Itron Inspire
Building an Open Ecosystem at the Grid Edge: Itron’s First App-a-Thon
October 29, 2026
What could utilities create with a faster way to develop and test applications for the grid edge?
Six utilities explored that question during Itron’s first App-a-Thon, a virtual development event held from Sept. 14 through Oct. 20. Using Itron’s new Virtual Software Development Kit, participating teams developed edge applications for Itron’s distributed intelligence platform before coming together at Itron Inspire 2026 to showcase their work.
Hosted by Itron, with Premiere Sponsor SEW.AI and Advisory Sponsor Infosys, the event gave utilities an opportunity to turn their ideas into working prototypes and explore new possibilities for applications at the grid edge.
Teams worked virtually throughout the event before presenting their applications at Itron Inspire on Oct. 19. Awards were announced the following morning and participants spent the day sharing with peers about their experience.
A New Way to Explore Grid-Edge Applications
Utilizing the same development environment, a handful of simulated datasets, and a virtual meter emulator, each team approached the challenge from a different starting point and worked to explore how an edge application could address a specific utility need. Some participants said their first reaction was “deer in the headlights” while others felt more “kid in a candy store” as they got to work with the resources provided by Itron.
Following the showcase and judging, an awards presentation in the knowledge center on Oct. 20th marked the conclusion of the inaugural App-a-Thon. Itron recognized the teams and applications that stood out during the inaugural event:
- Last Mile Award – Tampa Electric
- Selected as the most ready to advance beyond the App-a-Thon and become a real product.
- Digital Pathfinder Award – Duquesne Light Company (“DLC SMOC”)
- Recognized for using an insightful detection algorithm to solve the lost meter challenge in a single day.
- AI in Action Award – PG&E (“California Edge”)
- Recognized for effectively using AI to harness edge data and deliver clear business value for the utility.
- Edge DERMS Excellence Award – Southern Company (“Southern Edge Avengers”)
- Recognized for using edge compute and analysis to address challenges associated with emerging grid capabilities.
- Customer Impact Award – Nova Scotia Power (“NSP Navigators”)
- Recognized for putting conservation and savings opportunities directly in customers’ hands (literally).
- The Meter Whisperer Award – Gainesville Regional Utilities (“GRU Guards”)
- Recognized for exploring creative use of meter capabilities.
Expanding the Open Ecosystem
The needs of the grid continue to evolve, and the applications required to address them will not come from one organization alone. Utilities and partners bring different experiences, priorities and ideas to the development process.
Itron’s first App-a-Thon may have concluded, but the applications developed during the event offer a starting point for what comes next: more utility-driven ideas, more opportunities to experiment and a growing ecosystem at the grid edge.
A huge thank you to all the participating teams, sponsors and volunteers who made the 2026 App-a-Thon a success. It may have been the first, but it certainly won’t be the last. See you next year!
Shaun Brown joined Itron in 2015, coming from a background of technical writing, journalism, publishing and parenting. Out of college, Shaun began her career in the technology sector at IBM San Jose where she developed online documentation and training modules. After five years, Shaun left the bay area, and shifted to a full-time role as mother of 5. As the children grew, Shaun and her husband started a publishing business which included the weekly Liberty Lake Splash newspaper and community directory. Once all five children headed off to college, Shaun joined Itron at the Liberty Lake headquarters. Initial projects included customer-facing documentation highlighting Itron solutions for municipalities and utilities. In 2017, Shaun was invited to join the Itron Idea Labs team, where she employs lean startup methodologies in the search for new businesses and solutions to resolve challenges faced by Itron’s customers.
Shaun Brown joined Itron in 2015, coming from a background of technical writing, journalism, publishing and parenting. Out of college, Shaun began her career in the technology sector at IBM San Jose where she developed online documentation and training modules. After five years, Shaun left the bay area, and shifted to a full-time role as mother of 5. As the children grew, Shaun and her husband started a publishing business which included the weekly Liberty Lake Splash newspaper and community directory. Once all five children headed off to college, Shaun joined Itron at the Liberty Lake headquarters. Initial projects included customer-facing documentation highlighting Itron solutions for municipalities and utilities. In 2017, Shaun was invited to join the Itron Idea Labs team, where she employs lean startup methodologies in the search for new businesses and solutions to resolve challenges faced by Itron’s customers.
