BIDDING FOR ENERGY SUPPLY

• US 20040015428A2
• Filed: 01/31/2002
• Published: 01/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Geophonic Networks Inc.
• Original Assignee: Geophonic Networks Inc.
• Inventors: Coyle, William F., Johnson, Jack J.
• Application Number:
  US10/062,798
• Publication Number:
  US 20020091626A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/37
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/04 Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem" market predictions or forecasting for commercial activities G06Q30/0202
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/201 Price look-up processing, e.g. updating
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 15/00 Coin-freed apparatus with meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/008 involving trading of energy or energy transmission rights
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/10 Energy trading, including energy flowing from end-user application to grid
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/12 Billing, invoicing, buying or selling transactions or other related activities, e.g. cost or usage evaluation
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/14 Marketing, i.e. market research and analysis, surveying, promotions, advertising, buyer profiling, customer management or rewards

Abstract

Abstract of the Disclosure

An auction service is provided that stimulates competition between energy suppliers (i.e., electric power or natural gas). A bidding moderator (Moderator) receives offers from competing suppliers specifying the economic terms each is willing to offer to supply end users with electric power or gas (separate auctions). Each supplier receives feedback from the Moderator based on competitors" offers and has the opportunity to adjust its own offers down or up, depending on whether it wants to encourage or discourage additional energy delivery commitments in a particular geographic area or to a particular customer group. Each supplier"s offers can also be changed to reflect each supplier"s capacity utilization. The Moderator designates at least one supplier to provide energy to an end user, with the supplier providing at least a portion of the energy to be used by the end user at an end-user facility during a specific future time interval.

Claims

1. A method for creating an automated bidding process among energy Providers for the benefit of end users in which a moderating computer collects bids from each Provider of a plurality of energy Providers, processes the bids and designates at least one Provider of the plurality of energy Providers to provide energy to at least one end user, based on an economic choice in accordance with auction rules, wherein the method comprises:

a.in the moderating computer, receiving bids to provide energy to the at least one end user, processing the bids in accordance with the auction rules to produce processed bid data, and storing the bids and the processed bid data in a data base of the moderating computer as first end-user set data;

b.in the moderating computer, transmitting at least a portion of the first end-user set data to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers; and

c.in the moderating computer, designating at least one Provider of the plurality of energy Providers to provide energy to the at least one end user, with each designated Provider to supply at least a portion of the energy to be used by the at least one end user at at least one end-user facility during at least a portion of a specific future time interval.

2. Claims 2 through 43 have been cancelled.

3. 44.A method of Claim 1 in which the moderating computer designates at least two Providers of the plurality of energy Providers to provide energy to the at least one end user, with each designated Provider to supply at least a portion of the energy to be used by the at least one end user at at least one end-user facility during the specific future time interval.

4. 45.A method of Claim 1 in which the designated Providers, when their respective commitments are summed, are committed to supply 100% of the energy needed by the at least one end user.

5. 46.A method of Claim 1 in which the auction rules include bid formulation requirements specifying the required elements that must be reflected in the bid for the moderating computer to consider the bid valid.

8. 49.A method of Claim 1 in which the moderating computer transmits historical energy usage data associated with the at least one end user to at least a portion of the plurality of energy providers.

9. 50.A method of Claim 1 in which at least one adjunct computer performs at least a portion of the processing and communications functions of the moderating computer.

10. 51.A method of Claim 1 including, in the moderating computer, transmitting at least a portion of the first end-user set data to the at least one end user.

11. 52.A method of Claim 1 comprising, in the moderating computer, receiving decision rules from an administrator associated with the moderating computer or from the at least one end user, processing at least a portion of the first end-user set data and the decision rules, and designating at least a first designated Provider for the provision of energy to the at least one end user.

12. 53.A method of Claim 1 including, in the moderating computer, transmitting a designation notification to each designated Provider and transmitting to a first DISCO serving the at least one end user at at least a portion of the information contained in the designation notification.

13. 54.A method of Claim 1 in which the moderating computer transmits at least a portion of the first end-user set data to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers subsequent to designating at least a first designated Provider to provide energy to the at least one end user.

14. 55.A method of Claim 1 in which at least a first designated Provider is designated by the moderating computer to supply a specific quantity or block of energy.

15. 56.A method of Claim 1 in which at least a first designated Provider is designated by the moderating computer as a default Provider or a contract Provider.

131. 173.A method of Claim 1 including, in the moderating computer, notifying a first DISCO serving the at least one end user of the designation of at least a first designated Provider to provide energy to the at least one end user.

