In case you haven't noticed, the smart grid is turning into the world's first example of machine-to-machine (M2M) at scale.
Already the M2M world has spawned technologies of great value to electric power. One of the most interesting we've seen lately is a tool from a Pennsylvania company with potential to improve utility operations in ways we never imagined.
ThingWorx assumes connectivity. It focuses on building applications that take advantage of that connectivity, calling itself an "application development platform for the connected world."