ATLANTA (AP) — General Electric Co. is buying Opal Software to help bolster its so-called "smart grid" business, the company said Thursday.
A smart grid allows utility companies to run their systems more efficiently by monitoring their customers' electricity demand in real time.
GE, which provides equipment for setting up such energy grids, says Opal's software will help customers speed the roll-out of new technology.
Opal, a privately held company based in Australia, will also give it a bigger operational footprint in the Asia Pacific region, GE said.
