The conversation centered around the importance of collaboration and innovation in the utility industry, particularly in managing distributed assets and leveraging software platforms like Cumulocity. Speakers emphasized the complexity of grid edge technology and the need for leaders to guide the charge towards a more sustainable and efficient future. They also discussed the importance of utilities managing energy demand and infrastructure with smart devices, reducing investments in poles and wires, and changing their relationship with consumers from energy providers to partners in the energy transition.

Action Items

• [ ] Itron and Software AG will continue collaborating to more quickly connect diverse devices and bring data together
• [ ] Interested parties can contact Miguel at miguel.morales@softwareag.com or Ty at ty.roberts@itron.com for more information

Outline

Grid edge technology and its impact on utilities.

• Miguel Morales is the commercial lead at cumulocity, IoT part of software. AG.
• Morales has experience in IoT, including Azure IoT and industrial IoT practice at a fortune 250 industrial startup.
• Miguel shares their admiration for Itron and experiences working with them.
• Ty discusses the focus on grid edge technology and utilities managing distributed assets.

Utilizing data to manage energy consumption and infrastructure.

• Miguel: Consumers want more control over energy consumption, but may lack awareness of available solutions.
• Scott MacKenzie: Utilities face challenge of providing visibility into diverse range of devices for efficient energy management.
• Ty: Utilities need to reduce investments in poles and wires by leveraging smart devices and control.
• Miguel: Cities also need capex for visibility and load management to deliver reliability.
• Miguel: Utilities can leverage standard cellular network for data collection without additional investment.
• Ty: Targeted approaches with utilities to mitigate local problems, starting with specific areas of concern.

Utilities' role in energy transition, collaboration, and consumer education.

• Collaboration necessary for secure, reliable power distribution.
• Utilities must change relationship with customers by providing proactive insights and value.

Incentivizing consumers to contribute to solving energy problems through positive reinforcement and collaboration between software companies and utilities.

• Miguel suggests utilities need to incentivize users with positive reinforcement, such as celebrating small wins or saving turtles.
• Scott MacKenzie agrees, noting that leaders in the utility industry must take the first step towards incentivizing users in a more engaging way.
• Scott MacKenzie: Collaboration with Software AG for faster data connection and insights.
• Utilities are being matched with partners for end-to-end solutions, including Itron and Software AG.

Utilizing software to streamline grid edge operations.

• Miguel compares software development to cooking, using meal kits as an analogy.
• Ty is optimistic about the show's impact, citing...