Itron’s ChoiceConnect Chosen by Linea for Focused Deployment

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Itron, Inc.’s ITRI ChoiceConnect Network solution has been selected by Linea Distribuzione to modernize gas distribution system in Northern Italy. Linea Distribuzione will deploy the solution in Europe, marking the first deployment in the region.

With rising demand, operational and environmental constraints and aging infrastructure, present day utilities are searching for smart gas metering which will be cost-effective and will better manage gas resources. Itron's advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) solutions offer an automatic meter reading process, featuring two-way communications.

Itron's ChoiceConnect Network is an end to end smart metering system which enables gas meter reads and network monitoring, on-demand reads for move-in and move-out and datalogging, and gas supply remote control. The solution helps in reducing operational costs and ensures system integrity of the gas delivery.

Linea Distribuzione, a natural gas provider in Northern Italy, will install the solution in the city of Crema to manage approximately 17,000 meters, which will be operated by Itron. The technology will help Linea Distribuzione to comply with the European Union’s (EU) smart metering directive for the rollout of smart meters.

The EU is well on track toward meeting its targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions under its own internal target in the Europe 2020 Strategy. The EU aims to replace at least 80% of electricity meters with smart meters by 2020 to reduce its emissions by 20% compared to 1990 levels.

The project will provide access close to real-time customer usage information and help expedite bill reconciliation. The solution’s full two-way communication to the meter will enable on-demand reads and disconnects to be easily conducted without having to go into the field.

The ChoiceConnect solution will help Linea Distribuzione transform its business operations, customer engagement and resource management. Through the solution, Linea Distribuzione and its customers will have access to detailed meter data, improving operations and informing customers of their gas usage that will enable them to save energy.

To date, more than 50 million gas endpoints are operating under the ChoiceConnect fixed network and mobile solution in North America. Itron is well positioned to benefit from its transition to smart technologies and envisions strong growth opportunities in North America and EMEA and targeted areas of growth in the Asia Pacific and Latin American regions. Continuous adoption of smart metering platform will create growth opportunities for Itron.

Liberty Lake, WA-based Itron Inc., along with its subsidiaries, is one of the principal technology providers to energy and water industries worldwide. It produces electricity, gas, water and heat meters, data collection and utility software solutions as well as various other associated metering products. The company provides its services to residential, commercial and industrial customers, along with transmission and distribution customers.

Itron currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the electrical test equipment industry include Cognex Corporation CGNX, Teradyne Inc. TER and Angie's List, Inc. ANGI. All these stocks carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

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