16. 57.A method for creating an automated bidding process among energy Providers for the benefit of end users in which a moderating computer collects bids from each Provider of a plurality of energy Providers, processes the bids and designates at least one Provider of the plurality of energy Providers to provide energy to at least one end user, based on an economic choice in accordance with auction rules, wherein the method comprises:

a.the moderating computer, receiving bids to provide energy to the at least one end user, processing the bids in accordance with the auction rules to produce processed bid data, and storing the bids and the processed bid data in a data base of the moderating computer as first end-user set data;

b.the moderating computer, transmitting at least a portion of the first end-user set data to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers;

c.the moderating computer, designating at least one Provider of the plurality of energy Providers to provide energy to the at least one end user, with each designated Provider to supply at least a portion of the energy to be used by the at least one end user at at least one end-user facility during at least a portion of a specific future time interval; and

d.in the moderating computer, or in a first DISCO serving the at least one end user, or in an independent meter reading service entity, transmitting periodic usage reports associated with the at least one end user to at least a first designated Provider.

25. 66.A method for creating an automated bidding process among energy Providers for the benefit of end users in which a moderating computer collects bids from each Provider of a plurality of energy Providers, processes the bids and communicates with a first control computer, thereby enabling the first control computer to designate at least one Provider of the plurality of energy Providers to provide energy to the at least one end user, based on an economic choice in accordance with auction rules, wherein the method comprises:

a.the moderating computer, receiving bids to provide energy to the at least one end user, processing the bids in accordance with the auction rules to produce processed bid data, and storing the bids and the processed bid data in a data base of the moderating computer as first control computer data;

b.the moderating computer, transmitting at least a portion of the first control computer data to the first control computer;

c.the moderating computer or the first control computer, transmitting at least a portion of the first control computer data to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers;

d.the first control computer, designating at least one Provider of the plurality of energy Providers to provide energy to the at least one end user, with each designated Provider to supply at least a portion of the energy to be used by the at least one end user at at least one end-user facility during at least a portion of a specific future time interval; and

e.in the moderating computer, or in the first control computer, or in a first DISCO serving the at least one end user, or in an independent meter reading service entity, transmitting periodic usage reports associated with the at least one end user to at least a first designated Provider.

39. 80.A method for creating an automated bidding process among energy Providers for the benefit of end users in which a moderating computer collects bids from each Provider of a plurality of energy Providers, processes the bids and communicates with a first control computer, thereby enabling the first control computer to designate at least two Providers of the plurality of energy Providers to provide energy to the at least one end user, based on an economic choice in accordance with auction rules, wherein the method comprises:

a.in the moderating computer, receiving bids to provide energy to the at least one end user, processing the bids in accordance with the auction rules to produce processed bid data, and storing the bids and the processed bid data in a data base of the moderating computer as first control computer data;

b.in the moderating computer, transmitting at least a portion of the first control computer data to the first control computer;

c.in the moderating computer or the first control computer, transmitting at least a portion of the first control computer data to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers; and

d.in the first control computer, designating at least two Providers of the plurality of energy Providers to provide energy to the at least one end user, with each designated Provider to supply at least a portion of the energy to be used by the at least one end user at at least one end-user facility during at least a portion of a specific future time interval.

43. 84.An energy bidding moderator for enabling designation of at least one Provider of a plurality of energy Providers for the provision of energy to at least one end user, based on an economic choice in accordance with auction rules, comprising:

a.a computer with a processor and a memory;

b.means for receiving, from each Provider of a plurality of energy Providers, bids to provide energy to at least one end user;

c.means for processing the bids in accordance with the auction rules to produce processed bid data, and storing the bids and the processed bid data in the memory as first end-user set data;

d.means for transmitting at least a portion of the first end-user set data to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers; and

e.means for designating at least one Provider of the plurality of energy Providers to provide energy to the at least one end user, with each designated Provider to supply at least a portion of the energy to be used by the at least one end user at at least one end-user facility during at least a portion of a specific future time interval.

51. 92.A method for conducting an automated bidding process among a plurality of energy Providers for the benefit of end users, based on an economic choice in accordance with auction rules, comprising:

a.collecting, from each Provider of a plurality of energy Providers, bids to provide energy to at least one end user;

b.processing the bids that apply to the at least one end user in accordance with the auction rules;

c.distributing at least a portion of processed bid information to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers;

d.designating, on the basis of the processed bid information, at least one Provider of the plurality of energy Providers to provide energy to the at least one end user, with each designated Provider to supply at least a portion of the energy to be used by the at least one end user at at least one end-user facility during at least a portion of a specific future time interval; and

e.making available periodic usage reports associated with the at least one end user to at least a first designated Provider, thereby enabling the at least a first designated Provider to adjust its energy supply during at least a portion of the specific future time interval in which the at least a first designated Provider supplies at least a portion of the energy to be used by the at least one end user at at least one end-user facility.

