AMI solution to address Virgin Islands water authority capital improvement initiatives

March 7, 2014
The U.S. Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority has selected Itron's AMI communications network and advanced meters for its more than 55,000 electric customers in the Saint Croix, Saint John and Saint Thomas isalnds.


LIBERTY LAKE, WA, and RALEIGH, NC, March 7, 2014 -- The U.S. Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (VIWAPA) has selected Itron's advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) communications network and advanced meters for its more than 55,000 electric customers throughout the islands of Saint Croix, Saint John and Saint Thomas.

Iron Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI), a technology and services company dedicated to the resourceful use of energy and water, and Tantalus, a provider of real-time smart grid communications, announced the project on Tuesday, March 4, and is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It will leverage multiple communication technologies through the fully-integrated TUNet® (Tantalus Utility Network) platform with Itron AMI-ready meters, which will facilitate the use of advanced applications such as automated metering, remote service disconnect/reconnect, revenue protection, and demand management.

"One of the biggest advantages of the Itron-Tantalus solution was that it is designed to cost-effectively leverage as much existing infrastructure as possible, including fiber and microwave backhaul technology, over extremely rugged terrain," said Niel Vanterpool, AMI Project Lead for VIWAPA.

This project represents a key portion of VIWAPA's long-range capital improvement initiatives to address challenges in improving electrical operational efficiency, modernizing network infrastructure, managing demand costs, and improving revenue protection. The utility will initially utilize high return TUNet applications such as real-time meter reading, billing reconciliation and tamper/theft detection. Integrations with systems such as GIS, OMS and MDM will support the implementation of future applications such as in-home consumer energy management tools and demand management. VIWAPA will use TUNet-enabled CENTRON® II electric meters for deployment.

VIWAPA’s deployment is the first Caribbean joint project between Tantalus and Itron since the two companies announced an alliance in late 2011. VIWAPA joins the rapidly-growing domestic and international Itron-Tantalus customer base, which includes utilities like Appalachian Electric Cooperative (AEC), Inland Power & Light (IPL) and Guyana Power & Light (GPL).

About Itron

Itron is a world-leading technology and services company dedicated to the resourceful use of energy and water. We provide comprehensive solutions that measure, manage and analyze energy and water. Our broad product portfolio includes electricity, gas, water and thermal energy measurement devices and control technology; communications systems; software; as well as managed and consulting services. With thousands of employees supporting nearly 8,000 customers in more than 100 countries, Itron applies knowledge and technology to better manage energy and water resources. Together, we can create a more resourceful world. Join us: www.itron.com.

About Tantalus

Tantalus provides two-way, real-time data communications networks to monitor and control electric, gas and water utilities. TUNet® – the Tantalus Utility Network – is an end-to-end WAN/LAN/HAN communications system that operates with 220 MHz RF, 900 MHz, and IP-based networks including Fiber, WiMAX and GPRS/cellular, either individually or in combination. TUNet’s patented and patents pending technologies are purpose built for the Smart Grid. The Tantalus network unites a utility’s applications, making advanced metering, outage management, power quality monitoring, load control, and distribution automation cost-effective and practical throughout both urban and rural service areas. For more information, please visit www.tantalus.com.

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