We're nearing the end of our list of reader-nominated Smart Grid Companies to Watch – but we're not done yet!  We're now on our 7th installment with two more installments still to come. Scroll down to see which companies are highlighted today and vote for the one you think should move to the next round. (Once you've voted the poll data will disappear.) If you missed previous installments, they are all linked at the bottom of the page. How it works: Readers nominated companies they think should be on our radar in 2013 -- .

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companies with the potential to be this year's smart grid superstars. We are presenting six reader nominations each day - along with daily quick polls - until we

Note: In many cases what you see below is a condensed version of the nomination that was sent in since many folks had trouble limiting their nominations to a single paragraph. You should also know that we have not verified the accuracy of information contained in nominations.

AutoGrid Systems -- The company’s Energy Data Platform (EDP) mines data on the physical structure of the grid, historical usage patterns and other metrics to provide utilities, grid operators, service companies and large industrial users with accurate, granular and dynamic forecasts for power consumption and availability that in turn allow them to execute demand response events, balance capacity or take other actions in real time securely and safely. The company’s Demand Response Optimization and Management System (DROMS), a cloud-based demand response service based on EDP, costs 90 percent less to implement than traditional demand response services and increases the energy yield by 30 percent. City of Palo Alto Utilities has employed DROMS to curb 1.2 megawatts from its peak loads. Other customers and partners include SAP, ARPA-E, the California Energy Commission and Sacramento Municipal Utilities District. AutoGrid Systems>>

Cisco -- Cisco is seeing strong customer and partner momentum due to growing electric utility adoption of its GridBlocks architecture. They’ve established an industry leading position with grid networking solutions for standards based interoperability and cybersecurity. In addition to existing solutions for substations, distribution networks, grid operations and IT operations, this year they will be expanding their portfolio with solutions for utility operational telecom networks, incident response /workforce enablement, substation focused design suite, and additional tools for the Cisco Developer Network partners.  Cisco website >>

Enmetric Systems --The low hanging fruit of the traditional DSM portfolio is pretty much picked. There are only so many savings that you can squeeze out of CFLs after all. So, where is the next tranche of savings going to come from? Enmetric Systems is showing the way with their enterprise plug load platform. Plug loads are the fastest growing and most unaddressed energy use in commercial buildings. Enmetric has already proven the technology is capable of saving up to 50 percent of plug load consumption with a number of blue chip companies and the government. And talk about smart. The platform is one of the fastest and most powerful means to manage data, analyze energy consumption, and operationalize it with real-time results. In 2013, I predict Enmetric Systems will double in size, with their early customers putting in much larger orders and new customers, especially utilities and ESCOs, gravitating towards this approach. I also believe that companies like Enmetric will be critical for peak load management and other applications in the future. Enmetric Systems website>>

Space-Time Insight -- Now more than ever, an ability to quickly understand and embrace all the factors impacting power generation, transmission and distribution is absolutely vital. This has been, and continues to be, the driving mission behind Space-Time Insight’s suite of situational intelligence solutions for utilities. Specifically designed to help organizations harness the ever-growing volumes of “big data” essential to real-time operations, Space-Time Insight’s software incorporates innovative geospatial and visual analytics that are empowering organizations like the California ISO, Southern California Edison, Hydro One and other major utilities around the globe to anticipate, correlate and respond in real-time to daily operational challenges and crisis situations. In 2013, the company plans to add even richer visualization and analytical capabilities to its big data analytics software and further leverage its technology partnerships to help utilities get their arms around the big data that goes hand-in-hand with big industry evolution. Space-Time Insight website >>

Structure has been and continues to be a partner of OG&E for our Smart Grid program.  From the beginning, Structure has brought skilled resources with deep expertise to assist with a variety of tasks.  Including:  developing our business case, managing our program, subject matter expertise in DMS, DA, and Demand Response.  During our partnership with Structure there are two things I have come to appreciate.  The first is that they truly partner with OG&E and always act in our best interest.  Second is that they bring innovative ideas to the table that are not recycled from other projects.  The work on our demand reduction projects is truly innovative. Structure website >>

Tollgrade Communications -- Whether it’s providing fault information to more quickly dispatch crews, recording load logging information to balance distribution networks or substations, or gaining proactive intelligence to optimize efficiency, Tollgrade is helping utilities solve the real-world challenges that impact the reliability of the distribution grid. Tollgrade has been one of the best kept secrets in the smart grid and is just beginning to emerge as a break-out company in 2013 with successful pilots running at over six of North America’s largest utilities including Duke, Toronto Hydro and CenterPoint. The addressable market for the solution grows with deployments beginning in South America, the UK and Europe. The company is seeing an increased demand for pilots and is on track to double their revenue in just the first half of 2013. Backed by the financial strength of a multi-billion dollar private equity firm, Tollgrade can continue to increase its market presence and product portfolio in the smart grid space in 2013. Tollgrade Communications website >>