60. 101.A method for creating an automated bidding process among energy Providers for the benefit of a set of end users served by a first DISCO, in which a moderating computer collects bids from each Provider of a plurality of energy Providers, processes the bids and designates at least one Provider of the plurality of energy Providers to provide electric power to the set of end users, based on an economic choice in accordance with auction rules, wherein the method comprises:

a.in the moderating computer, receiving bids to provide at least one standard unit or block of electric power to the set of end users, processing the bids in accordance with the auction rules to produce processed bid data, and storing the bids and the processed bid data in a data base of the moderating computer as first DISCO data;

b.in the moderating computer, transmitting at least a portion of the first DISCO data to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers; and

c.in the moderating computer, designating at least one Provider of the plurality of energy Providers to provide electric power to the set of end users, with each designated Provider to supply at least a portion of the electric power to be used by the set of end users at at least one end-user facility during at least a portion of a specific future time interval.

20. 61.A method of Claim 60 in which the moderating computer transmits at least a portion of the auction rules to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers.

21. 62.A method of Claim 60 in which the bid formulation requirements specify that all bids indicate the quantity of energy each Provider will provide, at a specific price, to the at least one end user.

70. 111.A method for creating an automated bidding process among energy Providers for the benefit of a set of end users served by a first DISCO, in which a moderating computer collects bids from each Provider of a plurality of energy Providers, processes the bids and designates at least one Provider of the plurality of energy Providers to provide electric power to the set of end users, based on an economic choice in accordance with auction rules, wherein the method comprises:

a.in the moderating computer, receiving bids to provide at least one standard unit or block of electric power to the set of end users, processing the bids in accordance with the auction rules to produce processed bid data, and storing the bids and the processed bid data in a data base of the moderating computer as first DISCO data;

b.in the moderating computer, transmitting at least a portion of the first DISCO data to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers;

c.in the moderating computer, designating at least one Provider of the plurality of energy Providers to provide electric power to the set of end users, with each designated Provider to supply at least a portion of the electric power to be used by the set of end users at at least one end-user facility during at least a portion of a specific future time interval; and

d.in the moderating computer, or in the first DISCO, or in an independent meter reading service entity, transmitting periodic usage reports associated with the set of end users to at least a first designated Provider.

80. 121.A method for creating an automated bidding process among energy Providers for the benefit of a set of end users served by a first DISCO, in which a moderating computer collects bids from each Provider of a plurality of energy Providers, processes the bids and communicates with a first control computer, thereby enabling the first control computer to designate at least one Provider of the plurality of energy Providers to provide electric power to the set of end users, based on an economic choice in accordance with auction rules, wherein the method comprises:

a.in the moderating computer, receiving bids to provide at least one standard unit or block of electric power to the set of end users, processing the bids in accordance with the auction rules to produce processed bid data, and storing the bids and the processed bid data in a data base of the moderating computer as first DISCO data;

b.in the moderating computer, transmitting at least a portion of the first DISCO data to the first control computer;

c.in the moderating computer or the first control computer, transmitting at least a portion of the first DISCO data to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers;

d.in the first control computer, designating at least one Provider of the plurality of energy Providers to provide electric power to the set of end users, with each designated Provider to supply at least a portion of the electric power to be used by the set of end users at at least one end-user facility during at least a portion of a specific future time interval; and

e.in the moderating computer, or in the first control computer, or in the first DISCO, or in an independent meter reading service entity, transmitting periodic usage reports associated with the set of end users to at least a first designated Provider.

17. 58.A method of Claim 57 in which the moderating computer designates at least two Providers of the plurality of energy Providers to provide energy to the at least one end user, with each designated Provider to supply at least a portion of the energy to be used by the at least one end user at at least one end-user facility during the specific future time interval.

18. 59.A method of Claim 57 in which the designated Providers, when their respective commitments are summed, are committed to supply 100% of the energy needed by the at least one end user.

19. 60.A method of Claim 57 in which the auction rules include bid formulation requirements specifying the required elements that must be reflected in the bid for the moderating computer to consider the bid valid.

22. 63.A method of Claim 57 in which the moderating computer transmits historical energy usage data associated with the at least one end user to at least a portion of the plurality of energy providers.

23. 64.A method of Claim 57 in which the moderating computer transmits at least a portion of the first end-user set data to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers subsequent to designating at least a first designated Provider to provide energy to the at least one end user.

24. 65.A method of Claim 57 in which at least one adjunct computer performs at least a portion of the processing and communications functions of the moderating computer.

26. 67.A method of Claim 66 including, in the moderating computer or the first control computer, notifying each designated Provider of its designation to provide energy to the at least one end user and notifying the first DISCO of the Provider"s designation.

