PG&E and Itron Expand Collaboration to Enhance Customer Experience and Improve Grid Management with Distributed Intelligence

PG&E and Itron (ITRI) expanded a collaboration to deploy grid edge intelligence that aims to ease home electrification, improve EV charging without costly panel upgrades, enhance real-time grid awareness, reduce wildfire risk, and speed outage response.

Rhea-AI Summary

PG&E and Itron (ITRI) expanded a collaboration to deploy grid edge intelligence that aims to ease home electrification, improve EV charging without costly panel upgrades, enhance real-time grid awareness, reduce wildfire risk, and speed outage response.

PG&E plans up to 1,000 devices through 2026 with intent to scale to hundreds of thousands; initial funding is partially via California's EPIC public R&D program.

Positive

• Initial deployment of up to 1,000 devices through 2026
• Intended scale to hundreds of thousands of devices
• Technology can avoid costly home panel upgrades for sub‑150 amp panels

Negative

• Near‑term deployment capped at up to 1,000 devices through 2026
• Program partially funded by EPIC R&D, not commercial financing

Argus Feb 3 session

+0.66% close to close Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – ITRI

On Feb 3, the day this news came out, ITRI closed 0.66% above the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the Feb 3 session.

Key Figures

Current price: $100.45 52-week high: $142 52-week low: $90.11 +5 more

Current price

$100.45

Pre-news trading level for ITRI on 2026-02-03

52-week high

$142

Upper end of 52-week trading range

52-week low

$90.11

Lower end of 52-week trading range

Devices planned

1,000 devices

PG&E intends to install up to 1,000 new Itron devices through 2026

Panel size threshold

150 amps

Technology targets customers with smaller panels, especially those under 150 amps

EV charger level

Level 2

Many customers want to install fast Level 2 EV chargers at home

Grid response time

< 1 second

Distributed intelligence applications can respond to grid changes in less than one second

Market cap

$4,444,609,310

Pre-news market capitalization for ITRI

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 29

5 events

1. Jan 29

   Product showcase

   24h Move

   +1.0%

   Showcased Grid Edge Intelligence portfolio and new Resiliency Solutions segment at DTECH.

2. Jan 28

   AI partnership

   24h Move

   +0.2%

   Deepened AI collaboration with Microsoft via IEOS Connector for Microsoft 365 Copilot.

3. Jan 27

   AI collaboration

   24h Move

   +0.6%

   Announced AI-powered Grid Planning solution with Snowflake for system-wide modeling.

4. Jan 08

   Earnings timing

   24h Move

   +0.9%

   Set date and webcast details for Q4 and full-year 2025 financial results release.

5. Jan 06

   Utility partnership

   24h Move

   +0.9%

   Partnered with EYATH S.A. and IDATOR to deploy Smart Water Solutions in Thessaloniki.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

distributed intelligence, grid edge devices, level 2 ev charger, advanced metering infrastructure, +4 more

8 terms

distributed intelligence technical

"Using distributed intelligence, Itron grid edge devices can connect directly..."

Distributed intelligence is a way of designing software and devices so that decision-making and data processing happen across many connected machines or locations instead of in one central place. Think of it like a team of workers each handling tasks locally rather than sending everything back to a single headquarters. For investors, it can lower costs, speed up services, improve reliability and data privacy, and create competitive advantages or new revenue opportunities for companies that adopt it.

grid edge devices technical

"Using distributed intelligence, Itron grid edge devices can connect directly..."

Grid edge devices are the hardware and controllers located where homes, businesses and local power sources connect to the electricity grid — for example smart meters, rooftop solar inverters, batteries, electric vehicle chargers and sensors. They let the network measure, control and shift when electricity is used or stored, like a smart thermostat managing home heating. For investors, these devices matter because they can reduce costs, create new revenue streams, change demand for utility infrastructure, and shift regulatory and competition dynamics in energy markets.

level 2 ev charger technical

"many customers who want to install a fast Level 2 EV charger at home..."

