Abstract: A system for distributing electrical energy within an electrical grid comprising: an electrical grid with one or more capacity constrained critical grid network elements having a maximum electrical energy load; a flex platform including a capacity assessment module monitoring electrical energy consumption at a first time relative to the maximum electrical energy load to determine a first excess quantity of electrical energy remaining, and an initial bid aggregation module; a first significant energy consumer having a first peak electrical energy demand and a second significant energy consumer having a second peak electrical energy demand, wherein a combination of the first and second peak electrical energy demands exceed the maximum electrical energy load; the first excess quantity of electrical energy is allocated, via the flex platform, to the first or second significant energy consumer in response to at least a first bid received by the initial bid aggregation module.