Electrical power metering and billing network

A system for determining and reconciling costs associated with charging an electric load, comprising:

• at least one data storage device having an interface for communicating over a computer network, the data storage device including a data structure comprising:
• a plug ID associated with the electric load;
• an outlet ID associated with an electrical source;
• a charging instance ID associated with a single charging instance;
• at least one server computer having an interface for communicating over a computer network, wherein the server computer is programmed to:
• communicate with the data storage device;
• receive charging instance data comprising a plug ID and an outlet ID;
• generate a charging instance ID;
• store the charging instance ID, plug ID and outlet ID in the data storage device;
• calculate a cost associated with the charging instance data;
• and
• transmit the cost associated with the charging instance data over the computer network.

An apparatus to enable the purchase of electricity, comprising:

• a communications module configured to transmit and receive data over a network;
• an electrical monitoring module configured to measure the electrical current flowing from the outlet to a load;
• an electrical switch;
• a controller including a memory module and a processor programmed to:
• transmit a charging instance request including an Outlet ID and a Plug ID;
• receive a charging instance approval;
• control the electrical switch to allow electricity to flow from the outlet to the load based on the charging instance approval;
• periodically transmit charging instance information including electrical current measurement data;
• terminate the charging instance;
• and
• transmit a charging instance summary including the duration or amount of electricity transferred during the charging instance.