Itron Unveils Cutting-Edge Low Voltage Distributed Energy Resource Management System (LV DERMS) for Australian Market at Energy Networks 2024

Rhea-AI Summary

Itron, Inc. introduces its innovative Low Voltage Distributed Energy Resource Management Solution (LV DERMS) for Australian utilities at the Energy Networks Conference. The solution aims to manage Consumer Energy Resources like rooftop solar and battery storage to maintain network stability amidst the energy transition challenges in Australia.

Insights

Energy Market Analyst

The introduction of Itron's Low Voltage Distributed Energy Resource Management Solution (LV DERMS) in the Australian market is a strategic move in response to the country's increasing adoption of Consumer Energy Resources (CERs) such as rooftop solar and battery storage. With over 30% rooftop solar penetration and a shift away from base-load coal, Australia is at the forefront of energy transition, making the stability and efficiency of the low-voltage network a pressing concern for utilities.

From an energy market perspective, the ability of LV DERMS to provide Centralised Control and Visibility and Dynamic System State Estimation is significant. These features enable utilities to manage the grid more effectively by understanding real-time constraints and forecasting future scenarios. This is particularly important in a market that is moving towards a decentralized model with a high penetration of CERs. The solution's emphasis on real-time data and forecasting aligns with the broader trend in the energy sector towards data-driven decision-making.

Furthermore, the Energy Market Participation functionality indicates a shift towards a more integrated and dynamic energy market. By facilitating a consistent interface for aggregator relationships and DOE compliance, Itron's LV DERMS could streamline the process for utilities to interact with the market and manage distributed energy resources. This is likely to become increasingly important as electric vehicle adoption grows and further strains the grid.

Renewable Energy Technology Specialist

The deployment of Itron's LV DERMS in Australia represents a technological advancement in the management of distributed energy resources within a low-voltage network. The integration of Distributed Intelligence into the LV DERMS is a critical feature that allows for autonomous control at the edge of the grid. This decentralized approach is essential for managing the complexity and variability introduced by high volumes of CERs.

Technologically, the use of GridQube's DSSE engine for state estimation is a notable improvement over traditional power flow models, especially in the context of low-voltage networks where data hierarchy can be imperfect. The ability to provide reliable, real-time results is a game-changer for utilities that need to ensure network stability amid fluctuating energy generation and consumption patterns.

Additionally, the Enhanced DOE Compliance Validation feature is an important development for ensuring that individual premises adhere to the dynamic operating envelopes, which are critical for maintaining grid integrity. The technological advancements in Itron's LV DERMS are likely to set a precedent for future solutions in the renewable energy sector, emphasizing the importance of real-time data processing and distributed control mechanisms.

Environmental Policy Analyst

The introduction of Itron's LV DERMS aligns with Australia's environmental policy goals of decarbonization and increased reliance on renewable energy sources. By providing utilities with advanced tools for managing CERs, Itron's solution could potentially accelerate the country's transition towards a cleaner energy mix.

The policy implications of this technology are far-reaching. With the Proven Scalability of Itron's platforms, utilities are better equipped to handle the increased load from CERs without compromising on network stability. This is important for meeting future scalability requirements as Australia moves towards its decarbonization targets.

The capability of Itron's LV DERMS to adapt to market reforms suggests a broader trend of regulatory frameworks evolving to accommodate new technologies and market participants. This could lead to more efficient energy markets and a greater emphasis on sustainability in policy decisions. As such, Itron's solution is not just a technological innovation but also a facilitator of policy progress in the renewable energy landscape.

Itron LV DERMS to Deliver New Functionalities for Australian Utilities to Better Manage Generation Resources

LIBERTY LAKE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI), which is innovating new ways for utilities and cities to manage energy and water, is unveiling its Low Voltage Distributed Energy Resource Management Solution (LV DERMS) for the Australian market at the Energy Networks Conference, taking place in Adelaide, Australia, from March 19-21, 2024. Itron’s innovative solution delivers a unique, data-driven method for managing Consumer Energy Resources (CERs), such as rooftop solar or battery storage, while maintaining network stability within the low-voltage network.

Australia has over 30% rooftop solar penetration, an aggressive plan to reduce base-load coal and a growing interest in electric vehicles (EVs). The challenges of the coming energy transition will result in grid instability originating in the LV network, which must be addressed. The top-down model-based solutions that are commonly used to address this challenge do not provide the necessary information for balancing the changes CERs will cause in the LV network.

