EDMI Limited (“EDMI”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Osaki Electric Co., Ltd. (“the Company”), has launched a field trial using EDMI smart meters in collaboration with a U.S. electric utility as part of preparations to enter the U.S. market.
In this field trial, EDMI smart meters will be installed at residential and commercial premises served by Central Rural Electric Cooperative (“CREC”), an electric utility in central Oklahoma, and their performance will be compared with meters from other manufacturers already installed at the sites.
・ Osaki Electric Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Tokyo; President & COO: Mitsuyasu Watanabe)
・ EDMI Limited (Head Office: Singapore; Group CEO& Director: Roy Kirsopp)
・ Central Rural Electric Cooperative (Head Office: Oklahoma, U.S.: CEO: Shane Burgess)
EDMI smart meter installed at a customer’s premises
I. Background to the Field Trial
In the United States, data center construction is accelerating with advances in AI technology, making it increasingly important to secure adequate electricity supply. Against this backdrop, investment is expanding not only to address rising electricity demand, but also in next-generation AMI 2.0*1, which strengthens grid control and enables more advanced electricity metering, monitoring, and control.
In light of this market environment, OSAKI Group has been assessing the commercial viability of the U.S. market since FY2025 and will commence field trials with multiple electric utilities during FY2026.
*1 AMI 2.0 (Advanced Metering Infrastructure): A framework that collects data measured by smart meters, such as electricity consumption, through a communications network and enables more advanced control of the grid (distribution network).
II. Overview of the Field Trial
The field trial will use EDMI smart meters to collect and analyze data such as electricity usage. Data acquired by the smart meters will be collected and managed through “Storm”*2 software platform. In addition, edge intelligence*3 will be used to analyze electricity usage and power quality data at the edge of the distribution network, and its effectiveness in improving visibility and enabling more advanced operation of the power grid will be evaluated.
Through the field trial, CREC will evaluate effectiveness of the system in improving distribution network operations and consider how the system could be used following deployment. EDMI will assess the benefits of deployment for U.S. electric utilities and build knowledge to support future business development in the U.S. market.
*2 “Storm”: EDMI’s cloud-based platform for collecting and managing smart meter data and enabling remote monitoring and controlling of connected meters.
*3 Edge intelligence: A function that uses smart meters located at the edge of the distribution network to analyze data such as electricity usage and power quality, enabling localized control and contributing to more advanced and optimized operation of the power grid.
・ Implementing company: Central Rural Electric Cooperative
・ Location: Oklahoma, U.S. (premises served by CREC)
・ Scope: Installation of EDMI smart meters, collection and analysis of electricity data, and evaluation of deployment benefits
III. Commercial Viability Assessment Schedule for Entry into the U.S. Market
To prepare for entry into the U.S. market, the OSAKI Group opened an office in the United States in 2025 and is conducting marketing activities, including U.S. market analysis and efforts to identify prospective customers. From FY2026 through FY2027, the Group will conduct field trials with multiple U.S. electric utilities while beginning development of the next-generation smart meter “NEOS” compliant with the U.S. ANSI standard. The Group plans to assess commercial viability in FY2027. If sufficient profitability is confirmed, it will complete development of solutions for the U.S. market and begin full-scale sales activities in FY2028, aiming for revenue contributions from that fiscal year onward.
<Commercial Viability Assessment Schedule>
IV. Comments from CREC and EDMI Management
Shane Burgess, CEO of CREC:
We are pleased to collaborate with EDMI in evaluating next-generation metering technology. Through this trial, we will assess how improved data access and visibility can contribute to the reliability of the electric system and better service for our customers.
Roy Kirsopp, Group CEO & Director of EDMI:
This project marks an important milestone in building EDMI’s business foundation in the U.S. market. Through our work with CREC, we will draw on more than 45 years of experience in smart metering solutions to support CREC’s evaluation of next-generation AMI capabilities, while deepening our understanding of the needs of electric utilities and the communities they serve.
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