CASE STUDY
Elbow Creek Energy Storage project
CITY OF HOUSTON
Meeting an energy leader’s goals with a multi-faceted solution
GOAL
An energy solution that meets requirements for resiliency, sustainability, and affordability.
3Vital goals
SOLUTION
A customized approach to achieve all goals for the nation’s fourth-largest city.
1Integrated solution
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.
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 — 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.
100% renewable energypowering all facilities
1M+ MWhrenewable energy annually
#1 EPAclean energy ranking
SUSTAINABILITY RESULTS
Goal: Leadership in sustainable energy
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.
24/7backup system
20-yearsservice agreement, no upfront costs
REAL-WORLD RESILIENCE
Goal: Resiliency in the face of climate change
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.
$1.25MEfficiency incentives
BUSINESS CASE
Goal: Cost-effectiveness
“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 TurnerMayor of Houston
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 GaudetteExecutive Vice President, NRG Business
Focused on you
Whatever your energy goal, we’re ready to craft the best solution.