27. 68.A method of Claim 66 in which the first control computer is a computer adjunct to the moderating computer.

28. 69.A method of Claim 66 comprising, in the first control computer, receiving decision rules from an administrator associated with the first control computer or from the at least one end user, processing at least a portion of the first control computer data and the decision rules, and designating at least a first designated Provider for the provision of energy to the at least one end user.

29. 70.A method of Claim 66 in which the first control computer is operated by the moderating computer, or by the at least one end user, or by a reseller to the at least one end user, or by the first DISCO.

30. 71.A method of Claim 66 in which the first control computer designates at least two Providers of the plurality of energy Providers to provide energy to the at least one end user, with each designated Provider to supply at least a portion of the energy to be used by the at least one end user at at least one end-user facility during the specific future time interval.

31. 72.A method of Claim 66 in which the designated Providers, when their respective commitments are summed, are committed to supply 100% of the energy needed by the at least one end user.

32. 73.A method of Claim 66 in which the auction rules include bid formulation requirements specifying the required elements that must be reflected in the bid for the moderating computer to consider the bid valid.

35. 76.A method of Claim 66 in which the moderating computer or the first control computer transmits historical energy usage data associated with the at least one end user to at least a portion of the plurality of energy providers.

36. 77.A method of Claim 66 in which at least a first designated Provider is designated by the first control computer as a default Provider or a contract Provider.

37. 78.A method of Claim 66 in which the moderating computer or the first control computer transmits at least a portion of the first control computer data to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers subsequent to the first control computer designating at least a first designated provider to provide energy to the at least one end user.

38. 79.A method of Claim 66 in which at least a portion of the processing and communications functions of the moderating computer or the first control computer are performed by one or more adjunct computers.

40. 81. A method of Claim 80 in which the designated Providers, when their respective commitments are summed, are committed to supply 100% of the energy needed by the at least one end user.

41. 82.A method of Claim 80 in which the auction rules include bid formulation requirements specifying the required elements that must be reflected in the bid for the moderating computer to consider the bid valid.

52. 93.A method of Claim 92 in which at least two Providers of the plurality of energy Providers are designated, on the basis of the processed bid information, to provide energy to the at least one end user, with each designated Provider to supply at least a portion of the energy to be used by the at least one end user at at least one end-user facility during the specific future time interval.

53. 94.A method of Claim 92 in which the designated Providers, when their respective commitments are summed, are committed to supply 100% of the energy needed by the at least one end user.

54. 95.A method of Claim 92 in which the auction rules include bid formulation requirements specifying the required elements that must be reflected in the bid for the bid to be considered valid.

57. 98.A method of Claim 92 in which historical energy usage data associated with the at least one end user is distributed to at least a portion of the plurality of energy providers.

58. 99.A method of Claim 92 in which each of Steps a. - e. is accomplished by means of computer processing.

59. 100.A method of Claim 92 in which at least a portion of the processed bid information is distributed to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers subsequent to the designating of at least a first designated Provider to provide energy to the at least one end user.

61. 102.A method of Claim 101 in which the moderating computer designates at least two Providers of the plurality of energy Providers to provide electric power to the set of end users, with each designated Provider to supply at least a portion of the electric power to be used by the set of end users at at least one end-user facility during the specific future time interval.

62. 103.A method of Claim 101 in which the designated Providers, when their respective commitments are summed, are committed to provide the electric power required to supply 100% of the energy needs of the set of end users.

63. 104.A method of Claim 101 in which the auction rules include bid formulation requirements specifying the required elements that must be reflected in the bid for the moderating computer to consider the bid valid.

66. 107.A method of Claim 101 comprising, in the moderating computer, receiving decision rules from an administrator associated with the moderating computer or from the set of end users, processing at least a portion of the first DISCO data and the decision rules, and designating at least a first designated Provider for the provision of electric power to the set of end users.

67. 108. A method of Claim 101 in which the moderating computer transmits at least a portion of the first DISCO data to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers subsequent to designating at least a first designated Provider to provide electric power to the set of end users.

68. 109.A method of Claim 101 in which at least a first designated Provider is designated by the moderating computer as a default Provider or a contract Provider.

69. 110.A method of Claim 101 in which at least one adjunct computer performs at least a portion of the processing and communications functions of the moderating computer.

92. 134.A method of Claim 133 in which the designated Providers, when their respective commitments are summed, are committed to provide the electric power required to supply 100% of the energy needs of the set of end users.

93. 135.A method of Claim 133 in which the auction rules include bid formulation requirements specifying the required elements that must be reflected in the bid for the moderating computer to consider the bid valid.

