Itron Introduces Solar-Powered Access Point to Expand Intelligent Connectivity for Gas and Water Utilities
Itron (NASDAQ: ITRI) has introduced its new Solar Battery Access Point (Solar Battery AP), a solar-powered device designed to provide network connectivity for gas and water utilities where traditional mesh networks are unavailable. Set to launch in North America in H2 2025, this innovation addresses key infrastructure challenges by enabling utilities to mount devices on their own assets, eliminating the need for expensive tower or utility pole infrastructure.
The device features a rechargeable power management system with integrated solar panels, offers cost-effective deployment by avoiding infrastructure agreements, and is designed to last up to 20 years in the field. The Solar Battery AP delivers low-latency, battery-powered mesh networking, making the transition from AMR to AMI networks more accessible for utilities while optimizing total ownership costs.
Itron (NASDAQ: ITRI) ha presentato il nuovo Solar Battery Access Point (Solar Battery AP), un dispositivo alimentato a energia solare progettato per fornire connettività di rete a servizi di gas e acqua dove le reti mesh tradizionali non sono disponibili. Previsto per il lancio in Nord America nella seconda metà del 2025, questa innovazione affronta le principali sfide infrastrutturali permettendo alle utility di installare i dispositivi sui propri asset, eliminando la necessità di costose torri o pali della luce.
Il dispositivo dispone di un sistema di gestione dell’energia ricaricabile con pannelli solari integrati, offre un dispiegamento economico evitando accordi infrastrutturali ed è progettato per durare fino a 20 anni sul campo. Il Solar Battery AP garantisce una rete mesh a bassa latenza alimentata a batteria, rendendo più accessibile per le utility la transizione da reti AMR a AMI, ottimizzando al contempo i costi totali di proprietà.
Itron (NASDAQ: ITRI) ha presentado su nuevo Solar Battery Access Point (Solar Battery AP), un dispositivo alimentado por energía solar diseñado para proporcionar conectividad de red a servicios de gas y agua donde las redes mesh tradicionales no están disponibles. Su lanzamiento en Norteamérica está previsto para la segunda mitad de 2025, y esta innovación aborda desafíos clave de infraestructura al permitir que las utilities monten los dispositivos en sus propios activos, eliminando la necesidad de costosas torres o postes de servicios públicos.
El dispositivo cuenta con un sistema de gestión de energía recargable con paneles solares integrados, ofrece un despliegue rentable al evitar acuerdos de infraestructura y está diseñado para durar hasta 20 años en campo. El Solar Battery AP proporciona una red mesh de baja latencia alimentada por batería, facilitando la transición de redes AMR a AMI para las utilities mientras optimiza los costos totales de propiedad.
Itron(NASDAQ: ITRI)는 전통적인 메시 네트워크가 없는 가스 및 수도 유틸리티를 위해 네트워크 연결을 제공하는 태양광 기반 장치인 Solar Battery Access Point(Solar Battery AP)를 출시했습니다. 2025년 하반기 북미 출시 예정인 이 혁신 제품은 유틸리티가 비용이 많이 드는 타워나 전신주 인프라 없이 자체 자산에 장치를 설치할 수 있게 하여 주요 인프라 문제를 해결합니다.
이 장치는 통합 태양광 패널이 포함된 충전식 전원 관리 시스템을 갖추고 있으며, 인프라 계약을 피함으로써 비용 효율적인 배치를 제공하고 현장에서 최대 20년 동안 사용할 수 있도록 설계되었습니다. Solar Battery AP는 저지연 배터리 전원 메시 네트워킹을 제공하여 유틸리티가 AMR에서 AMI 네트워크로 전환하는 것을 보다 쉽게 하며 총 소유 비용을 최적화합니다.
Itron (NASDAQ : ITRI) a lancé son nouveau Solar Battery Access Point (Solar Battery AP), un dispositif alimenté par énergie solaire conçu pour fournir une connectivité réseau aux services de gaz et d'eau là où les réseaux maillés traditionnels ne sont pas disponibles. Prévu pour un lancement en Amérique du Nord au second semestre 2025, cette innovation répond aux défis clés des infrastructures en permettant aux services publics de monter les dispositifs sur leurs propres actifs, éliminant ainsi le besoin d'infrastructures coûteuses telles que les tours ou les poteaux.
Le dispositif est équipé d’un système de gestion d’énergie rechargeable avec panneaux solaires intégrés, offre un déploiement économique en évitant les accords d’infrastructure, et est conçu pour durer jusqu’à 20 ans sur le terrain. Le Solar Battery AP fournit un réseau maillé à faible latence alimenté par batterie, facilitant la transition des réseaux AMR vers AMI pour les services publics tout en optimisant le coût total de possession.
Itron (NASDAQ: ITRI) hat seinen neuen Solar Battery Access Point (Solar Battery AP) vorgestellt, ein solarbetriebenes Gerät, das Netzwerkkonnektivität für Gas- und Wasserversorger bereitstellt, wo traditionelle Mesh-Netzwerke nicht verfügbar sind. Die Markteinführung in Nordamerika ist für das zweite Halbjahr 2025 geplant. Diese Innovation adressiert wichtige Infrastrukturprobleme, indem sie Versorgungsunternehmen ermöglicht, Geräte an eigenen Anlagen zu montieren und so teure Türme oder Versorgungsmasten überflüssig macht.
Das Gerät verfügt über ein wiederaufladbares Energiemanagementsystem mit integrierten Solarpanels, ermöglicht eine kosteneffiziente Implementierung durch den Verzicht auf Infrastrukturvereinbarungen und ist für eine Lebensdauer von bis zu 20 Jahren im Einsatz konzipiert. Der Solar Battery AP bietet ein batteriebetriebenes Mesh-Netzwerk mit niedriger Latenz, was den Übergang von AMR- zu AMI-Netzwerken für Versorger erleichtert und gleichzeitig die Gesamtbetriebskosten optimiert.
