Patent ID: 7512540
Filing Date: 2009-03-31
Classification: G06Q,H02J,Y02P,Y04S

Abstract:
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.