Electric co-ops take innovative steps to reduce grid strain, keep prices stable
May 2026
Small energy decisions can make a meaningful difference over time.
by Jack McCarthy, Contributing Writer
With electricity demand rising across the country, electric cooperatives are becoming more innovative than ever before. As mission-driven, not-for-profit organizations, electric cooperatives are constantly offering new opportunities for members to take control of their electricity use.
As the summer sun intensifies, that need becomes even greater. Electricity use rises along with the temperature, as cooling systems run longer and more often to keep homes comfortable during extreme heat. Because many households use electricity at the same times — early in the morning and again in the evening — this puts an added strain on the electric grid.
All that increased use raises electricity demand. During last summer’s record heat wave, grid operators along the East Coast came close to calling for rotating outages as demand pushed the system to its limits. As electricity demand continues to increase nationwide and the available power supply tightens, moments like this show why energy efficiency programs and smart energy use matter more than ever.
That’s where generation partners like Old Dominion Electric Cooperative and distribution electric cooperatives make a difference. As member-owned utilities, cooperatives focus on providing reliable, affordable power for the people they serve. They plan for the future while also offering practical tools members can use right now.
Small energy decisions can make a meaningful difference over time — from how efficiently a home is heated and cooled to lighting choices and everyday electronics. Household energy use adds up.
It’s why cooperatives, often in partnership with generation partners such as ODEC, are proud to support programs that help members manage their energy use. Many cooperatives offer online platforms where members can shop for energy-efficient products at special cooperative discounts. These programs make it easier for families to upgrade to more efficient technologies and lower monthly bills. In addition to offering members energy-efficient devices, many co-ops provide members with energy calculators on their websites. These calculators give members detailed insights into how energy is used in the home and smart ways to save. After all, the lowest-cost megawatt is the one you never have to generate.
While energy efficiency helps save energy at all hours of the day in any season, another important grid-planning tool is demand response. This focuses on specific hours of the day when the grid is under the most stress and encourages members to reduce energy use during peak-demand periods. Many cooperatives use a voluntary program, sometimes called Beat the Peak, to notify members of these high electricity-use periods. By voluntarily using less electricity during peak times, members help ease strain on the grid and support reliable service for the entire community. It’s a clear example of the cooperative difference — members working together to support one another.
Many electric cooperatives make participation in demand-response programs easy through offerings such as smart thermostats. These devices allow cooperatives to make small, temporary adjustments during peak periods, often without members even noticing a change in comfort. Although the adjustments are minor, the impact these reductions have on peak demand is significant.
Together, these efforts help manage rising demand, reduce the risk of outages and give members more control over their electricity use. By putting members first and working together, electric cooperatives continue to deliver reliable power — even during the hottest summer days.
This cooperative approach is built on collaboration — among generation partners, distribution cooperatives and member-owners. Through strong partnerships, community focus and a commitment to service, electric cooperatives are well-positioned to meet today’s energy challenges. By combining energy-efficiency programs with longterm planning, distribution cooperatives and generation partners such as ODEC remain dedicated to providing affordable, reliable and responsible power — now and into the future.