GE Energy, a subsidiary of business conglomerate GE, announced that it is supplying smart meter infrastructure to Ecuador by Electrica de Guayaquil (EDG) to support an energy grid modernization project in the region.

The project intends to install some 25,000 meters in Ecuador to improve the reliability of the electric service in Ecuador. This is the second phase of a complete overhaul of the country's meters, which will eventually replace nearly 200,000 meters.

“Improving Ecuador's energy outlook is a very important factor in improving Ecuador's economic outlook,” said Ing. Oscar Armijos Gonzalez-Rubio, general manager of Electrica de Guayaquil, in a statement. “The information, network management and efficiency gains from this new meter infrastructure will help us get the most benefit from our electric grid.”

GE's smart meter solution combines advanced metering infrastructure and RF communications. It will enable remote connect and disconnect of customers, the collection of usage information for efficiency planning and future enhancements such as demand response control and pre-payment, company officials said.

Trilliant, a provider of smart grid communications network, will provide the communications platform.

According to Roberto Vengoechea, general manager of Digital Energy Latin America, the smart meters give EDG the data points and capabilities to change consumers' relationships with electricity.

“The enhanced network control and efficiency tools enabled by smart meters open doors to the very latest energy innovations that can increase productivity and efficiency while reducing and minimizing outages,” Vengoechea added.

In another recent development, GE announced a partnership with AES Eletropaulo to collaborate on a smart grid research and development project in the city of Sao Paulo. This first-of-its-kind pilot project for the utility connects GE smart meters via Trilliant’s (News - Alert) wireless communication network to AES Eletropaulo’s meter data management center—to improve system monitoring, identify problems before they occur, and reduce the duration of interruptions in energy supply.