Meeting an Energy Leader’s Goals with a Multi-Faceted Solution

city-of-houston-night-skyline-downtown
city-of-houston-night-skyline-downtown city-of-houston-night-skyline-downtown

Meeting an Energy Leader’s Goals with a Multi-Faceted Solution


GOAL

An energy solution that meets requirements for resiliency, sustainability, and affordability.

SOLUTION

A customized approach to achieve all goals for the nation’s fourth-largest city.

PROJECT

A history of collaboration

As an energy partner with the City of Houston for over 15 years, we were poised and ready to enhance their energy approach with an affordable solution to reduce emissions and improve resiliency
 

From many needs, one solution

Houston has embraced the mantle of energy leadership, looking to utilize sustainable and renewably-sourced energy. The city is also located in an area vulnerable to storms, so resiliency is vital. Plus, rapid population growth creates added pressure to maintain affordability and hit budget targets.

Our team accepted these challenges, working with city leaders on an energy approach that addresses all needs.  

POPULATION

2.3 million

Size

#4 in U.S.

ENERGY NEEDS

Varied and evolving

map-closeup-houston-city
map-closeup-houston-city
map closeup Houston city.

       

city-of-houston-skyscraper-skyline-from-highway-entering-city-small
city-of-houston-skyscraper-skyline-from-highway-entering-city-small
city of Houston skyscraper skyline from highway entering city.

SUSTAINABILITY RESULTS

Goal: Leadership in sustainable energy

Symbolized by the 2020 release of the Houston Climate Action Plan, the city is firmly committed to sustainability and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. To begin, the city turned to us and our Renewable Select energy plan to power all facilities — a solution designed to put customers on a quick, seamless, and simple path toward meeting ambitious goals.

Through this plan, the city receives 1,034,399 MWh of renewable electricity annually from a Texas-based utility-scale solar facility they can point to as their source, one that makes Houston the largest municipal purchaser of renewables in the country and one with a #1 EPA clean-energy ranking.

100%
renewable energy powering all facilities

1M+ MWh
renewable energy annually

#1
EPA clean energy ranking

city-of-houston-water-cooling-system-closeup
city-of-houston-water-cooling-system-closeup
city of Houston water cooling system closeup.

REAL-WORLD RESILIENCE

Goal: Resiliency in the face of climate change

In an era of more frequent and severe storms, the city also looked to us for an energy solution that could bring resilience and reliability, especially in ensuring a clean water supply stayed online.

 

Our response was a 24/7 backup system to fit Houston’s needs, integrated into a tailored 20-year service agreement that also meant no upfront costs and, ultimately, millions in savings over the long term.

24/7
backup system

20-years
service agreement, no upfront costs

"As Houston’s retail electricity provider, we commend the city for its ambitious goals and purchase of renewable energy directly from a solar facility in Texas. We’re proud of our long-term relationship and our ability to provide energy solutions that support both sustainability and economic growth."

 

Robert Gaudette

President and Chief Executive Officer

city-of-houston-nightime-skyline-building-lights
city-of-houston-nightime-skyline-building-lights
city of Houston nightime skyline building lights.

BUSINESS CASE

Goal: Cost-effectiveness

Our multi-faceted solution is beneficial to the city and its budget in tangible and intangible ways.


This includes an electricity approach that delivers cost stability, nods to budgetary planning requirements, reduces upfront investments, and provides long-term flexibility. Added value comes through a pricing structure that includes $1.25 million in energy efficiency incentives, a tree-planting initiative, and access to our sustainability consulting expertise.

This past summer, the city also began participating in Reliant Economic Dispatch (RED), our Texas-based demand response program that rewards energy users for reducing their demand on the grid at key times, creating an added revenue stream from their energy strategy.

 

$1.25M
efficiency incentives

Sylvester Turner Mayor of Houston
“Expanding our renewable energy investment through our partnership with NRG helps us build a more sustainable city and save over $9 million per year on our electric bill. Together, we are leading by example and showing how to reduce emissions in the Energy Capital of the World.”

 

Sylvester Turner
Former Mayor of Houston

 

“Expanding our renewable energy investment through our partnership with NRG helps us build a more sustainable city and save over $9 million per year on our electric bill. Together, we are leading by example and showing how to reduce emissions in the Energy Capital of the World.”

 

Sylvester Turner
Former Mayor of Houston

 

city of Houston park walkway evening skyline.
city of Houston park walkway evening skyline.
city of Houston park walkway evening skyline.

Focused on you

Whatever your energy goal, we’re ready to craft the best solution.

Contact us