In the first three months of 2011, 28 rural electric cooperatives and municipalities implemented or signed on to use Aclara's TWACS advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), continuing the momentum that has been building over the past three years. In 2010, 36 utilities implemented TWACS technology, almost doubling the total from 2009, when 20 clients deployed it.

TWACS technology is reliable in installations of all sizes. Known for its effectiveness in rural areas or in areas with rough terrain, it also has been successfully deployed in urban environments. PPL Electric Utilities, Wisconsin Public Service and Idaho Power are utilities with rural and urban mixes that have effectively deployed TWACS AMI systems. The technology employs existing power-line infrastructure to deliver industry-leading read rates over 99% as reported by customers. Its technology seamlessly integrates into existing substations without adding additional points of failure to the system such as towers, repeaters or line conditioners.

For more information, visit www.aclara.com.