94. 136.A method of Claim 135 in which the bid formulation requirements specify that all bids indicate the quantity of standard units or blocks of electric power each Provider will provide, at a specific price, to the set of end users.

96. 138.A moderator of Claim 137 including means for designating at least two Providers of the plurality of energy Providers to provide electric power to the set of end users, with each designated Provider to supply at least a portion of the electric power to be used by the set of end users at at least one end-user facility during the specific future time interval.

97. 139.A moderator of Claim 137 including means for designating at least one Provider committed to provide the electric power required to supply 100% of the energy needs of the set of end users.

98. 140.A moderator of Claim 137 including means for including bid formulation requirements in the auction rules, the bid formulation requirements specifying the required elements that must be reflected in the bid for the moderating computer to consider the bid valid.

101. 143.A moderator of Claim 137 further including means for receiving decision rules from an administrator associated with the moderator or from the set of end users, processing at least a portion of the first DISCO data and the decision rules, and designating at least a first designated Provider for the provision of electric power to the set of end users.

102. 144.A moderator of Claim 137 including means for notifying each designated Provider of its designation to provide electric power to the set of end users and notifying the first DISCO of the Provider"s designation.

103. 145.A moderator of Claim 137 including means for one or more adjunct computers to perform at least a portion of the processing and communications functions of the moderator.

132. 174.A method of Claim 57 including, in the moderating computer, notifying the first DISCO serving the at least one end user of the designation of at least a first designated Provider to provide energy to the at least one end user.

133. 175.A method of Claim 80 including, in the moderating computer or the first control computer, notifying a first DISCO serving the at least one end user of the designation of at least a first designated Provider to provide energy to the at least one end user.

134. 176.A method of Claim 92 including notifying a first DISCO serving the at least one end user of the designation of at least a first designated Provider to provide energy to the at least one end user.

135. 177.A method of Claim 101 including, in the moderating computer, notifying a first DISCO serving the set of end users of the designation of at least a first designated Provider to provide electric power to the set of end users.

136. 178.A method of Claim 133 including, in the moderating computer or the first control computer, notifying a first DISCO serving the set of end users of the designation of at least a first designated Provider to provide electric power to the set of end users.

137. 179.A method of Claim 80 in which the moderating computer or the first control computer transmits at least a portion of the first control computer data to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers subsequent to the first control computer designating at least a first designated Provider to provide energy to the at least one end user.

138. 180.A method of Claim 133 in which the moderating computer or the first control computer transmits at least a portion of the first DISCO data to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers subsequent to the first control computer designating at least a first designated Provider to provide electric power to the set of end users.

91. 133.A method for creating an automated bidding process among energy Providers for the benefit of a set of end users served by a first DISCO, in which a moderating computer collects bids from each Provider of a plurality of energy Providers, processes the bids and communicates with a first control computer, thereby enabling the first control computer to designate at least two Providers of the plurality of energy Providers to provide electric power to the set of end users, based on an economic choice in accordance with auction rules, wherein the method comprises:

a.in the moderating computer, receiving bids to provide at least one standard unit or block of electric power to the set of end users, processing the bids in accordance with the auction rules to produce processed bid data, and storing the bids and the processed bid data in a data base of the moderating computer as first DISCO data;

b. the moderating computer, transmitting at least a portion of the first DISCO data to the first control computer;

c.the moderating computer or the first control computer, transmitting at least a portion of the first DISCO data to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers; and

d.in the first control computer, designating at least two Providers of the plurality of energy Providers to provide electric power to the set of end users, with each designated Provider to supply at least a portion of the electric power to be used by the set of end users at at least one end-user facility during at least a portion of a specific future time interval.

95. 137.An energy bidding moderator for enabling designation of at least one Provider of a plurality of energy Providers for the provision of electric power to a set of end users served by a first DISCO, based on an economic choice in accordance with auction rules, comprising:

a.a computer with a processor and a memory;

b.means for receiving, from each Provider of a plurality of energy Providers, bids to provide at least one standard unit or block of electric power to the set of end users;

c.means for processing the bids in accordance with the auction rules to produce processed bid data, and storing the bids and the processed bid data in the memory as first DISCO data;

d.means for transmitting at least a portion of the first DISCO data to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers; and

e.means for designating at least one Provider of the plurality of energy Providers to provide electric power to the set of end users, with each designated Provider to supply at least a portion of the electric power to be used by the set of end users at at least one end-user facility during at least a portion of a specific future time interval.

55. 96.A method of Claim 95 in which at least a portion of the auction rules are distributed to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers.

56. 97.A method of Claim 95 in which the bid formulation requirements specify that all bids indicate the quantity of energy each Provider will provide, at a specific price, to the at least one end user.

99. 141.A moderator of Claim 140 including means for transmitting at least a portion of the auction rules to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers.

