DistribuTECH buzz: News from Itron, Opower, Honeywell (and others)

By SGN Staff

If you aren't onsite in San Antonio for this week's DistribuTECH hoopla, not to worry. We're rounding up news and views on the flurry of new products and partnerships being announced. Below and on page 2 is our first installment; be sure to come back tomorrow because we're just getting started.

Itron apps help utilities maximize value of smart grid data

Itron released its first set of specialized analytic software applications to help utilities take full advantage of their smart grid data. Built to leverage Itron’s metering, communication network and MDM solutions, the apps provide actionable business intelligence to enable specific smart grid solutions for distribution operations, revenue cycle services and customer engagement. (Itron will be demonstrating the analytic applications at DistribuTECH in their booth #611.) Read the press release

Quick take: Itron's under-noticed MDM and analytics business gets a boost with the release of an "off-the-shelf" analytics package. Or perhaps "analytics starter kit" is a better term. Rival eMeter just announced something similar as well. The metering world is now turning its attention to making it easier to create value from the data that is pouring in. Not every utility, after all, can afford to hire an army of consultants to write custom apps. – Jesse Berst

Glen Canyon wins 1.5 million virtual AMI deployment in China

Silicon Valley startup Glen Canyon and Beijing GZH Power Corporation announced they will deploy 1.5 million advanced single phase meters in China using Glen Canyon's V-AMI system. V-AMI is an AMI-as-service business model in which upfront capital cost is replaced by a low monthly service fee. Read the press release

Quick take: The smart-grid-as-a-service trend we've been telling you about is making its way to China. We previously told you how GE's smart grid solutions underline the growing move to cloud services and about SAIC's managed services initiatives. Now here's Glen Canyon taking the concept to China with a 1.5 million deployment –  pretty impressive for a startup. – Jesse Berst

New Opower Marketplace service targets incentives for utility customers

Opower describes its new service as a first-of-its-kind collaboration between utilities, big box retailers and manufacturers to increase residential consumer demand for energy efficient products and services. The idea is to encourage utility customers to support utility energy efficiency programs by providing rebates and targeted discounts for products and services they can turn into savings at point-of-sale. Home Depot is the first big box retailer to activate the Opower Marketplace. Read the press release

Quick take: We're finally seeing some savvy marketing to consumers. Matching up consumers at the point of sale with utility rebates could provide just enough incentive to get consumers thinking about buying energy-saving gadgets, especially if Opower makes them super easy and convenient to find. – Jesse Berst

Next page: More announcements >>