Itron automates meters at Piedmont Natural Gas

Itron is working with Piedmont Natural Gas Co. to automate data collection from the Charlotte, N.C.-based utility’s 945,000 natural gas meters.

Using Itron’s Mobile Automatic Meter Reading technology, Piedmont will collect accurate reads via radio signals in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The technology removes the need for utility staff to access the customers’ properties to read the meters and lets utilities eliminate estimated bills, improving operating efficiencies and enhancing employee safety. The deployment began in July and is scheduled to finish in October 2007.