Part 5: Meet the final 4 contenders in our Smart Grid Companies to Watch search

Today we're featuring the fifth and final installment in our series highlighting the companies up for consideration as 2012 Smart Grid Companies to Watch. You'll find the final four companies below.  Be sure to stay tuned; you'll have an opportunity to vote for the company you think most belongs in the 12 in 2012 next week. And if you missed any of the installments along the way, you'll find them on page 2 along with links to our 2011 and 2010 winners.

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 fifth and final 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.

On-Ramp Wireless: On-Ramp Wireless will be a company to watch in 2012 not only because of its unique wireless communication technology, but also because of its great impact to enable a broader vision for the entire smart grid industry.  On-Ramp’s Ultra-Link Processing (ULP) wireless communication system, a technology invented by On-Ramp, is capable of monitoring and controlling hundreds of thousands of devices with a minimum of radio communications infrastructure. The system enables secure, wide-area, low cost and industry leading coverage and capacity, even for hard-to-reach powered or battery-operated meters and sensors connecting to utility and other industrial applications. The company’s technology is continuing to expand to different markets via partnerships and customers throughout 2012 and beyond. Learn more about On-Ramp Wireless >>

S&C Electric: S&C, though it's not a breakout company, is going to be the market leader in the smart grid arena. They have the financials, the positive customer perception, and the foresight to have the products and services to outshine all others. Additionally, with the entrance into the radio communications realm, they're so far in front of the competition. I put my money on S&C! Learn more about S&C Electric >>

Space-Time Insight: It’s no surprise that Big Data analytics are showing up on a number of industry followers’ “top trends” lists — the deployment of smart meters, integration of renewable power sources, increasing loads and the ever present risk of a potential crisis situation means that power companies need to collect, analyze and understand more information than ever. Space-Time Insight’s suite of situational intelligence solutions were designed specifically to help utilities tackle the volume, complexity and real-time pressures involved in managing data-intensive enterprises like smart grids. Our visual analytics and geospatial technology empowers users to see and make decisions about what’s happening throughout their operations — fast. Learn more about Space-Time Insight >>

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Tendril: I think Tendril is poised to capture huge residential penetration due to the number of utility pilots moving from pilot to production in 2012. Also their new consumer applications that will engage homeowners to control and manage their own energy consumption will actually demonstrate significant reduction of energy and make this a significant player for the industry. Learn more about Tendril >>

Next page: More 2012 contenders and previous winners >>