Old Dominion Electric Cooperative has developed a new online shopping experience for energy-efficiency solutions that promises to save members money while deepening the value of their co-op membership.

The generation and transmission co-op launched the Electric Cooperative Marketplace in partnership with its distribution cooperatives in Virginia, Maryland and Delaware at the end of January. It's been racking up sales from their consumer-members ever since.

“ODEC works on behalf of its member distribution cooperatives to provide affordable, reliable power," says Chris Cosby, president and CEO of the Glen Allen, Virginia-based G&T. “The Electric Cooperative Marketplace is an extension of that mission, offering members another practical tool to manage their energy use."

The marketplace sports more than 80 products, ranging from ENERGY STAR-rated products, the latest in LED bulbs and smart thermostats to energy-saving air purifiers, dehumidifiers, weatherization tools, electric vehicle chargers, water-saving devices and smart power strips that cancel phantom power.

Consumer-members can shop from a link to the marketplace on their co-op's website.

The discounts, which ODEC absorbs, are taken at checkout and can save members as much as $100 on some items. Sales have been strong since the marketplace opened.

“We're in a time of growing costs," says Alison Kaufmann, ODEC's vice president of strategic electrification and member services. “This is an example of co-ops being innovative by providing energy solutions that save energy and money for both the co-ops and their member-owners."

ODEC estimates that, on the conservative side, an average bundle of goods once installed in a home can save a co-op member about 200 kilowatt-hours a year.

“Energy efficiency is really an example of how small things can add up to have a big impact," says Kaufmann. “People have a real interest in simple and affordable energy solutions, and the products displayed by the marketplace to members are products that can actually make a difference."

The concept of a market portal emerged at a quarterly forum held by the G&T where its distribution co-ops batted around ways to help their members reduce their energy consumption and, in turn, lower peak demand and costs.

“As a G&T, we want to support our members and bring them value. It's the benefit of being part of a G&T," says Kaufmann.

Developing the marketplace, from leadership approvals to building the platform and opening for business, took about 15 months. ODEC created the marketplace so that each of its distribution co-ops can brand it and seamlessly link their members to the retail portal from their website.

ODEC helped its co-ops get the word out to their members about the marketplace through a communications toolkit that included templated posts for social media, newsletter articles and other materials.

“Members can shop any time from an array of vetted energy-efficiency products and get a discount on their entire purchase that's shipped to their home," says Kirby Brown, ODEC's vice president of communication. “It saves them time and gas money from driving to stores for these items and worrying about getting the best deal."

ODEC works with Resource Innovations, a global energy-efficiency solutions firm, to acquire and warehouse the products and provide customer service and shipping.

With the program up and running, the G&T is making plans for the future. Ideas include holiday sales for shoppers to get additional deals and looking into how co-ops can use marketplace credits as member incentives at annual meetings.

Early feedback from member co-ops about the marketplace has centered around appreciation, Kaufmann says.

“The member co-op and their members value energy savings as well as having a trusted source to go to for home energy-efficiency solutions at a discount," she says. “They really appreciate that their G&T could provide this member value. It shows what a beneficial experience—and energy impact—distribution co-ops can gain from their G&T membership."

To learn more about ODEC's marketplace, visit myco-opmarketplace.com.