1. A system, comprising: a plurality of grid sensors in a utility grid configured to generate grid data values as raw grid data values and to communicate the grid data values using a communication network; a plurality of distributed grid devices in the utility grid configured to receive grid data values from the grid sensors, one or more of the plurality of grid devices configured to convert the raw grid data values into layered network services that are universally available to different types of utility grid applications; and a plurality of application devices in the utility grid configured to access the converted grid data values from the distributed grid devices, wherein the converted grid data values are further processed by a particular grid application operating at the corresponding application device into application data values.