The announcement by AES Energy Storage of its new "operating system" for energy storage pledges that it gives utilities the ability to wring maximum performance and efficiency out of their installations without being tied to one type of technology. The AES system also allows utilities to customize their storage systems for different uses – and that means multiple value streams.

The city of New York has launched an exhibit displaying 300 years of its energy history, but its significance lies well beyond an interesting installation to look at. It underscores the importance of the link between a healthy energy infrastructure and a prosperous, growing economy.

We keep hoping to see the last chapter in the convoluted Illinois smart grid story. Could this be it? Both houses of the state legislature this week overrode Gov. Pat Quinn's veto of a bill that will allow ComEd and Ameren to resume smart grid upgrades knowing that they will be compensated for their efforts.

Is the smart grid initiative on the verge of a major transformation? Read the story to find out why a leading manufacturing company's CEO thinks the time is right for the electric industry to merge with other sectors to meet challenges of grid modernization like intermittent renewables and energy storage.

There has been speculation that Boulder, Colorado's possible break up with Xcel Energy to form its own municipal utility could foreshadow a trend toward more similar "secessions." We don't think that's likely, and we tell you why.

Considering the widespread news coverage, including our own, on the increasing number of cyberattacks against electric utilities, survey results that show few are taking measures to defend themselves against the Stuxnet virus are mystifying. Get the details inside.

Plug In America, a plug-in EV advocacy group, said the number of the cars sold would reach 100,000 this week – a number the organization sees as a milestone. It's based on published reports of EV sales.

S&C Electric's Michael Edmonds understands the importance and relevance of smart grids to smart cities. Read the story for his views on the related challenges, from financing to regulatory issues, and how the market and technologies are progressing.

Projects at seven colleges and universities around the U.S. will receive awards from the Department of Energy to better prepare the electricity industry workforce of the future in synchrophasor technology. Click for details on this new program and which schools will be involved.

Smart Grid News has reported frequently on stepped up cyber attacks against U.S. energy infrastructure. According to a Pentagon report, China's military has been behind a number of attacks for several years – and is back at it after a three-month lull.

The U.S. military has been a leading force in renewables for some time as it has embraced and invested heavily in smart grid technologies. Now the U.S. Army and Lockheed Martin have launched the DOD's first grid-connected microgrid, incorporating renewables and energy storage.

National Grid plans to add a Sustainability Hub to its smart grid pilot in Worcester, MA to help educate customers and the community about energy efficiency and emerging technologies. National Grid has gone a long way to get and keep customers involved in the project from the very beginning.

A new poll has found that a majority of Americans – 70% – support infrastructure investment in national security. What does that tell us? That we should be making the connection between the smart grid initiative and national security clear to ratepayers and regulators.

After weeks of delay, the U.S. Senate confirmed physicist Ernest Moniz, President Obama's nominee, as head of the Energy Department Thursday in what was an unusual and surprising unanimous vote considering the political climate in Washington, D.C. We share some reactions from energy industry and environmental groups.

The Energy Future Coalition and the state of Maryland have issued the first report from their Utility 2.0 project on what should be considered in the development of utilities of the future. It offers specifics on key issues, from reliability and grid modernization to customer choice and regulatory changes.

Looking for a deeper understanding of the smart grid? Subject matter experts at Modern Grid Solutions offer introductory smart grid courses online for electric utility personnel, utility executives as well as non-utility personnel and executives. Click for course descriptions and registration information.

Managing the massive amounts of data smart grids make possible isn't the biggest hurdle for utilities, according to the results of an Electric Power Research Institute survey. The really big issue is how to wring quantifiable value out of it.

Scotland has been extremely aggressive in its initiatives to develop a thoroughly optimized smart grid and as much renewable energy as possible. Now the country has its own world-class research center that will tackle transmission line loss and other challenging issues.

Europe has been aggressively developing renewable energy resources, but a study by Siemens and a German technical university found that poor choices have been made in siting renewable energy projects. The result? A tremendous waste of money. Read the story for details on what Siemens recommends to remedy the problem.

Industry events and conferences can help you stay on top of industry trends and technologies and make important contacts. Our calendar is loaded with upcoming events, with links for further details. And be sure to jump to page 2, where you can see the conferences Smart Grid News Chief Analyst Jesse Berst will be attending.