Itron’s LV DERMS applies a bottom-up approach and, when integrated with existing back-office systems such as an advanced distribution management system (ADMS), it’s designed to shift the planning and operating risks caused by CERs into opportunities, through the core and unique capabilities of the solution that include:

• Centralised Control and Visibility – Insight into the capabilities of CERs within the LV network and orchestration based on real-time understanding of state, forecast and constraints. Itron’s LV DERMS can be scaled and adapted as the scale of CERs requires market reforms from emergency back stop mandates to adoption of non-wires alternatives applied across multiple market roles.
• Dynamic System State Estimation (DSSE) – Itron’s LV DERMS solution uses GridQube’s DSSE engine for the validation of LV topology and real-time calculation of constraints and Dynamic Operating Envelopes (DOEs). In contrast to power flow models, state estimation techniques are uniquely well suited to LV applications as they produce reliable results, in real-time, even in the face of imperfect hierarchy data.
• State of the Art Forecasting – The same Itron engines that today provide real-time operational forecasts for the National Energy Market and the Wholesale Electricity Market are used in Itron’s LV DERMS to forecast from high-voltage to the premise and are applied to operations, DOE generation and scenario analysis.
• Enhanced DOE Compliance Validation – Itron’s LV DERMS is uniquely able to validate premise-level DOE compliance in near real-time within constrained areas of the LV network.
• Energy Market Participation – Itron’s LV DERMS provides a consistent single market-facing interface for:
  • Tracking standing aggregator relationships for all CERs to ensure accurate, near real-time publishing of DOEs to the market responsible participant. An extension of Itron’s Australian Market Transaction System, Distributed Energy Resource Publisher provides tracking of standing aggregator relationships for all CERs and NMIs to ensure distribution of DOEs and other data to the appropriate responsible party.
  • Enabling the key interface for connecting to aggregators and CERs in real-time with a IEEE 2030.5 CSIP-AUS utility server that provides premise level messaging and reporting for field CER assets.
• Proven Scalability – Today, Itron’s platforms regularly collect and process data from millions of LV network devices and CERs in a single instance. With this strong foundation, Itron’s solutions can help utilities be well advanced in meeting the future scalability requirements in Australia towards full decarbonization.
• Empowering LV DERMS with Distributed Intelligence - As utilities progress toward full decarbonization, the number and variety of CERs is projected to increase dramatically. Native integration to Itron’s distributed intelligence platform enables LV DERMS to be pushed to the edge of the grid in a highly distributed architecture enabling autonomous control to balance the LV network cost efficiently.

“Australia’s plan for decarbonization is unique in its heavy reliance on rooftop solar and the number of market participants that must be coordinated to make it work. As a company that spends time solving problems at the edge of the LV network, Itron has developed a unique set of capabilities to deliver increasingly real-time outcomes based on actual measurement data, to enable utilities to control and balance the LV network,” said Paul Nelsen, vice president of Customer and Market Experience, APAC at Itron. “Over the past 20 years, Itron has worked closely with our utility customers to address several step-changes in scale and complexity driven by Australian market reforms. Itron’s LV DERMS is specifically tailored to bring together the global and local technologies to address Australia’s unique needs for CER optimization in the LV network.”

To explore these solutions and to learn more about the LV DERMS or Distributed Intelligence for Australia, visit Itron in booth #81 at Energy Networks in Adelaide, Australia, from March 19-21, 2024.

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^® is a registered trademark of Itron, Inc. 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.

Itron, Inc.

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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240319623229/en/

Itron, Inc.

Sharon Chong

Field Marketing Manager, Asia Pacific

Office: +65 69837687

sharon.chong@itron.com

Paul Vincent

Vice President, Investor Relations

512-560-1172

Investors@itron.com

Source: Itron, Inc.

FAQ

What is Itron, Inc. unveiling at the Energy Networks Conference in Australia?

Itron, Inc. is unveiling its Low Voltage Distributed Energy Resource Management Solution (LV DERMS) for the Australian market at the Energy Networks Conference.

What are the core capabilities of Itron's LV DERMS solution?

The core capabilities include Centralised Control and Visibility, Dynamic System State Estimation (DSSE), State of the Art Forecasting, Enhanced DOE Compliance Validation, Energy Market Participation, Proven Scalability, and Distributed Intelligence.

How does Itron's LV DERMS address the challenges of grid instability in the LV network?

Itron's LV DERMS applies a bottom-up approach and integrates with existing systems to shift planning and operating risks caused by Consumer Energy Resources into opportunities.

What role does Itron's LV DERMS play in the decarbonization efforts in Australia?

Itron's LV DERMS helps utilities advance towards full decarbonization by managing the increasing number and variety of Consumer Energy Resources efficiently.

Who is Paul Nelsen and what is his role at Itron, Inc.?

Paul Nelsen is the vice president of Customer and Market Experience, APAC at Itron, Inc., overseeing the development and implementation of solutions like LV DERMS for the Australian market.