A “society” of devices? Beautiful.

“GridWise seeks to modernize the nation’s electric system – from central generation to customer appliances and equipment – and create a collaborative network filled with information and abundant market-based opportunities. Through GridWise, we can weave together the most productive elements of our traditional infrastructure with new, seamless plug-and-play technologies. Using advanced telecommunications, information and control methods, we can create a “society” of devices that functions as an integrated, transactive system.”

http://www.gridwiseexpo.com/2006/na/default.asp