TechPulse 360

Network market leader Cisco Systems has made smart grid a priority.

The company believes it is in a unique position to deliver a secure IP-based communications infrastructure from the point of electrical generation all the way to homes and businesses. It is running pilot projects with Florida Power and Light and Yello Strom, and promises a raft of new products early next year.

Cisco will be at every point where the company can enhance the smart grid, says SVP{ Laura Ipsen

“I think you’ll see us at every point where we can enhance the grid,” Senior Vice President Laura Ipsen said Thursday.

Ipsen declined to detail next year’s product releases. But she said at the GreenBeat 2009 conference Cisco’s strategy includes not only internal development and partnerships, but acquisitions.

The company has already run across interesting opportunities, she said – but has not yet pulled the trigger on a smart grid buy.

Cisco, which vows to spend whatever is necessary to strengthen its smart grid standing, is no stranger to acquisitions. It has over the years steadily acquired companies to expand its position in switching and routing and branch into consumer and other markets.

Now that strategy is being turned on the next big network – the electrical one. “I don’t think any one is going to own the smart grid space,” Ipsen said. But Cisco is afraid to use acquisitions to try.