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Demonstrating Vermont's national importance as a model for energy future, Green Mountain Power and NRG Energy announced a partnership to deploy a series of new products and services for Vermont businesses and residents. The partnership, which ultimately will expand throughout Vermont, is part of an effort to establish Rutland as the Energy City of the Future, and positions the state as a leader in the movement toward cost-effective sustainable energy solutions.
Beginning in early 2015, the partnership plans to bring innovative clean energy products and services to Vermont, helping customers manage energy use and save money. Central to the effort will be the development of an advanced distribution grid in Rutland. Leveraging NRG’s microgrid capabilities, the two companies expect to transform the distribution grid from a 100-year-old electric delivery model to a market-based platform designed to create efficiencies and distributed energy solutions through renewable technologies and energy storage.
"Our customers consistently tell us they want tools to save money and move to renewable energy sources,” said GMP President and CEO, Mary Powell. “We can show the rest of the country how to get there. This is what our energy future looks like."
“Through this partnership, we hope to demonstrate that investing in a 21st century energy eco-system that is more sustainable, resilient, affordable and individually empowering for the people of Vermont is more sensible than pouring more investment into the creaky old grid infrastructure from the 20th century," said David Crane, President and CEO of NRG. "In the course of so doing, we will also prove that the concepts of 'electric utility', 'renewables' and 'personal choice' are not mutually exclusive."
Products and service offerings from the new project include:
Personal Energy Management: Beginning in 2015, GMP will offer Vermont customers a comprehensive personal energy management solution — a multilevel home control and convenience offering. Subscribing customers may be able to remotely manage energy consumption in their homes to increase comfort and save money. GMP may also offer NRG's web-based customer technology to provide Vermonters clear insight into electricity use, allowing them to make smarter choices. Customers may also be able to participate in demand response, in which they voluntarily reduce their use of electricity for specific periods in return for payments or credits on their bill.
NRG Portable Power: GMP will offer NRG’s Portable Power solution allowing customers to break free from the outlet and charge their smartphones with an NRG Power Pack.
Electric Vehicle Infrastructure: GMP will work with NRG’s eVgo division to develop and roll out an expanded, interconnected network of electric vehicle charging stations throughout the state, including several charging package options. Both “Level 2” and DC Fast Chargers will be installed in commercial and workplace locations.
Community Solar: In 2013, NRG Home Solar (formerly Residential Solar Solutions) built one of the first third party financed community solar arrays in the country. This array, in Rutland, VT, provides 50 residents and businesses a credit on their GMP bill for their portion of the solar energy produced by the array. Customers pay a small monthly fee and are covered by a power production guarantee. NRG is currently working on additional projects in Vermont as part of the partnership with GMP.
Micro-power: GMP is working with NRG to offer micro generation solutions to Vermonters, including NRG’s Beacon 10. These units generate up to 10 kilowatts of electricity, provide heat for water and space heating, and offer battery storage and solar integration capability with onsite solar systems.
Microgrid: GMP has an ambitious vision for an energy future that takes Rutland and ultimately Vermont beyond the legacy grid system, supported by solar energy and new technology systems that ensure reliable power. Leveraging NRG’s microgrid capabilities, the two companies intend to transform the distribution grid system to a market-based platform designed to create efficiencies and distributed energy solutions.
“This partnership will bolster Rutland’s growth by reducing residents’ costs and building on our clean-energy reputation,” Rutland Mayor Chris Louras said. “Rutland has quickly become known as a hotbed for renewable energy, and the aggressive introduction of NRG’s and GMP’s innovative products and services will solidify Rutland’s role as a national energy leader.”
(Photo: Sunflowers and solar panels in Sterling College, Vermont. Credit: Wikipedia)