Martin LaMonica

The first crack at vital smart-grid technical standards are due next year and some companies are already gumming up the works by pushing their own networking technology.

General Electric unveiled a project at its research labs that will let homeowners cut annual energy consumption to zero by 2015. These "net-zero energy homes" will combine on-site power generation...

Building the smart grid means adding computer and communications technology to the existing electricity grid. With an overlay of digital technology, the grid promises to operate more efficiently and reliably.

Trilliant on Thursday said it has acquired SkyPilot Networks to bring broadband wireless networking to utility smart-grid programs. The acquisition of SkyPilot Networks, which used to sell municipal Wi-Fi systems, will allow Trilliant to offer utilities a way to build a private broadband network.

Cisco sees a $100 billion market opportunity in the smart grid. The company make communications equipment for the electricity grid -- everything from routers in grid substations to home energy controllers.

The City of Miami announced a proposal on Monday to install 1 million two-way "smart meters" to all Miami residents over the next two years in what would be the most comprehensive smart-grid program in the US.

Verizon Communications is exploring ways to use its FiOS broadband service to give consumers ways to remotely control their thermostat and view their energy usage. Company engineers are now designing applications, including energy management, to work with the routers that come with its FiOS service.

If you ask Andy Kruse, the CEO of wind turbine maker Southwest Windpower, about technology, he's more likely to talk about software and WiMax than turbine blades or inverters. In addition to better financial incentives for clean-energy generation, Kruse is also advocating that federal dollars are spent on better renewable energy software and Internet connectivity in rural areas.