Hard to believe, but scientists at Clemson University and partners are growing neurons in petri dishes with the goal of using them to control the smart grid. Click for more on how they're making control systems more brain-like so they can carry out real-time control of complex systems.

Every so often we highlight clever, unusual or just plain cool things electric utilities do to engage and educate their customers or help out in their communities. Click for a look at our latest list - there may be a few ideas you want to borrow.

The retail giant just made a mind-blowing announcement about its energy strategy - and it's not just a PR stunt to tout what it's doing to help the environment. It's about what Walmart is doing to save big bucks on its power bills. If you haven't worried about the antiquated utility business model before, this ought to do it. Find out why.

Utilities in many states are hamstrung when it comes to grid upgrades and improvements because there's no guarantee they will get paid for their work until after it is completed... that is, if it is approved. We're glad to see the Missouri legislature is considering a bill to eliminate that serious obstacle.

Energias de Portugal has announced that renewable energy supplied 70% of total consumption in Q1 2013. Even with favorable weather and unexpectedly low demand, that's quite a benchmark. But there's another factor that gives Portugal an advantage.

Another round of funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will support smart grid initiatives and other electric system upgrades in rural areas in 13 states. Click to see where the money is going and how it will be spent.

In announcing a new collaboration between Siemens and Teradata in the data analytics space, the companies hint at new offerings that will be purpose-built for the electric power industry.

Paul Michael Grant is an esteemed researcher and electric power veteran who has long promoted the idea of using electric power transmission corridors for dual purposes, namely the delivery of electric power AND liquid hydrogen. In today's guest commentary, he explains how the shale gas explosion makes this scenario even more plausible. See if you agree.

There's plenty of chatter about microgrids, but only a few actual installations. So what will it take for the market to take off? Some believe increased attention on grid reliability in the wake of superstorms such as Sandy will be the key, but we think several factors may converge.

The Union of Concerned Scientists has released a report that says not only is renewable energy growing rapidly, but we have the tools to make it grow even faster - with existing technologies and without significant cost.

Despite the odds, renewable energy not only grew in 2012, but may have set in motion a repeat performance this year and into the near future. AOL Energy's Peter Gardett has the details of a recent Deloitte overview of mergers and acquisitions in the renewables sector.

In this Intel podcast, Erich Gunther of Enernex covers the hot topics in grid modernization, touching on disaster response, utility core and ICT infrastructure, reliability assessment, interoperability, standards, big data and cybersecurity.

U.S. Senate Energy Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) offers his perspective on the opportunities and challenges in the smart grid during the Edison Foundation's "Powering the People" event.

This Silver Spring Networks webcast highlights how Baltimore Gas & Electric leveraged smart grid technology during Hurricane Sandy. Benefits discussed include greater visibility into affected areas and ease in locating and rerouting power around trouble spots.

An Australian research center has raised a red flag over widespread and increasing use of cloud services with the message that it will be the cause of a "massive surge" in energy consumption. And it's not the data centers - it's the wireless networks connected to them.

A review of the global energy storage market by GBI Research forecasts steady growth through 2020, which is probably driven by continuing smart grid infrastructure initiatives, increasing energy demand, more government support and a steady stream of technological advances.

If you remember the "Where's Waldo?" series, this week's smart grid wins are popping up here, there and everywhere just like the bespectacled Waldo did. Examples: Ventyx in Germany, Hill International in Afghanistan, ABB in China and Honeywell in Kuwait. And that's just getting started; click to take the full tour.

Some new twists on energy generation and storage technologies look like solid bets - and others may be destined for a very short stint in the spotlight. Click for a look at a few intriguing projects currently in R&D mode and see if you think any of them have staying power.

New transformer standards from the Department of Energy toughen up rules for transformers used in buildings but leave mandates for distribution transformers used by utilities largely unchanged. We agree with energy efficiency advocates who say the DOE called it wrong. Click to find out why.

President Obama has proposed a fiscal year 2014 budget that makes it clear he continues to strongly support clean energy investment. While the proposed budget's chances for approval may be minimal in its current form, it calls for more government spending for EVs, wind energy, biofuels and other green technologies.