100. 142.A moderator of Claim 140 including means for including bid formulation requirements specifying that all bids indicate the quantity of standard units or blocks of electric power each Provider will provide, at a specific price, to the set of end users.

104. 146.A method for conducting an automated bidding process among a plurality of energy Providers for the benefit of end users, based on an economic choice in accordance with auction rules, comprising:

a.collecting, from each Provider of a plurality of energy Providers, bids to provide at least one standard unit or block of electric power to a set of end users served by a first DISCO;

b. processing the bids that apply to the set of end users in accordance with the auction rules;

c.distributing at least a portion of processed bid information to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers;

d.designating, on the basis of the processed bid information, at least one Provider of the plurality of energy Providers to provide electric power to the set of end users, with each designated Provider to supply at least a portion of the electric power to be used by the set of end users at at least one end-user facility during at least a portion of a specific future time interval; and

e.making available periodic usage reports associated with the set of end users to at least a first designated Provider, thereby enabling the at least a first designated Provider to adjust its electric power supply during at least a portion of the specific future time interval in which the at least a first designated Provider supplies at least a portion of the electric power to be used by the set of end users at at least one end-user facility.

64. 105.A method of Claim 104 in which the moderating computer transmits at least a portion of the auction rules to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers.

65. 106.A method of Claim 104 in which the bid formulation requirements specify that all bids indicate the quantity of standard units or blocks of electric power each Provider will provide, at a specific price, to the set of end users.

105. 147.A method of Claim 146 in which at least two Providers of the plurality of energy Providers are designated, on the basis of the processed bid information, to provide electric power to the set of end users, with each designated Provider to supply at least a portion of the electric power to be used by the set of end users at at least one end-user facility during the specific future time interval.

106. 148.A method of Claim 146 in which the designated Providers, when their respective commitments are summed, are committed to provide the electric power required to supply 100% of the energy needs of the set of end users.

107. 149.A method of Claim 146 in which the auction rules include bid formulation requirements specifying the required elements that must be reflected in the bid for the bid to be considered valid.

108. 150.A method of Claim 149 in which at least a portion of the auction rules are distributed to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers.

109. 151.A method of Claim 149 in which the bid formulation requirements specify that all bids indicate the quantity of standard units or blocks of electric power each Provider will provide, at a specific price, to the set of end users.

110. 152.A method of Claim 146 in which historical energy usage data associated with the set of end users is distributed to at least a portion of the plurality of energy providers.

111. 153.A method of Claim 146 in which each of Steps a. through e. is accomplished by means of computer processing.

33. 74.A method of Claim 73 in which the moderating computer transmits at least a portion of the auction rules to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers.

34. 75.A method of Claim 73 in which the bid formulation requirements specify that all bids indicate the quantity of energy each Provider will provide, at a specific price, to the at least one end user.

71. 112.A method of Claim 111 in which the moderating computer designates at least two Providers of the plurality of energy Providers to provide electric power to the set of end users, with each designated Provider to supply at least a portion of the electric power to be used by the set of end users at at least one end-user facility during the specific future time interval.

72. 113.A method of Claim 111 in which the designated Providers, when their respective commitments are summed, are committed to provide the electric power required to supply 100% of the energy needs of the set of end users.

73. 114.A method of Claim 111 in which the auction rules include bid formulation requirements specifying the required elements that must be reflected in the bid for the moderating computer to consider the bid valid.

76. 117.A method of Claim 111 in which the moderating computer transmits historical energy usage data associated with the set of end users to at least a portion of the plurality of energy providers.

77. 118.A method of Claim 111 comprising, in the moderating computer, receiving decision rules from an administrator associated with the moderating computer or from the set of end users, processing at least a portion of the first DISCO data and the decision rules, and designating at least a first designated Provider for the provision of electric power to the set of end users.

78. 119.A method of Claim 111 in which the moderating computer transmits at least a portion of the first DISCO data to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers subsequent to designating at least a first designated Provider to provide electric power to the set of end users.

79. 120.A method of Claim 111 in which at least one adjunct computer performs at least a portion of the processing and communications functions of the moderating computer.

112. 154.A method of Claim 146 in which at least a portion of the processed bid information is distributed to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers subsequent to designating at least a first designated Provider to provide electric power to the set of end users.

