With the Smart Grid getting continuous media play and the Obama administration putting more cash on the table (latest this week is $30 billion in loan guarantees for renewable energy projects), big business is stepping up to lay its claim.
Cisco started talking about its intentions a few months ago, but is now filtering out statement about the data deluge that will turn infrastructure networks into more of a traditonal data network. Cisco’s taking a medium range view, since the National Academies are forecasting that although it will take years to fully realize the smart grid, the next ten years are crucial.
The other big player to put a stake in the ground this week is Intel. You know, the folks inside all of our computers. Their VC arm commited $10 million to five companies focused on energy efficiency. This is part of their overall Intel Open Energy Initiative, which “aligns and mobilizes Intel and its partners around the application of technology and open standards to accelerate the global transition to smart energy.”
This is all in the context of GE ‘kicking’ off the year with a Smart Grid Superbowl ad.
The grid business is getting serious. Will be interesting to see where real savings, security and reliability will come into play as ease on down this road over the next decade.
