NRG Energy has teamed up with Renew Home to roll out Texas's largest AI-powered virtual power plant (VPP), set to debut for customers in spring 2025. Using advanced Google Cloud technology, this nearly 1-gigawatt VPP will improve the resilience of the Texas energy grid while helping households save on energy costs.

The initiative includes distributing hundreds of thousands of smart thermostats, such as Vivint and Nest, provided with professional installation at no cost to eligible customers. These smart devices will automatically adjust HVAC settings to optimize energy usage during off-peak hours, when electricity is cleaner and more affordable. In the future, the VPP could also include batteries and electric vehicles, providing a robust and flexible energy resource.