Abstract: A method and system is described for real time communication in a network of distributed energy resource management devices (EMDs). Presence-based real time communications are established between at least one distributed energy resource management device (EMD) connected to an electric utility grid and a network operations center (NOC) application.

Abstract: A user interface for a system for buying and selling resources consumed over time by using a network such as the Internet. The system facilitates the auction of commodities or resources consumed over time, such as energy. Aspects of the system include metering the actual use of the commodity, analysis of time-of-usage patterns, use of the Internet or other network to provide user interfaces and transfer of information, use of customer data such as location, division, billing code, type of usage, modeling of predicted and actual consumption with respect to a chosen plan. The system allows a consumer to acquire, maintain and manipulate usage statistics to allow for more intelligent planning and purchase of the commodity. The system allows a consumer to plan for control of consumption so as to optimize usage patterns such as shutting down non-essential equipment during peak usage hours to stay under certain critical usage parameters to optimize acquisition cost.