At Itron, we’re gearing up for our annual customer-focused event, Itron Inspire, which is just a few short weeks away. This year’s conference, held in Palm Desert, CA from Oct. 6-8, will bring together industry leaders, utility peers and Itron experts to discuss the latest innovations in energy, water and smart cities. In recent years, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) has played a pivotal role in advancing these innovations, with unprecedented funding directed toward enhancing the U.S. energy infrastructure.  

At Itron Inspire 2024, we’ll discuss how utilities and cities can continue taking advantage of IIJA funding to build a more intelligent grid, advance sustainability initiatives, meet growing energy demands and ultimately create a more resourceful world. Be sure to check out these breakout sessions: 

Session 1: Maximizing Your IIJA Potential 

In the first IIJA-focused session, Unlocking Opportunities: Navigating the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act Together, industry leaders Matt Monnot, analyst of emerging technologies strategy at FirstEnergy; JD Domenichelli, executive vice president at 4Liberty; and Trevor Lamb, manager of IT grants and vendor management at Sacramento Municipal Utility District, will come together to share the latest updates and insights on the IIJA and its ongoing impacts on the utility industry.  

Itron works closely with customers to navigate the complexities of IIJA funding, helping them research, prepare and submit applications that maximize investments in their communities. We also support customers through the process that follows once funding has been awarded. Join this session for insight into winning strategies and new opportunities for collaboration that extend the impact of these programs far beyond utility and city operations. From smart streetlighting and load control to EV fleet management and distributed energy resource optimization, this session will showcase real-world use cases powered by robust industrial IoT networks, positioning utilities to secure future funding opportunities. 

Session 2: Enhance Your Water Deployment with IIJA Funding 

You’re invited to join industry leaders David Kushner, director of global data management at Itron; Cecilia Velasquez, vice president of customer experience and strategic initiatives at San Antonio Water System; Keith Mojica, deputy water services director at the City of Phoenix; and Matt Owens, client development professional at West Monroe Energy & Utilities, for the second IIJA session at Itron Inspire: Accelerate the Value of Your Water Deployment. This discussion will highlight how utilities can leverage IIJA funding to modernize and revamp their smart water distribution networks. 

Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) is transforming the coop and municipal sectors by helping utilities realize operational value now while laying the foundation for future services and advanced use cases for their water distribution networks. With AMI Essentials —a multi-commodity, integrated solution—utilities can deploy systems that include a network (cellular or RF) communications platform, water communication modules (endpoints) and hosted software and deployment services. Join this session to learn how AMI is helping utilities achieve valuable use cases like more accurate billing, reduced truck rolls, data-driven leak detection, improved operational efficiency, enhanced customer service and greater visibility into usage data for smarter water management. 

Get Ahead of IIJA Round Three 

The final round of IIJA funding will be announced this fall. If you haven’t started yet, now is the time to begin the planning process and work on your concept paper. Itron is here to help you develop concept paper ideas, identify projects that are a good fit for round three and more. Get started today by reaching out to Liz Thompson, business growth manager. 

Connect with Us at Itron Inspire 2024 

With a variety of keynotes, thought leadership, breakout sessions and networking events, Itron Inspire is the place to learn how more intelligence leads to more possibilities. If you haven’t already, register today to discover new ways to improve operations and transform your business. Follow along on social media and join the conversation by using the hashtag #ItronInspire24 and learn more at www.itron.com/inspire.