Now, BC Hydro will start transitioning from Itron’s RF Mesh smart meter architecture to the smart grid IPv6 by using currently installed 40,000 of the over 1.8 million smart meters.
The company, which installed 97% of the smart meters throughout the province and converted 1.75 million customers to automated billing, is currently using Itron’s meter data management system to acquire detailed data from the smart meters.
WIth increasing customer awareness of energy use and costs, the program has enhanced employee safety and provided immediate operational savings to help reduce electricity rates and energy theft.
BC Hydro Smart Metering Program director Fiona Taylor said that Itron has delivered advanced technology and has been a trusted partner to BC Hydro throughout its Smart Metering Program deployment.
"Itron’s dedication to our success and their expertise has been extremely valuable as we’ve deployed this key smart grid project," Taylor added.
"We are pleased with all the accomplishments to date and the benefits we are already seeing, including streamlined operations, improved system visibility, and revenue recovery. We look forward to realizing the full benefits of the IPv6 network architecture in 2014."
After completion of the evaluation, the migration of the remaining network connected meters through over-the-air firmware download is scheduled to take place in 2014.
