Liberty Lake-based Itron Inc. is partnering with Singapore-based smart metering company EDMI Ltd. to develop and launch a new smart gas meter for use in the United Kingdom. The meter uses Itron’s Intelis platform and ultrasonic measuring technology in concert with EDMI’s firmware.

Itron is committed to supporting the expansion of smart metering technology in the U.K., Justin Patrick, Itron senior vice president of device solutions, says in a press release.

“Through this collaboration, we have combined Itron’s innovative metrology with EDMI’s industry leading SMETS2-compliant firmware, giving utilities an additional choice for their gas meter provider,” Patrick says in the release.

A representative of Itron couldn’t be reached immediately for comment.

SMETS, or Smart Metering Equipment Technical Specifications, is the industry standard specification system for smart meters. The second version, SMETS2, communicates over a government data network, rather than the 3G sim cards that were standard in the first version.

Itron also announced last week that it has completed the first phase of launching a wastewater management project for the Miami-Dade County Water & Sewer Department, of Miami.

Itron partnered in developing the new measuring technology with Santa Ana, California-based utility services provider Utility Systems, Science & Software Inc., known as US3, and Avon Park, Florida-based flow meter distribution company The Avanti Co. The technology uses real-time data from US3 combined with Itron’s experience in internet of things to address sewer overflows and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In general, the internet of things refers to everyday devices with internet-enabled computing technology embedded in them, essentially enabling those devices to communicate data.

“Our partnership with US3 enhances our vibrant and growing portfolio of solutions for smarter, safer, more sustainable communities,” Sharelynn Moore, Itron senior vice president of networked solutions, says in the release.

Itron announced May 4 that net income for the first quarter of 2020 was $9 million, or 21 cents per share, as compared with a net loss of $2 million, or a loss of 5 cents per share, in the first quarter of 2019.

The earnings increase was driven by improved operating income and a lower effective tax rate, the company said in its earnings release.