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Itron and Ambient Corp sign MoU to deliver joint smart grid solutions on Verizon Wireless’s infrastructure

Tony Chan | July 5, 2009 | 0 Comments

Smart meter vendor, Itron, and utility communications specialist, Ambient Corporations, have signed a MoU to jointly market a suite of smart grid solutions for utility customers. Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies will closely integrate Itron’s smart metering application, OpenWay, with Ambient Smart Grid communications technology to connect legacy equipment as well as advanced smart energy applications for power grid operators.

According to the companies, the solution will be delivered on Verizon Wireless’ EV-DO networks. Ambient and Verizon Wireless have a joint marketing agreement for the smart grid sector. In January, Ambient’s X-3000 node, which provides the communications platform to enable data from residential and commercial smart meters, appliances and other applications to link back to utility’s back end IT system, was certified to run on the Verizon Wireless network through its open development program.

Itron North America senior vice president and chief operating officer Philip Mezey said, “This is further proof that the OpenWay architecture is adaptable to multiple networks in support of smart grid deployments. Building the smart grid requires unprecedented collaboration. Our partnership with Ambient will help both our companies extend smart grid benefits to more energy users.”

The agreement covers multiple technologies from both companies, including Itron ERT technology, used for automated meter reading (AMR); as well as Itron Fixed Network and OpenWay RFLAN communications. The partnership leverages Ambient’s X-3000 node and AmbientNMS, key components of Ambient Smart Grid solutions, and network capabilities utilizing Verizon Wireless’ cellular networks.

John J. Joyce, president and chief executive officer of Ambient, said, “This partnership brings together Itron’s core consumer and commercial AMI technologies with Ambient’s high-capacity communications network for a complete ‘utility to the home’ smart grid solution.”