Automated new energy technology consulting and demand aggregation system and method
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented, non-buyer-driven method for facilitating the selection, purchase, configuration and installation of non-fossil-fuel-burning energy generation equipment using volume pricing and purchase commitment aggregation, comprising the steps of:
- (a) establishing an automated, Internet-based, interactive and centrally-managed energy consulting system having a computer and a main database;
(b) using the computer to perform a search of a plurality of equipment suppliers'"'"' databases for specification data and pricing data for non-fossil-fuel-burning energy generation equipment;
(c) collecting and storing, in the main database, selected portions of specification data and pricing data found during the search;
(d) determining at least one volume discount price level associated with at least one equipment demand level for non-fossil-fuel-burning energy generation equipment available from at least one equipment supplier;
(e) collecting and storing, in the database, energy usage data and site resource data received interactively from at least one customer;
(f) determining by the computer, based on the energy usage data and the site resource data, a feasibility of acquiring and installing non-fossil-fuel-burning energy generation equipment for the customer;
(g) calculating by the computer, using the equipment specification data, equipment pricing data, energy usage data, site resource data, volume discount price level and equipment demand level, a proposed configuration of non-fossil-fuel-burning energy generation equipment and proposed price at the volume discount price level for the proposed configuration for the customer;
(h) transforming by the computer the equipment specification data, equipment pricing data, energy usage data, site resource data, volume discount price level and equipment demand level into a proposed equipment acquisition contract, and providing the contract to the customer;
(i) receiving an executed, contingent equipment acquisition contract from the customer, prior to the expenditure of funds to acquire equipment and pay for a site visit by an energy consultant, which contract becomes binding only if an aggregate number of a plurality of customers executing acquisition contracts reaches a threshold level equal to or greater than the equipment demand level associated with the volume discount price level, and which contract remains non-binding if said aggregate number does not reach said threshold level;
(j) aggregating the contracts executed by the plurality of customers to calculate an aggregate equipment demand level;
(k) notifying the customer when the aggregate equipment demand level reaches a level equal to or greater than the equipment demand level associated with the volume discount price level;
(l) using the computer to facilitate acquisition of the equipment from at least one equipment supplier; and
(m) using the computer to facilitate installation of the equipment at a customer location.
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Abstract
An automated energy consulting system and method is provided comprising an interactive input system linked to calculation algorithms and databases of energy-related products and services, affiliated service providers, and climate, financing and regulatory criteria. The system generates proposals of available energy-related products, services and financing options, and obtains and aggregates customer commitments to allow discounted purchasing of the components. Customers can earn referral commissions to encourage customers and volunteers to virally disseminate the access information. For customers not eligible for beneficial products and services because of regulatory deficiencies, the system automates the customer education process to encourage them to advocate politically for the changes that will make them eligible. The automation of the energy consulting and marketing process, mass customization, demand aggregation, and viral marketing reduce customer acquisition and component purchasing costs and reduce the price to consumers, creating new economically viable markets for environmentally friendly energy-related products and services.
52 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented, non-buyer-driven method for facilitating the selection, purchase, configuration and installation of non-fossil-fuel-burning energy generation equipment using volume pricing and purchase commitment aggregation, comprising the steps of:
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(a) establishing an automated, Internet-based, interactive and centrally-managed energy consulting system having a computer and a main database; (b) using the computer to perform a search of a plurality of equipment suppliers'"'"' databases for specification data and pricing data for non-fossil-fuel-burning energy generation equipment; (c) collecting and storing, in the main database, selected portions of specification data and pricing data found during the search; (d) determining at least one volume discount price level associated with at least one equipment demand level for non-fossil-fuel-burning energy generation equipment available from at least one equipment supplier; (e) collecting and storing, in the database, energy usage data and site resource data received interactively from at least one customer; (f) determining by the computer, based on the energy usage data and the site resource data, a feasibility of acquiring and installing non-fossil-fuel-burning energy generation equipment for the customer; (g) calculating by the computer, using the equipment specification data, equipment pricing data, energy usage data, site resource data, volume discount price level and equipment demand level, a proposed configuration of non-fossil-fuel-burning energy generation equipment and proposed price at the volume discount price level for the proposed configuration for the customer; (h) transforming by the computer the equipment specification data, equipment pricing data, energy usage data, site resource data, volume discount price level and equipment demand level into a proposed equipment acquisition contract, and providing the contract to the customer; (i) receiving an executed, contingent equipment acquisition contract from the customer, prior to the expenditure of funds to acquire equipment and pay for a site visit by an energy consultant, which contract becomes binding only if an aggregate number of a plurality of customers executing acquisition contracts reaches a threshold level equal to or greater than the equipment demand level associated with the volume discount price level, and which contract remains non-binding if said aggregate number does not reach said threshold level; (j) aggregating the contracts executed by the plurality of customers to calculate an aggregate equipment demand level; (k) notifying the customer when the aggregate equipment demand level reaches a level equal to or greater than the equipment demand level associated with the volume discount price level; (l) using the computer to facilitate acquisition of the equipment from at least one equipment supplier; and (m) using the computer to facilitate installation of the equipment at a customer location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system comprising:
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a main database; a computer coupled to the main database; wherein the computer is configured for; (a) performing a search of a plurality of equipment suppliers'"'"' databases for specification data and pricing data for non-fossil-fuel-burning energy generation equipment; (b) collecting and storing in the main database selected portions of specification data and pricing data found during the search; (c) determining at least one volume discount price level associated with at least one equipment demand level for non-fossil-fuel-burning energy generation equipment available from at least one equipment supplier; (d) interactively collecting, and storing in the main database, energy usage data and site resource data from at least one customer; (e) determining by the computer, based on the energy usage data and the site resource data, a feasibility of acquiring and installing non-fossil-fuel-burning energy generation equipment for the customer; (f) calculating by the computer, using the equipment specification data, equipment pricing data, energy usage data, site resource data, volume discount price level and equipment demand level, a proposed configuration of non-fossil-fuel-burning energy generation equipment and proposed price at the volume discount price level for the proposed configuration for the customer; (g) transforming by the computer the equipment specification data, equipment pricing data, energy usage data, site resource data, volume discount price level and equipment demand level into a proposed equipment acquisition contract, and providing the contract to the customer; (h) receiving an executed contingent equipment acquisition contract from the customer, prior to the expenditure of funds to purchase equipment and pay for a site visit by an energy consultant, which contract becomes binding only if an aggregate number of a plurality of customers executing acquisition contracts reaches a threshold level equal to or greater than the equipment demand level associated with the volume discount price level, and which contract remains non-binding if said aggregate number does not reach said threshold level; (i) aggregating the contracts executed by the plurality of customers to calculate an aggregate equipment demand level; (j) notifying the customer when the aggregate equipment demand level reaches a level equal to or greater than the equipment demand level associated with the volume discount price level; (k) facilitating acquisition of the equipment from at least one equipment supplier; and (l) facilitating installation of the equipment at a customer location. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification