Patent ID: 8095340

Claim:
A system for managing power usage comprising a plurality of networked customer sites, each site comprising: a programmable microprocessor; at least one input mechanism; a memory having program instructions; a display; at least one power device comprising at least one sensor operable for monitoring electrical current or power consumed associated with operation of the power device and for producing signals representative of the monitored electrical current or power consumed; a communications device connectable in signal communication with both the programmable microprocessor and the at least one sensor; and the program instructions which when executed by the programmable microprocessor, (i) cause information stored in the memory to be presented to a first user on the display, (ii) collect user data from a user interaction of the first user with the at least one input mechanism in response to the information and stores the user data in the memory, (iii) collect sensor data from the at least one sensor and stores the sensor data in the memory, (iv) transmit the user data, the sensor data and an identification code of the program instructions to a remotely located server, (v) receive updated program instructions from the server for the programmable microprocessor, and (vi) store the updated program instructions in the memory, wherein the plurality of customer sites are configured to act as a virtual utility or power co-op.