Itron one of several ‘smart grid’ firms helping push ‘apps for energy’ contest
A good app may be worth $30,000 in prize money. And Spokane-area Itron Inc. is taking part in a nationwide effort to find and reward the best apps that use and analyze energy use.
Itron has positioned itself as a major component as the nation makes a slow but inevitable swing toward the "smart grid."
The Obama administration has decided to work the tech street a little harder and is urging software developers to get in the smart grid game; As part of a "apps for energy" contest, a total of $100,000 will go to developers of apps that change how utilities and consumers understand and use data related to power. The money is provided from the U.S. Department of Energy.
The Energy Department’s “Apps for Energy” competition is summarized here. The deadline to submit is May 15 at 8 p.m. ET.
Along with Itron, other companies involved include Pacifc Gas & Electric Company, and Gridwise Alliance.
The judges of the contest include Sharelynn Moore, Itron’s vice president of corporate communications.