Abstract: The load management dispatcher (“LMD”) monitors the fluctuating prices of energy and compares the market price to the economic opportunity provided to the energy consumer by curtailment of the consumer's consumption. The LMD can provide notification that the curtailment opportunity exists due to a peak in energy prices. Thus, LMD can perform an economic dispatch of distributed generation and load curtailment assets. The LMD can provide current market prices as well as the notification and acceptance of curtailment opportunities. Additionally, LMD can include the ability to monitor in near real time the energy consumption of the consumers and may be able to directly enact the energy curtailment.

Abstract: The virtual utility manager (“VUM”) is a focal point for the aggregation and liquidation of curtailment energy assets. The VUM receives curtailment energy commitments from energy consumers or load-supplying entities (LSEs) who have executed load curtailment contracts with energy consumers. These load-supplying entities as well as energy consumers desire the ability to market their curtailment assets. The VUM can aggregate the commitments and provide the aggregate energy commitments to energy market participants. The VUM also monitors curtailment performance and provide this monitoring information to the involved participants.