GE snapped up SNC-Lavalin‘s Energy Controls Systems (ECS) division this week in a bid to shore up its smart grid portfolio. Based in Montreal Canada, the company supplies networked energy monitoring and management control software for electrical utilities.

In a company statement, GE Energy Services’ vice president of GE Energy Services Digital Energy, Bob Gilligan underscored the importance of software’s place in the smart grid. “By adding the flow of information to the flow of power, we can help utilities be more reliable and efficient. We can help consumers understand and manage their electricity usage.”

The terms of the deal were undisclosed, but GE did offer that ECS and its employees will remain in Montreal. In the meantime, GE envisions that ECS power delivery optimization tech will help power companies deliver electricity more efficiently, prevent outages and one day help manage distributed renewable energy sources with, for example, weather forecasting integration. Little by little, GE’s plan to provide a full slate of interoperable smart grid solutions for utilities is falling into place.