Part 4: Introducing 5 more 2012 Smart Grid Companies to Watch contenders

We’re almost through our list of contenders in our annual Smart Grid Companies to Watch search. Below and on page 2 you'll see our fourth installment – 5 more companies that made it through the first cut and into the voting round. Tomorrow we'll present the "final 4" contenders, so be sure to check back. And if you missed the first three installments, you can find them on page 2. Next week: The voting begins!

HOW IT WORKS: Our team reviewed all of the nominations submitted by readers (and there were more than ever!) and we did a preliminary sort. Posted below is the fourth set of smart grid companies that made the cut and will proceed into the voting round. What you'll see below are abbreviated versions of the text that was provided by the person who nominated the company. We have not verified the information for accuracy. Typically we would, but in this case we wanted you to see what the reader said. After we're done listing all of the 2012 contenders, we'll ask you to vote for the 12 finalists.

Calico Energy: Calico has carved out an entirely new market segment with its Energy Intelligence Suite - the Unified Operations Center. This modular energy management platform connects data, devices, software engines and applications to provide a single view of energy. This centralized solution enables utilities to improve decision making and gain insight through advanced analytics and forecasting capabilities. Based on these insights, utilities can then create and execute diverse demand side management programs to realize operational improvements and reduce risk. With two new smart grid experts added to the advisory board, Calico is primed for rapid market expansion. Learn more about Calico Energy >>

Sensei Solutions: We have worked with Sensei on a number of projects for real-time condition-based monitoring for high-value assets in the electric grid. Sensei's unique approach and software solution allows them to rapidly deploy their CIP-compliant solution to create a predictive and collaborative maintenance environment for generation, transmission and distribution assets. Their solution takes condition-based maintenance to the next level, aggregating real-time data, predictive algorithms, and tribal knowledge to achieve the optimum operational efficiency and reliability of assets. This reduces costs, improves compliance and, most importantly, increases the reliability of the already aging smart grid assets. Learn more about Sensei Solutions >>

Siemens AG: With its smart grid division in the newly established Infrastructure & Cities sector, Siemens is expected to make a real boom in the smart grid market in 2012. The division provides complete range of products, solutions and services for protection, automation, planning, control, monitoring and diagnostics of grid infrastructure. Software and end-to-end solutions from Enterprise IT up to smart metering are supported as well. Learn more about Siemens >>