A Level 2 EV charger is a 240-volt electric vehicle charging station commonly installed at homes, workplaces and public parking that fills a battery much faster than the standard household outlet, typically adding tens of miles of range per hour. Investors care because these chargers drive demand for electricity, real estate upgrades, and charging-network services—making them a visible sign of EV adoption and potential revenue or cost impacts for utilities, property owners and mobility businesses.

advanced metering infrastructure technical

"These deployments will help shape PG&E’s long-term advanced metering infrastructure plans."

A network of digital meters, communication systems and data platforms that lets utilities read usage remotely, detect outages, and send or receive signals about supply and demand. Think of it as the utility’s nervous system that replaces periodic manual meter readings with continuous, two-way data flow. Investors care because it changes how utilities earn and spend money: it can cut operating costs, enable new services and pricing, improve revenue accuracy, and create capital needs and cybersecurity risks that affect returns.

waveforms technical

"The devices can capture waveforms and with the distributed intelligence application..."

Waveforms are the shapes that a measurable signal makes over time — for example the electrical trace of a heartbeat or the sound pattern picked up by a sensor — much like the ripples a stone makes across a pond. Investors watch waveforms because their clarity and consistency determine how well a device or test works, which affects regulatory approval, clinical usefulness, product differentiation and potential market value.

load management technical

"Better load management: The grid edge devices help PG&E better balance electricity demand..."

Load management is a deliberate strategy to limit, schedule or rotate the amount of work, stress or use placed on a person, machine or system so it performs reliably over time and avoids breakdowns or costly repairs. For investors, it signals how a company protects valuable resources — such as employees, equipment, or intellectual property — to safeguard future productivity, control costs and reduce the risk of unexpected disruptions to revenue.

distributed intelligence platform technical

"within our distributed intelligence platform, we’re enabling devices to work together..."

A distributed intelligence platform is a software system that spreads data processing and decision-making across many devices or locations instead of relying on a single central computer, combining local analysis with coordinated updates so the whole system learns and adapts. Investors care because it can cut costs, speed up responses, improve reliability and privacy, and enable new products or services—like a team where each member solves problems locally while sharing results to boost overall performance.

grid edge intelligence technical

"Itron’s Grid Edge Intelligence solutions to help: Make home electrification easier..."

Grid edge intelligence means placing sensors, controllers and small-scale computing near where electricity is generated, stored or used — for example on homes, solar panels, batteries and local substations — so decisions can be made locally instead of relying on a distant central office. For investors it matters because it enables faster response to outages, better use of distributed energy, lower operating costs and new services (similar to adding smart assistants around a house to manage energy and cut bills), creating opportunities in hardware, software and services.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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OAKLAND, Calif. and LIBERTY LAKE, Wash., Feb. 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and Itron are embarking on the next phase of their collaboration to transform the energy landscape, enhance the customer experience, reduce wildfire risk and create a more reliable and flexible grid. Building on the companies’ existing EV Connect collaboration, PG&E is further integrating and deploying Itron’s Grid Edge Intelligence solutions to help:

• Make home electrification easier and more affordable for customers
• Reduce operations and maintenance costs by getting more value and performance from its existing electric infrastructure, helping drive down customer rates
• Strengthen its ability to detect and predict grid conditions—reducing wildfire risks and speeding outage response
  
  

"This collaboration is about innovating to improve the lives of California's families and businesses,” said Mike Delaney, Vice President, Strategy & Innovation, PG&E. “By using grid-edge technology and real-time data, we can make it easier for our customers to charge an EV at home and for us detect potential problems with equipment early, allowing PG&E crews to investigate the issue and prevent outages or wildfires before they happen.”

“This collaboration between PG&E and Itron is paving the way for a more resilient and adaptive grid,” said Don Reeves, senior vice president, Outcomes at Itron. “By leveraging peer-to-peer communications within our distributed intelligence platform, we’re enabling devices to work together locally, making real-time decisions that improve safety, reliability and customer experience. This approach not only accelerates electrification but also empowers utilities to optimize operations and respond faster to changing grid conditions.”

Making Customer EV Charging and Home Electrification Easier and More Affordable
Today, many customers who want to install a fast Level 2 EV charger at home require major electrical upgrades first. These upgrades can cost thousands of dollars and take months to complete. Grid edge intelligence changes that.

