As you all know, we announced a framework contract with Duke in August, under which Duke can purchase Echelon’s NES advanced metering system for all of its areas in which it operates now or in the future. This was a very important win for us, and one that has been a long time in the making. We received an initial order in August for 120,000 meters as part of the framework agreement on top of the approximately As you all know, we announced a framework contract with Duke in August, under which Duke can purchase Echelon’s NES advanced metering system for all of its areas in which it operates now or in the future. This was a very important win for us, and one that has been a long time in the making. We received an initial order in August for 120,000 meters as part of the framework agreement on top of the approximately 100,000 meters we have already shipped.

Volume deployments are expected to begin by the end of this year. Having begun installations in Ohio, Duke has said that it anticipates installations within six months of receiving PUC approval in Indiana. Duke expects about half of its $200 million grant to be spent in Ohio, where it has already received regulatory approval to roll out its next-generation electricity meters.

According to a Duke spokesman, the utilities original plans calls for installation of the new meters over a five-year period with am installation cost of $1 billion to be allocated to the ratepayers. The utility has said it anticipates that the Federal grant will not only mitigate the need for future rate hikes, but also shorten the total timeframe to 3 years. Duke Energy is important to Echelon not only because of the revenue it brings, but also because of the model this installation will set for us in the US market.I we have already shipped.

ABTG Should see BIG orders from Duke from August to end of year. Could be good 3Q #s