113. 155.A method for creating an automated bidding process among energy Providers and end users in which a moderating computer collects economic incentive data from each Provider of a plurality of energy Providers, processes the economic incentive data and selects at least two Providers of the plurality of energy Providers to provide energy to at least one end user, based on an economic choice, wherein the method comprises:

a.receiving in the moderating computer, economic incentive data specifying the economic incentive each Provider will place on a unit of energy provided to the at least one end user, processing the economic incentive data to produce processed economic incentive data, and storing the economic incentive data and the processed economic incentive data in a data base of the moderating computer as first end-user set data;

b.in the moderating computer, transmitting at least a portion of the first end-user set data to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers; and

c.in the moderating computer, processing the first end-user set data and selecting at least two Providers of the plurality of energy Providers to provide energy to the at least one end user, with each of the at least two Providers to supply a portion of the energy to be used by the at least one end user at at least one end-user facility during at least a portion of a specific future time interval.

114. 156.A method for creating an automated bidding process among energy Providers and end users in which a moderating computer collects economic incentive data from each Provider of a plurality of energy Providers, processes the economic incentive data and distributes processed data to a first control computer associated with at least one end user, thereby enabling the first control computer to select at least two Providers of the plurality of energy Providers to provide energy to the at least one end user, based on an economic choice, wherein the method comprises:

a.receiving in the moderating computer, economic incentive data specifying the economic incentive each Provider will place on a unit of energy provided to the at least one end user, processing the economic incentive data to produce processed economic incentive data, and storing the economic incentive data and the processed economic incentive data in a data base of the moderating computer as first control computer data;

b.in the moderating computer, transmitting at least a portion of the first control computer data to the first control computer associated with the at least one end user;

c.in the moderating computer, transmitting at least a portion of the first control computer data to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers; and

d.in the first control computer, receiving the first control computer data, processing the first control computer data and selecting at least two Providers of the plurality of energy Providers to provide energy to the at least one end user, with each of the at least two Providers to supply a portion of the energy to be used by the at least one end user at at least one end-user facility during at least a portion of a specific future time interval.

74. 115.A method of Claim 114 in which the moderating computer transmits at least a portion of the auction rules to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers.

75. 116.A method of Claim 114 in which the bid formulation requirements specify that all bids indicate the quantity of standard units or blocks of electric power each Provider will provide, at a specific price, to the set of end users.

115. 157.An energy bidding moderator for enabling the selection of at least two Providers of a plurality of energy Providers for the provision of energy to at least one end user, comprising:

a.a computer with a processor and a memory;

b.means for receiving economic incentive data from the plurality of energy Providers and storing the economic incentive data in the memory;

c.means for processing the economic incentive data received from the plurality of energy Providers to produce processed economic incentive data, storing the economic incentive data and the processed economic incentive data in the memory as first end-user set data, and generating provider selection data; and

d.means for transmitting at least a portion of the first end-user set data to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers.

116. 158.A method for conducting an automated bidding process among a plurality of energy Providers and end users, comprising:

a.collecting economic incentive data from a plurality of energy Providers;

b.prioritizing the economic incentive data that apply to at least one end user;

c.distributing at least a portion of prioritized economic incentive data to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers;

d.designating at least two Providers of the plurality of energy Providers to be the designated Providers of energy to the at least one end user on the basis of the prioritized economic incentive data; and

e.informing each of the at least two designated Providers of its designation, one or more specifications of estimated energy requirements and periodic usage reports associated with the at least one end user, thereby enabling each of the at least two Providers to adjust its energy supply during the time interval in which each designated Provider supplies energy to the at least one end user.

117. 159.A method for conducting an automated bidding process among a plurality of energy Providers for the benefit of end users, based on an economic choice in accordance with auction rules, comprising:

a.collecting, from each Provider of a plurality of energy Providers, bids to provide energy to at least one end user;

b.processing the bids in accordance with the auction rules;

c.distributing at least a portion of processed bid information to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers; and

d.designating, on the basis of the processed bid information, at least one Provider of the plurality of energy Providers to provide energy to the at least one end user, with each designated Provider to supply at least a portion of the energy to be used by the at least one end user at at least one end-user facility during at least a portion of a specific future time interval.

118. 160.A method of Claim 159 in which at least two Providers of the plurality of energy Providers are designated, on the basis of the processed bid information, to provide energy to the at least one end user, with each designated Provider to supply at least a portion of the energy to be used by the at least one end user at at least one end-user facility during the specific future time interval.

119. 161.A method of Claim 159 in which the designated Providers, when their respective commitments are summed, are committed to supply 100% of the energy needed by the at least one end user.

120. 162.A method of Claim 159 in which the auction rules include bid formulation requirements specifying the required elements that must be reflected in the bid for the bid to be considered valid.

121. 163.A method of Claim 162 in which the bid formulation requirements specify that all bids indicate the quantity of energy each Provider will provide, at a specific price, to the at least one end user.

42. 83. A method of Claim 82 in which the bid formulation requirements specify that all bids indicate the quantity of energy each Provider will provide, at a specific price, to the at least one end user.

