The Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC) saved utility customers millions in its first year of using SAS Analytics to forecast energy demand. The savings helped the not-for-profit lower rates four times. With better forecasts, the cooperative hopes to continue keeping costs low and service levels high.

ODEC provides wholesale power to 11 not-for-profit distribution cooperatives in Virginia, Maryland and Delaware that serve 1 million member customers in the rural and suburban portions of those states. "Each cooperative has unique characteristics, its own weather and economic drivers that affect growth,'' explains David Hamilton, Senior Forecast Analyst. ODEC owns power plant assets and also seeks to purchase power. For energy purchases, the cooperative must contract months in advance. Bet wrong about the weather or energy needs, and ODEC is at the mercy of the spot market.

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