Itron and CHINT Global Lead Industry with First Smart Meter Based on the DLMS Generic Companion Profile (GCP) Standard
Rhea-AI Summary
Itron (NASDAQ: ITRI) and CHINT Global have launched the first residential electric smart meter based on the DLMS User Association's AC Electricity Smart Meter (ACESM) Generic Companion Profile (GCP) standard. This groundbreaking collaboration advances interoperability in the global utility market.
The GCP-compliant meter features an Itron Gen5 network interface card (NIC) embedded in a CHINT electric meter. The solution underwent extensive testing and validation to ensure reliability. The new standard eliminates the need for custom-built interfaces, reducing integration and deployment costs for utilities.
Itron's Meter Integration Services have been field-proven with over 40 million smart meters deployed by more than 10 vendors across 50 different meter types. The GCP-compliant meter is now available globally, offering utilities a standardized framework for Advanced Metering Infrastructure deployments.
Positive
- First-to-market advantage with GCP-compliant smart meter
- Proven track record with 40M+ smart meters deployed
- Global availability of the new meter solution
- Reduced integration and deployment costs for utilities
Negative
- None.
Insights
Itron's introduction of the first smart meter based on the DLMS Generic Companion Profile (GCP) standard, in partnership with CHINT Global, represents a significant technological advancement in the smart metering industry. This innovation addresses a critical pain point for utilities by standardizing smart meter integration, which traditionally requires costly custom interfaces for each implementation.
The GCP standard creates a universal framework that enables plug-and-play compatibility between different vendors' equipment, potentially accelerating adoption cycles while reducing integration and deployment costs for utilities. For Itron, this positions the company as an industry pioneer in interoperability standards, leveraging their extensive experience with over 40 million smart meters deployed across 50 different meter types.
The strategic partnership with CHINT Global, a significant player in global metering solutions, expands Itron's reach, particularly in Asian markets where CHINT has strong presence. By embedding Itron's Gen5 network interface card in CHINT meters, Itron extends its technology footprint without manufacturing the entire meter.
This development aligns with industry-wide trends toward standardization and interoperability in utility infrastructure. For utilities, the value proposition centers on reduced vendor lock-in, faster deployments, and lower implementation costs. For Itron, it potentially expands their addressable market by making their networking technology compatible with more meter types globally.
This standardization initiative represents a meaningful shift in the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) landscape. Historically, the utility sector has struggled with proprietary systems that create technological silos and increase operational complexity. By championing the GCP standard, Itron positions itself advantageously in the evolving competitive landscape where interoperability is increasingly valued by utility customers.
The economic implications for utilities are substantial. AMI deployments typically involve multi-million dollar implementations with significant integration costs. By eliminating custom-built interfaces, utilities can potentially reduce implementation expenses and accelerate deployment timelines, enhancing the return on infrastructure investments.
Looking at market dynamics, Itron's leadership in adopting this standard could strengthen its position in competitive bids where utilities specify GCP compliance as a requirement. This is particularly relevant as global utilities accelerate grid modernization efforts, with interoperability becoming a key selection criterion to future-proof investments.
For Itron, the meter integration services business represents a valuable revenue stream that complements hardware sales. With a track record of 10+ vendors and 40+ million meters deployed, standardization potentially expands this service offering by simplifying the integration process for new meter types and utility customers. The timing aligns with global utility digitalization initiatives, creating market pull for standardized solutions that reduce implementation complexity.
Early Adopters of GCP Standard Advance Interoperability, Expanding Choices for Utilities and Meter Vendors
LIBERTY LAKE, Wash., March 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI), which is innovating new ways for utilities and cities to manage energy and water, and CHINT Global, a global metering solutions provider with regional headquarters in Singapore, have introduced the first residential electric smart meter based on the DLMS User Association’s AC Electricity Smart Meter (ACESM) Generic Companion Profile (GCP) standard. With this collaboration, the companies are advancing interoperability and streamlining mutli-vendor solution integration for the global utility market. The GCP-compliant meter is now available globally.
The GCP standard ensures interoperability across smart metering technologies and enables a comprehensive range of smart grid use cases and functionalities. By aligning with this standard, Itron and CHINT Global enable utilities to adopt smart meters more quickly, reducing integration and deployment costs and ensuring consistent execution of smart metering use cases. By providing a standardized framework, the GCP standard eliminates the need for costly, custom-built interfaces, enabling a more efficient and scalable approach to Advanced Metering Infrastructure deployments.
The GCP-compliant meter features an Itron Gen5 network interface card (NIC) embedded in a CHINT electric meter. This integration was achieved through collaboration between Itron and CHINT Global, leveraging Itron’s Meter Integration Services alongside CHINT Global’s expertise in meter development. Itron supported the integration process by providing a comprehensive suite of tools, templates and expert guidance. The solution underwent rigorous testing and validation in professional laboratories, ensuring high-performance and reliability. With this collaboration, Itron and CHINT Global drive innovation in the smart metering industry, contributing to a more connected and efficient energy ecosystem. Itron’s Meter Integration Services are field-proven and tested with over 40 million smart meters deployed by more than 10 vendors across 50 different meter types.
“Itron is at the forefront of advancing interoperability and ensuring utilities worldwide can transition to a more standardized, efficient and scalable ecosystem. The GCP framework is a major step toward industry-wide standardization, enabling a more unified, scalable approach to smart metering,” said John Marcolini, senior vice president of Networked Solutions at Itron. “Over the past year, Itron has worked closely and in parallel with DLMS in the development of the GCP framework, and we are proud to be at the forefront of its adoption with our partner CHINT Global.”
“As utilities worldwide accelerate their efforts to modernize smart metering infrastructure, adopting a unified, standards-based framework is becoming increasingly critical. Standardization not only simplifies integration but also enhances interoperability, scalability and long-term operational efficiency. The industry is shifting toward greater synergy in metering technologies, and GCP stands out as the ideal solution for streamlining meter-to-cash processes, ensuring reliability and future-proofing utility investments,” said Lisa Wu, Deputy General Manager, Head of Asia Pacific Meter Sales, CHINT Global.
To learn more about DLMS UA Generic Companion Profiles, see Itron's DLMS COSEM white paper.
Learn More at DISTRIBUTECH 2025
For more information, visit Itron at DISTRIBUTECH 2025, March 24-27, in booth #3008 at the Partner & Ecosystem station.
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.
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Itron, Inc.
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512-560-1172
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Itron, Inc.
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FAQ
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