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Cisco is expanding its foray into the smart grid with plans to acquire Arch Rock. The San Francisco-based startup is developing wireless-networking equipment for the electrical grid.

The emphasis in alternative energy used to be on new ways to generate power. Now, it's on finding better ways to conserve it and make the power grid more efficient. The so-called smart grid is key to that goal, and fortunes will be spent -- and made -- on making it a reality.