Abstract: A method for selecting consumers is presented. The method comprises the steps of receiving consumers' data, historical response data, contractual obligations data of a plurality of consumers; receiving a demand response event's description data, determining at least one parameter corresponding to each of the plurality of consumers based upon one or more of the consumers' data, the historical response data, the contractual obligations data and the demand response event's description data, and selecting a subset of consumers from the plurality of consumers based upon the at least one parameter, wherein the at least one parameter comprises a potential load reduction for each of the plurality of consumers.

Abstract: Extracting and analyzing online discussions to identify prospects of a subject is provided.