Hierarchic macroscopic incentivization for electric utility load balancing

摘要

A method of balancing a demand for electricity is disclosed. Consumers of the electricity are organized into a hierarchical set of nodes. A demand for a node at a first level of the hierarchy is defined. A rate structure is defined at nodes of a second level of the hierarchy so that a sum of the electricity demands at the second level obtained in response to the defined rate structure is substantially the same as the defined demand at the first level.