Celebrating Innovative Utility Solutions
Achieving Infrastructure Resiliency and Preparedness for the Water and Energy Transition
SAN ANTONIO — Frost & Sullivan proudly announces the winners of the tenth annual Excellence in Resourcefulness Awards, recognizing Fort Collins Utilities and Texarkana Water Utilities. This acknowledgment was part of Itron Inspire 2025, a major gathering of leaders in the utility space.
These awards symbolize the vital role strategic technology investments play in achieving significant water and energy conservation objectives, bolstering financial health, and uplifting communities.
Honoring Excellence: Fort Collins Utilities
Fort Collins Utilities, based in Colorado, stands out with its ambitious vision of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 alongside a commitment to 100% renewable electricity by 2030. They are at the forefront of innovation, utilizing flexible load strategies to optimize variable energy demands. This initiative includes innovative Time-of-Use pricing and the implementation of Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS).
A standout feature of their success can be attributed to the collaboration with Itron. Over the years, they have refined functionalities that include support for OpenADR and enhanced communication channels for electric vehicles. This connected environment allows for better demand management through customer-owned devices like smart thermostats and interactive water heaters.
By optimizing energy use, Fort Collins aims to achieve 5% of its 2030 peak load in dispatchable capacity, translating to roughly 16 MW. Since launching their program, the utility has successfully shifted around 750 MWh of energy annually and demonstrated notable cost savings.
“The utility’s cost to conserve energy stands at approximately 3 cents per kWh, contrasting with a purchasing price of about 5 to 6 cents per kWh. This efficient strategy not only manages energy costs but also extends the lifespan of essential infrastructure, such as transformers and conductors,” highlights Farah Saeed, Industry Director for Energy and Environment Growth Advisory at Frost & Sullivan.
Recognizing Texarkana Water Utilities
Across state lines in Northeast Texas and Southwest Arkansas, Texarkana Water Utilities (TWU) faces a common challenge—overhauling aging water systems with financial constraints. Understanding the risks of maintaining outdated infrastructure, TWU proactively sought solutions to mitigate operational expenses associated with leak detection and infrastructure management.
In 2024, their advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) project secured $20 million in funding, backed by a solid, evidence-based rationale. The modernization strategy is underpinned by an integrated technology stack that utilizes satellite imagery along with Itron’s leak detection systems, enabling continuous monitoring of the water distribution network.
This proactive approach has identified over 64 leaks, contributing to savings of more than 137.3 million gallons of treated water each year and leading to operational savings exceeding $178,500 annually.
“By accurately quantifying potential water losses, TWU can prioritize repairs effectively, ensuring that resources are directed to areas yielding the highest impact on conservation,” states Saeed.
The new AMI system enhances customer engagement by providing real-time data through a dedicated portal, fostering transparency and trust between the utility and its residents, and promoting collaborative conservation efforts.
Award Selection Methodology
The process of selecting award recipients consisted of comprehensive research and interviews conducted by Frost & Sullivan. Utilities were evaluated based on best practices within the industry and critical success criteria that measure both societal and business impacts.
Indicators of societal impact encompass advancements in resource management technologies and programs that improve customer engagement through resourcefulness. Meanwhile, business impact reflects the clarity of a utility's vision toward implementing a technology-centric resourcefulness strategy that fosters operational efficiencies and elevates its standing in sustainability efforts.
About Itron
Itron is reshaping the landscape of energy, water, and municipal services management. Their intelligent infrastructure solutions are trusted by utilities and cities to enhance efficiency, foster resilience, and deliver essential, reliable services. By connecting data insights with technology and community needs, Itron empowers communities to manage their critical resources more effectively and sustainably.
About Frost & Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan aids organizations in accelerating growth and securing top positions in innovation and leadership. Their Growth Pipeline as a Service equips CEOs and growth teams with strategies and best practices needed for launching impactful growth initiatives, leveraging extensive experience and insights gained over more than six decades in collaboration with Global 1000 companies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the Excellence in Resourcefulness Awards?
The awards recognize utilities that excel in implementing innovative technology strategies for water and energy conservation.
Who are the winners of the latest awards?
Fort Collins Utilities and Texarkana Water Utilities received the honors in this year's awards ceremony.
What goals did Fort Collins Utilities set for the future?
They aim for carbon neutrality by 2050 and 100% renewable electricity by 2030.
How does Texarkana Water Utilities tackle infrastructure challenges?
They secured funding through a data-backed business case to modernize their aging infrastructure efficiently.
What role does Itron play in supporting these utilities?
Itron provides advanced technology solutions that help utilities manage resources more efficiently and effectively.
