Tech Pioneers

Bringing the Internet to Utilities

Silver Spring Networks

Redwood City, Calif.
Sector: Energy
Scott Lang, President and CEO
Age: 44

Imagine merging an energy-distribution network with an information network. Startup Silver Spring Networks has created exactly that: an infrastructure for gas, electric, and water utilities called the Smart Energy Network that promises to improve efficiency while lowering costs by simplifying and improving management of energy resources. This more effective grid could cut the growth of worldwide energy consumption by more than half over the next 15 years and drastically reduce carbon emissions.