McKinstry, an energy efficiency company, has acquired the Enterprise Energy Management Suite (EEM Suite) software group from long-time partner and Spokane-based utility solutions company Itron Inc.

"Acquiring this technology allows us to advance our vision of integrating the smart grid into building systems throughout the country," said Dean Allen, CEO, McKinstry, in a statement.

Allen said that Itron is the world leader in smart grid technology, and with this product suite, McKinstry is now capable of managing the next generation of smart buildings.

Officials with McKinstry said that EEM Suite is an Internet-based application that monitors buildings' energy and water usage and helps the company find ways to reduce energy costs and green house gas emission.

McKinstry has licensed EEM Suite from Itron since 2007 as a part of its facility management offering to clients.

Currently McKinstry services and monitors more than 250 million square-feet of building space nationally.

Company officials said that integrating EEM Suite into McKinstry's existing technology will enable continued product development of the tool.

Combined with McKinstry's market leading Active Energy Management and Performance Assurance solutions, this technology will add greater value to McKinstry's clients and current EEM customers.

"Smart grid technology is advancing quickly and we are seeing more demand from the utility market for integrated solutions," said Malcolm Unsworth, president and CEO, Itron.

Itron Inc. is a technology provider to the global energy and water industries.

Unsworth said that the company's principal focus is smart technology from the meter to the grid. At the same time, McKinstry's focus is bringing smart grid technology inside buildings.

"We see this as the perfect acquisition for McKinstry and one that will perpetuate our partnership," he said.

The web-based EEM Suite platform integrates all utility-related data (utility bills, meter data, prices, square footage, peak energy usage times, etc.) enabling McKinstry to proactively manage client's energy and water usage. This allows clients to make short- and long-term strategic operating decisions that yield a reduction in cost and risk.

EEM Suite currently services a number of federal, state, city, higher education and private customers throughout North America.