Abstract: The invention comprises a rating engine, system, and method for processing rating requests in a computerized rating system. One aspect of the invention is an object-oriented rating engine operable to receive a rating request associated with a carrier contract. The rating engine comprises a base rating engine object operable for use on a computer and further operable to calculate a linehaul rate in response to the rating request. The base rating engine object further comprises a rating method operable to calculate a linehaul rate and a rate data structure comprising at least one rate value. The rate data structure is accessible by the rating method for use in calculating a linehaul rate.

Abstract: An auction service is provided that stimulates competition between energy suppliers (i.e., electric power or natural gas). A bidding moderator (Moderator) receives bids from the competing suppliers of the rate each is willing to charge to particular end users for estimated quantities of electric power or gas supply (separate auctions). Each supplier receives competing bids from the Moderator and has the opportunity to adjust its own bids 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 bids can also be changed to reflect each supplier's capacity utilization. Appropriate billing arrangements are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method, engine, and system for qualifying a rating request in a computerized rating system. The qualification engine is operable to receive a qualification request associated with a carrier contract and comprises at least one qualification parameter. The qualification engine comprises a qualifying method operable for use on a computer that compares the qualification parameter to a set of qualification requirements to determine whether the carrier contract is qualified. A positive response to the qualification request is returned if the carrier contract is qualified while a negative response to the qualification request is returned if the carrier contract is not qualified.

Abstract: The invention comprises an object oriented rating system and method for processing rating requests in a computerized rating system. One aspect of the invention is an object oriented rating system comprising at least one carrier contract object. This object comprises an instance of a carrier contract class. The carrier contract object is operable for use on a computer and receives rating requests. A qualification engine associated with the carrier contract object is operable to receive qualification data associated with the rating request and determine whether the carrier contract object is applicable to the request. A service engine is operable to calculate a service rate in response to the rating request.

Abstract: A computer implemented tool forecasts the spot price of electric power in a deregulated market and the amounts of power that may be traded in this market. Using generating capacities of multiple utilities, price functions, weather forecasts, and transmission variables, the computer implemented tool makes these forecasts at different delivery points, providing the decision maker with probabilistic distributions for spot prices and trading.