inclusive and Empowered values. www.se.com
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FAQ
What is the expected grid capacity improvement from Itron's new Grid Edge Intelligence solution?
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