48. 89.A moderator of Claim 88 including means for transmitting at least a portion of the auction rules to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers.

49. 90.A moderator of Claim 88 including means for including bid formulation requirements specifying that all bids indicate the quantity of energy each Provider will provide, at a specific price, to the at least one end user.

81. 122.A method of Claim 121 in which the moderating computer designates at least two Providers of the plurality of energy Providers to provide electric power to the set of end users, with each designated Provider to supply at least a portion of the electric power to be used by the set of end users at at least one end-user facility during the specific future time interval.

82. 123.A method of Claim 121 in which the designated Providers, when their respective commitments are summed, are committed to provide the electric power required to supply 100% of the energy needs of the set of end users.

83. 124.A method of Claim 121 in which the auction rules include bid formulation requirements specifying the required elements that must be reflected in the bid for the moderating computer to consider the bid valid.

86. 127.A method of Claim 121 comprising, in the first control computer, receiving decision rules from an administrator associated with the first control computer or from the set of end users, processing at least a portion of the first DISCO data and the decision rules, and designating at least a first designated Provider for the provision of electric power to the set of end users.

87. 128.A method of Claim 121 in which the moderating computer or the first control computer transmits at least a portion of the first DISCO data to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers subsequent to the first control computer designating at least a first designated provider to provide electric power to the set of end users.

88. 129. A method of Claim 121 in which at least a first designated Provider is designated by the first control computer as a default Provider or a contract Provider.

89. 130.A method of Claim 121 in which the first control computer is operated by the moderating computer, or by the set of end users, or by a reseller to the set of end users, or by the first DISCO.131.A method of Claim 121 in which at least a portion of the processing and communications functions of the moderating computer or the first control computer are performed by one or more adjunct computers.

90. 132.A method of Claim 121 in which the first control computer is a computer adjunct to the moderating computer.

122. 164.A method of Claim 159 in which at least a portion of the auction rules are distributed to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers.

123. 165.A method of Claim 159 in which historical energy usage data associated with the at least one end user is distributed to at least a portion of the plurality of energy providers.

124. 166.A method of Claim 159 in which each of Steps a. - d. is accomplished by means of computer processing.

6. 47.A method of Claim 46 in which the moderating computer transmits at least a portion of the auction rules to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers.

7. 48.A method of Claim 46 in which the bid formulation requirements specify that all bids indicate the quantity of energy each Provider will provide, at a specific price, to the at least one end user.

44. 85.A moderator of Claim 84 further including means for receiving decision rules from an administrator associated with the moderator or from the at least one end user, and applying the decision rules to the first end-user set data to designate at least a first designated Provider for the provision of energy to the at least one end user.

45. 86.A moderator of Claim 84 including means of notifying each designated Provider of its designation to provide energy to the at least one end user and notifying a first DISCO serving the at least one end user of the Provider"s designation.

46. 87.A moderator of Claim 84 including means for designating at least one Provider committed to supply 100% of the energy needed by the at least one end user.

47. 88.A moderator of Claim 84 including means for including bid formulation requirements in the auction rules, the bid formulation requirements specifying the required elements that must be reflected in the bid for the moderator to consider the bid valid.

50. 91.A moderator of Claim 84 including means for at least one adjunct computer to perform at least a portion of the processing and communications functions of the moderating computer.

84. 125.A method of Claim 124 in which the moderating computer transmits at least a portion of the auction rules to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers.

85. 126. A method of Claim 124 in which the bid formulation requirements specify that all bids indicate the quantity of standard units or blocks of electric power each Provider will provide, at a specific price, to the set of end users.

125. 167.A method of Claim 159 in which at least a portion of the processed bid information is distributed to at least a portion of the plurality of energy Providers subsequent to the designating of at least a first designated Provider to provide energy to the at least one end user.

126. 168.A method of Claim 159 including notifying a first DISCO serving the at least one end user of the designation of at least a first designated Provider to provide energy to the at least one end user.

127. 169.A method of Claim 159 in which the bids to provide energy include bids to provide at least one standard unit or block of electric power to the at least one end user.

128. 170.A method of Claim 169 in which at least two Providers of the plurality of energy Providers are designated, on the basis of the processed bid information, to provide electric power to the at least one end user, with each designated Provider to supply at least a portion of the electric power to be used by the at least one end user at at least one end-user facility during the specific future time interval.

129. 171.A method of Claim 169 in which the designated Providers, when their respective commitments are summed, are committed to provide the electric power required to supply 100% of the energy needs of the at least one end user.

130. 172.A method of Claim 169 in which the auction rules specify that all bids indicate the quantity of standard units or blocks of electric power each Provider will provide, at a specific price, to the at least one end user.