The Future of Energy Is Distributed: Inside Itron Inspire 2025 with Dr. Michael Webber and Ty Roberts

As the energy sector races to meet soaring demand from AI, data centers, and electrification, utilities are confronting a once-in-a-generation inflection point. That urgency, along with a spirited sense of optimism that we’re ready to face these challenges, was palpable at this year’s Itron Inspire conference, where industry leaders gathered to discuss how digitalization, distributed intelligence, and innovation will define the next chapter of the grid.

During my time at the conference, I was fortunate enough to sit for interviews with two key experts guiding the conversation. First, I chatted with Dr. Michael E. Webber, the Sid Richardson Chair in Public Affairs and Cockrell Family Chair in Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, who moderated an exclusive Utility Executive Roundtable right before we chatted. His conversation underscored a clear theme: data, AI, and distributed technology are converging faster than the systems and policies designed to manage them.

“Executives now have more dashboards but fewer insights,” Dr. Webber said. “We need to turn data into action—into improved reliability, scalability, security, better operations, and more resilient service for customers.”

Later, I was able to connect with Ty Roberts, Vice President of Networked Solutions at Itron, who had served as a panelist and noted thought leader throughout the event. Roberts shared with Dr. Webber the focus on doing more with data.

“Utilities move slowly by design, but this data gives them insights they can operationalize today and grow into tomorrow.”

From Buzzwords to Blueprint: AI Meets Grid Reality

According to Dr. Webber, the rise of AI and data centers dominated the conversation at the executive roundtable, but that discussion quickly moved beyond buzzwords and platitudes. He and the utility executives present agreed that AI represents both an operational challenge and a long-term solution.

“Right now, AI is an exacerbant on the problems of the grid,” Dr. Webber noted. “But in the long run, it should offer a lot of solutions and benefits—optimizing operations, extending asset life, and improving forecasting.”

He emphasized that while the hype around data centers is real, the true revolution lies in how AI will help utilities handle rising demand without sacrificing reliability or affordability. “Compared to other innovation waves,” he said, “we don’t have 20 years to figure it out this time.”

Bridging the Workforce and Data Gaps

Both Webber and Roberts also saw the conversation about the human side of this transformation as just as critical as the technological side.

“Executives aren’t thinking, ‘I have AI so I can get rid of people.’ They’re thinking, ‘I can’t get people—AI can help me do more with the team I already have,’” Dr. Webber explained. Roberts shared that sentiment, noting “We’re trying to provide more and better information to the existing workforce.”

Workforce shortages, retirements, and competition from tech firms are reshaping how utilities think about digital tools.

That alignment between workforce and technology was a major theme of Itron Inspire: as utilities deploy more intelligent devices at the grid edge, they’re not just modernizing critical infrastructure—they’re modernizing how people work with it.

The Rise of Distributed Intelligence

A key announcement during the event was the launch of Itron’s Gen6 Network Platform, which Roberts described as “the next evolution of grid connectivity.” It combines end-to-end cellular communications with distributed intelligence that allows devices to make localized decisions—essentially, bringing computing power to the grid edge.

“Traditionally, utilities have worked in a centralized command-and-control model,” Roberts said. “Now, we’re letting devices make small, local decisions—while still reporting back. It’s a shift in mindset, but it unlocks enormous value.”

This distributed processing allows utilities to balance loads dynamically and defer costly infrastructure upgrades. According to Roberts, utilities can squeeze up to 20% more capacity out of existing distribution systems before needing to invest in new poles and wires

AI’s Missing Ingredient: Data

Webber reinforced the connection between platforms like Itron’s and AI’s potential. “Artificial intelligence needs well-curated data to train—and that data doesn’t exist unless you have sensors and meters to collect it,” he said. “This is the foundation upon which AI in utilities will stand.”

Roberts agreed, adding that Itron’s distributed applications are “data generators extraordinaire.” These edge devices collect and process millions of signals per second, identifying patterns that predict outages, faults, or inefficiencies before they occur. It’s the raw intelligence AI will need to evolve from reactive analytics to predictive operations.

Economic Pressure and Regulatory Lag

But innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Rising electricity rates—and the political tension they create—remain front of mind.

“Even without AI, electricity rates are going up,” Dr. Webber said. “We’ve underinvested for decades, and now we’re paying to harden systems, adapt to extreme weather, and meet new loads from EVs and heat pumps. It’s not easy to explain to customers why costs are rising, but that’s the reality.”

Regulatory timelines are also struggling to keep up. “There’s a mismatch in time,” Dr. Webber added. “Innovation is moving faster than policy, and regulators are understandably cautious—they don’t want to make a mistake that raises rates.”

Looking Ahead: Collaboration and Confidence

For all the challenges, both Webber and Roberts struck an optimistic tone about the sector’s trajectory.

“Executives feel the urgency,” Dr. Webber said, “but engineers are by nature optimists. There’s a problem to solve, and we will solve it.”

Roberts offered a similar call to action: “Challenge Itron,” he urged utilities. “Pilot the technology. Talk to peers who are doing it. The biggest breakthroughs are happening where customer, distribution, and data teams work together across silos.”

These notes of optimism underscored the dominant conversations across Itron Inspire 2025: an industry no longer wondering if transformation is coming, but working out how fast it can get there.

To learn more about Itron’s Intelligent Connectivity solutions, visit the solution page.