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Automated new energy technology consulting and demand aggregation system and method

  • US 7,512,540 B2
  • Filed: 09/26/2001
  • Issued: 03/31/2009
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2000
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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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:

  • (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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