The project is intended to use smart technologies to automate part of the energy distribution system to increase system reliability and reduce outage time, incorporate renewable energy sources, and provide customers with more tools and information to monitor their energy usage.
To meet the project goals, Avista is deploying an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), smart grid communications, and distribution automation (DA) devices, the company said.
Avista has completed the installation of Itron OpenWay meters for its 13,000 electric and 5,000 gas customers that are included as part of the project was completed in May.
The meters will provide detailed energy usage data, outage detection and voltage monitoring, and Itron’s meter data management solution will provide software analytics to optimize distribution system reliability and efficiency in the area.
For smart grid communications, Itron’s OpenWay Integrated Cell Router and OpenWay 7320 wireless broadband router, both of which incorporate Tropos’ wireless broadband technology, will be used.