Using distributed intelligence, Itron grid edge devices can connect directly to a compatible Level 2 charger. The device then automatically adjusts charging speeds based on the home’s electrical limits and local grid conditions. This protects the customer’s electric panel and helps avoid the need for costly upgrades.

For many customers with smaller panels, especially those under 150 amps, this technology could remove one of the biggest barriers to owning an EV.

While the first use case focuses on EV charging, this program could eventually support other home appliances—like heat pumps or electric water heaters—without requiring panel or service upgrades, helping make home electrification more affordable.

Leveraging distributed intelligence, PG&E and Itron can coordinate energy use inside the home and across the grid. This approach unlocks more value from existing infrastructure and helps customers electrify their homes at a lower cost.

A Smarter, Safer, More Flexible Grid
This strategic collaboration also brings new capabilities that help PG&E operate the grid more safely and efficiently including:

• Real-time grid awareness: Distributed intelligence applications running on Itron’s grid edge devices can respond to changes on the grid in less than one second. So, if a tree branch hits a powerline or equipment begins to fail, the device detects the change right away and sends an alert back to PG&E. This gives PG&E a near‑real‑time view of what’s happening on the grid, allowing crews to spot issues faster, reduce outage times, and adjust before small problems become bigger disruptions for customers.
• Wildfire mitigation: The devices can capture waveforms and with the distributed intelligence application can identify unusual electrical activity that could signal equipment problems. This early warning helps PG&E investigate and address potential issues sooner, reducing the risk of electrical equipment contributing to wildfires.
• Better load management: The grid edge devices help PG&E better balance electricity demand as more customers adopt EVs, heat pumps, and other electric technologies. By using data to provide more granular visibility, PG&E can optimize its existing grid assets and limit the need for additional grid upgrades—helping to keep costs down and maintain reliable service over time.
  
  

A Collaboration Built for Innovation and Scale
PG&E intends to install up to 1,000 new Itron devices through 2026 with plans for scaling to hundreds of thousands of devices. These deployments will help shape PG&E’s long-term advanced metering infrastructure plans.

This collaboration is partially funded through PG&E's electric R&D budget under the public purpose program Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC). EPIC enables California investor-owned utilities to demonstrate new technologies and evaluate how they support safety, reliability and affordability, environmental sustainability and equity objectives for the benefit of all California electric customers. For more information about PG&E’s R&D and innovation efforts, visit www.pge.com/innovation.

About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than sixteen million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.  

About Itron
Itron is transforming how the world manages energy, water and city services. Our trusted intelligent infrastructure solutions help utilities and cities improve efficiency, build resilience and deliver safe, reliable and affordable service. With edge intelligence, we connect people, data insights and devices so communities can better manage the essential resources they rely on to live and thrive. Join us as we create a more resourceful world: 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.

Marketing & Communications | 300 Lakeside Drive | Oakland, CA  94612 | 415.973.5930 | www.pge.com

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

How many Itron (ITRI) grid edge devices will PG&E install by 2026?

PG&E intends to install up to 1,000 Itron devices by 2026 as an initial deployment. According to PG&E and Itron, this pilot is meant to validate distributed intelligence and inform plans to scale to hundreds of thousands of devices.

Will Itron's Grid Edge Intelligence let homeowners avoid electrical service upgrades for EV charging?

Yes; distributed intelligence can adjust charging to avoid panel upgrades for many homes under 150 amps. According to Itron and PG&E, the device limits charging speed based on home and local grid conditions to reduce upgrade need and cost.

How does the Itron (ITRI) technology help reduce wildfire risk for PG&E?

The devices capture waveforms and identify unusual electrical activity as early warnings. According to PG&E and Itron, that real‑time detection lets crews investigate equipment problems sooner, potentially reducing equipment‑related wildfire ignition risk.

What operational benefits does PG&E expect from Itron's distributed intelligence?

PG&E expects faster outage detection, near‑real‑time grid visibility, and improved load management as benefits. According to the companies, devices can respond in under one second and help balance demand as electrification increases.

How is the PG&E and Itron (ITRI) collaboration funded and what are next steps?

The collaboration is partially funded through California's EPIC electric R&D program for demonstration projects. According to PG&E, the work will inform advanced metering plans and aims to scale deployments beyond the initial pilot if results support expansion.