Best database for Time Series Data [slightly OT]

[Scott, M Clay]

While this is slightly off-topic in a general sense, it is on-topic from a
Python sense...

What is the best database to use for time-series data?  I work for an
electric utility in Load Research.  Load Research is the study of how
customers and groups of customers use energy.  It deals with large amounts
of time-series data (periodic meter readings on [typically] 15-minute
intervals).  The volume of data would be in the magnitude of 35,000 (for a
single meter) to 35,000,000 (for a group of 1,000 meters) data elements for
a single year.  Obviously, multiple years means more data.

I am looking to take advantage of Python for some of the data processing.
We currently use a package that utilizes Btreive which can be connected to
via ODBC.  However, I would like to know about other alternatives.

Is MySQL well-suited for this task?  What are other Python-able databases?
Which of these are good for time-series data?

Any direction provided will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Clay Scott