Those demand spikes are unavoidable mini-disasters for energy companies -- their own grid doesn't have the power on hand, and the utility has to buy it elsewhere -- competing with other utilities trying to keep the lights on for their customers.

CNN: Nest's plan to stop brownouts before they start

Meanwhile, the FDA approved the world's first bionic eye and biotech researchers developed a painless sugar-covered vaccine bandage that could replace needles and doesn't require refrigeration -- which opens up groundbreaking applications for off-grid locations in the developing world.

ENGADGET: Inhabitat's Week in Green: Biobot, Nintendo Power Glove and an inflatable bathroom bubble

But ubiquitous silicon and broadband have suddenly made such second-by-second tinkering with demand possible, and the idea of upgrading the century-old electric grid to make it more efficient isn't so crazy anymore.

FORBES: Magazine Article

"In terms of energy efficiency and conservation, just installing a smart meter isn't going to have much effect, " says Greg Guthridge, a smart-grid consultant with Accenture.

FORBES: Energy

But even dewy-eyed optimists don't predict the addition of many more nukes on the global grid within the next decade.

FORBES: Yellowcake Fever

As with the homepage, the layout isn't much to look at -- it's laid out in a basic 3-by-4 grid.

ENGADGET: Sony Reader PRS-T2 review: same old e-reader, new and (mostly) improved design

Instead of selling individual units, they would offer a low-power system that relied on a solar cell or car battery in remote areas that didn't have grid electricity.

FORBES: Magazine Article