US smart meter projects on track: Itron

The company continues to work on its deployments for major utilities in the US.

Itron Inc has said that the economic recession has not affected deployment of the company’s $1.4 billion in smart meter contracts with four major U.S. utilities.

According to a report filed by Reuters, Itron chief executive Malcolm Unsworth said projects with Sempra Energy’s San Diego Gas & Electric, CenterPoint Energy Inc and Edison International’s Southern California Edison “are all on plan according to what they originally proposed”.

Itron has a fourth contract with DTE Energy unit Detroit Edison which is expected to begin in 2010.

The company also continues to improve its offerings in this sector. Recently, Itron signed a joint marketing agreement with Verizon Wireless for development of secure, two-way communications that support utilities’ access to energy usage data and advance their smart grid projects.

Operating on Verizon Wireless’ network, the Itron OpenWay Cell Relay now allows utilities to more quickly collect, measure and manage energy data, while providing a supply of power without having to build and operate proprietary communications networks.