Arkansas Cooperative to Modernize Electric Grid with Itron's Gen5 Riva Solution
Rhea-AI Summary
Itron (NASDAQ: ITRI) and National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) are collaborating with Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative (AVECC) to enhance grid resiliency across the Arkansas River Valley. The project, funded through the U.S. Department of Energy's GRIP Program, involves deploying Itron's Gen5 Riva® smart meters integrated with fiber-enabled communications technology.
AVECC, serving nearly 63,000 members across 6,000+ miles of distribution lines, is building upon its 2018 Advanced Smart Grid Project by enhancing its GPON fiber infrastructure with Itron's Fiber MiniAP devices. This upgrade will provide improved grid operational data visibility, edge analytics, and enhanced member services.
The implementation enables cost-effective IIoT network coverage in rural, low meter-per-mile areas, supporting advanced metering infrastructure and grid management applications while improving resilience against extreme weather and aging infrastructure challenges.
Positive
- DOE GRIP Program funding secured for project implementation
- Expansion into rural utility market with 63,000 member reach
- Integration with existing infrastructure reduces deployment costs
- Strategic partnership with NRTC enhances market penetration
Negative
- Rural, low meter-per-mile areas may impact revenue efficiency
- High infrastructure investment required for extensive coverage area
Insights
Itron's partnership with Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative (AVECC) represents a strategic win that leverages the company's technology flexibility while opening doors to an underserved market segment. This DOE-funded grid modernization project will deploy Itron's Gen5 Riva smart meters integrated with the cooperative's existing fiber infrastructure across a 63,000-member service territory with over 6,000 miles of distribution lines.
The deployment showcases Itron's Fiber MiniAP technology, specifically designed to overcome the economic challenges of low meter-density rural areas - a persistent hurdle in grid modernization efforts. By enabling AVECC to leverage its existing fiber investments while adding RF mesh capabilities, Itron offers a cost-effective path to modernization that could appeal to hundreds of similarly situated rural cooperatives across the country.
While the immediate financial impact is likely modest relative to Itron's
This deployment validates Itron's channel strategy through NRTC to efficiently reach the cooperative segment. It also demonstrates the company's alignment with growing utility concerns around grid resilience against extreme weather - a priority driving infrastructure investment nationwide. Beyond the initial hardware deployment, the project creates opportunities for recurring revenue through additional services and analytics capabilities.
Cooperative to Leverage Fiber Network to Improve Grid Resiliency and Reliability Across Rural Service Territory
LIBERTY LAKE, Wash., March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI), which is innovating new ways for utilities and cities to manage energy and water, and its channel partner, National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC), are working together with Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative Corporation (AVECC), to improve grid resiliency and reliability for AVECC’s members across the Arkansas River Valley.
AVECC is leveraging its existing fiber optic network to unlock a broad range of applications at the grid edge. As part of the collaboration, AVECC is deploying Itron’s Gen5 Riva® smart meters and connecting them to Itron’s fiber-enabled communications technology. This smart grid project, which was awarded funding through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program, enables AVECC to upgrade its power grid and to improve the delivery of affordable and clean energy across the rural community, which has more than 6,000 miles of distribution lines and nearly 63,000 members across its service territory.
In 2018, AVECC launched its Advanced Smart Grid Project by deploying a Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) fiber communications system that delivers secure, high-speed connectivity directly to its electric substations while also providing members with reliable, high-speed internet access. To further modernize its network, AVECC is enhancing its GPON fiber infrastructure with Itron’s Fiber MiniAP devices to connect Itron electric smart meters throughout its service territory. This will provide AVECC with greater visibility into grid operational data along with control and analytics capability at the edge of the grid. It will also enable AVECC to offer its members enhanced services and access to detailed consumption data.
The Itron Fiber MiniAP is designed to allow utilities, cooperatives or municipalities operating existing GPON fiber networks to cost-effectively extend industrial IoT (IIoT) network coverage in rural, low meter-per-mile areas. It is a flexible network device, seamlessly delivering intelligent connectivity by enabling both fiber and RF Mesh communications to connect smart grid assets for applications such as advanced metering infrastructure, distributed intelligence or grid management.
“With this project, we are initiating the next chapter in our smart grid journey. By integrating Itron technology with our fiber network, we are further modernizing our electric grid to deliver reliable and resilient energy to our members, even in remote areas,” said Chris Howek, Manager of Engineering at AVECC. “We appreciate the collaboration with Itron and NRTC as we deploy a comprehensive smart grid and improve resiliency against the growing threats of extreme weather and aging infrastructure.”
“Itron is proud to partner with AVECC on their grid modernization journey, supporting their ongoing investments in reliability, safety and member services,” said John Marcolini, senior vice president of Networked Solutions at Itron. “Our commitment is to empower utilities of all sizes with innovative, practical technologies that meet their needs today and help them anticipate the challenges of tomorrow.”
“We are committed to helping cooperatives leverage technology to enhance the resilience of rural America's electric grid. As an NRTC member, Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative gains access to our technical expertise, project management, and logistical support - both now and throughout the solution’s lifecycle. With the project in motion, we’re eager to drive progress and equip the utility with modern technology," said Chad Dose, Director of AMI Solutions at NRTC.
About Itron
Itron is a proven global leader in energy, water, smart city, IIoT and intelligent infrastructure services. For utilities, cities and society, we build innovative systems, create new efficiencies, connect communities, encourage conservation and increase resourcefulness. By safeguarding our invaluable natural resources today and tomorrow, we improve the quality of life for people around the world. Join us: www.itron.com.
Itron®, the Itron Logo and Riva® are registered trademarks of Itron, Inc in the United States and other countries and regions. MiniAP is a trademark of Itron, Inc in the United States. All third-party trademarks are property of their respective owners and any usage herein does not suggest or imply any relationship between Itron and the third party unless expressly stated.
For additional information, contact:
Itron, Inc.
Alison Mallahan
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
509-891-3802
PR@Itron.com
Paul Vincent
Vice President, Investor Relations
512-560-1172
Investors@itron.com
Itron, Inc.
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/itroninc
- X: www.x.com/itroninc
- Newsroom: https://itron.com/newsroom
- Blog: https://itron.com/blog
FAQ
What is the scope of AVECC's smart grid modernization project with Itron (ITRI)?
How is the AVECC-Itron (ITRI) grid modernization project being funded?
What technology improvements will Itron (ITRI) bring to AVECC's existing fiber network?
How will Itron's (ITRI) technology benefit AVECC's rural service areas?