- Eliminates monthly power bills and power drop costs through solar-powered operation
- Reduces deployment costs by avoiding infrastructure agreements with utility pole owners
- Long product lifecycle of up to 20 years
- Enables easier transition from AMR to AMI networks for utilities
- None.
Insights
Itron's new solar-powered access point solves utility infrastructure challenges, enabling cost-effective AMI deployment for gas and water providers through self-powered networking technology.
Itron's new Solar Battery Access Point (Solar Battery AP) represents a targeted solution to a specific infrastructure challenge in the utility sector. As stated in the press release, gas and water utilities have traditionally faced difficulties implementing Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) "due to the lack of overhead infrastructure to mount and power network devices."
The technical architecture "combines Itron's decades of experience building battery-powered devices and field-proven Intelligent Connectivity" with a solar-powered approach. By mounting "directly to utility-owned assets," this device eliminates two significant cost barriers explicitly mentioned in the release: infrastructure agreements and "monthly power bill[s]." The integrated solar panel "generates the power required to operate the Solar Battery AP," creating deployment flexibility.
What makes this particularly noteworthy is the stated "20-year field design lifespan," which the company presents as "long-lasting performance." This aligns with the durable infrastructure requirements typical in utility applications.
The press release positions this product specifically for utilities "transitioning from an AMR to an AMI network," indicating it serves as an enabling technology for utilities seeking to upgrade their metering infrastructure while "optimizing the total cost of ownership." The company notes this will help utilities "create new ways for them to engage with their customers."
Itron's solar-powered access point removes financial barriers to AMI adoption for water/gas utilities by eliminating pole rental costs and power infrastructure requirements.
This innovation addresses a critical challenge for water and gas utilities deploying Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) networks. As the press release states, these utilities often face obstacles "due to the lack of overhead infrastructure to mount and power network devices," and "the operational costs to rent or lease pole space, install devices and maintain a network can often be too high to justify the benefits."
By enabling deployment on "utility-owned assets," the Solar Battery AP fundamentally changes the economic equation. The press release highlights that utilities can reduce costs "by avoiding infrastructure agreements" and "eliminating the costs for a power drop and monthly power bill" through the integrated solar panel power generation system.
The device's "rechargeable power management system" means utilities gain mounting flexibility without the ongoing expenses typically associated with powered network devices. This directly addresses what John Marcolini, Itron's senior vice president, described as "hurdles many water and gas utilities face when transitioning from an AMR to an AMI network."
The "low-latency, battery-powered mesh network" capabilities mentioned in the release expand connectivity options for these utilities, potentially enabling them to "improve the safety and reliability of the critical services that they deliver" as noted in the executive's statement.
While full deployment impact won't be seen until after the "second half of 2025" release date specified in the announcement, this product appears designed to optimize "the total cost of ownership" for AMI deployments, potentially making advanced metering more accessible to utilities that previously found it cost-prohibitive.
Offers Flexible, Cost-Effective Networking Option for Water and Gas Utilities by Eliminating the Need for Expensive Tower-based or Utility Pole Mounted Infrastructure
LIBERTY LAKE, Wash., May 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI), which is innovating new ways for utilities and cities to manage energy and water, unveils its new Solar Battery Access Point (Solar Battery AP), a solar-powered, battery-operated device to provide reliable network connectivity in areas where traditional mesh networks are not available. The Solar Battery AP combines Itron’s decades of experience building battery-powered devices and field-proven Intelligent Connectivity into a form-factor that will revolutionize networking for the gas and water industry. Available in North America in the second half of 2025, the Itron Solar Battery AP will be showcased in Itron booth 1202 during the American Gas Association Operations Conference from May 4 to 8 in Colorado.
When deploying an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) network, water and gas utilities can face challenges due to the lack of overhead infrastructure to mount and power network devices. The operational costs to rent or lease pole space, install devices and maintain a network can often be too high to justify the benefits. The Itron Solar Battery AP addresses this challenge by enabling utilities to utilize their own assets to mount the devices. This approach simplifies the deployment and maintenance of an AMI network and lowers its total cost of ownership. Key benefits of the Solar Battery AP include:
- Rechargeable Power Management System: An integrated solar panel generates the power required to operate the Solar Battery AP, providing mounting flexibility and eliminating the costs for a power drop and monthly power bill.
- Cost-Effective Deployment: By mounting directly to utility-owned assets, utilities can reduce costs by avoiding infrastructure agreements.
- Long-Lasting Performance: Designed to last up to 20 years in the field.
- Enhanced Connectivity: The Solar Battery AP delivers a low-latency, battery-powered mesh network, expanding connectivity for gas and water utilities.
"When designing the Solar Battery AP, we aimed to create a solution that would overcome the hurdles many water and gas utilities face when transitioning from an AMR to an AMI network, while also optimizing the total cost of ownership. The Solar Battery AP achieves that," said John Marcolini, senior vice president of Network Solutions at Itron. "We look forward to helping utilities and municipalities leverage this technology to improve the safety and reliability of the critical services that they deliver and to create new ways for them to engage with their customers.”
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® and the Itron Logo are registered trademarks of Itron, Inc in the United States and other countries and regions. 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: www.linkedin.com/company/itroninc
- X: www.x.com/itroninc
- Newsroom: https://itron.com/newsroom
- Blog: https://itron.com/blog
FAQ
What is Itron's new Solar Battery Access Point and when will it be available?
How long is the Solar Battery AP designed to last in the field?
What are the main benefits of ITRI's Solar Battery Access Point for utilities?
How does Itron's Solar Battery AP help reduce infrastructure costs for utilities?
