Vectren Energy to Automate an Additional 60,000 Gas Meters with Itron AMR Technology

Itron, Inc. announced a new contract with Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio, Inc. to expand deployment of Itron’s Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) technology, adding another 60,000 AMR modules throughout Vectren’s Ohio territories, for a total of 115,000 gas meters to be automated by the first quarter of 2006.

“Our goal is to eliminate the estimated reads and associated operational and service problems—something easily done with Itron’s AMR technology,” said Steve Bramlage, president of Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio. “We’ve had very good results from the existing deployment with Itron. We’ve seen this technology eliminate the need for a meter reader to enter our customers’ property, which increases their privacy and convenience. This also improves billing accuracy, which improves customer satisfaction.”

Vectren has approximately 330,000 gas meters, with many of those indoors, making them difficult for meter readers to access. By choosing Itron’s highly efficient mobile AMR technology, utility employees will not need access to customers’ homes to read the meters, nor ask customers to provide meter reads. Instead, meter reads are gathered efficiently and accurately via radio signal by a utility vehicle equipped with a portable computer.

Russ Vanos, vice president for Itron’s hardware sales, said the expanded contract is a reflection of the cost-effectiveness and reliability of Itron’s AMR technology, as well as Vectren’s confidence in Itron to deliver proven solutions that meet key business objectives.

“We are delighted to expand our partnership with Vectren,” said Vanos. “Itron’s AMR system works very well for them and delivers a strong return on their investment.”

Source: Itron, Inc.