Reliant Launches Energy Saver Partner Program in Dallas

February 14, 2008 1:08 PM EST

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Reliant Energy announced the successful installation and testing of the first demand-response system at a Dallas/Fort Worth residence. Late last year, the company reported that its Houston-based tests were also successful.

"Reducing peak demand delays the need for costly new power plants, conserves resources and, ultimately, helps moderate price," said Glen Stancil, Reliant Energy's vice president of Smart Energy research and development. "This is the first of a number of new products and services we plan to launch this year that will give customers better control and more insight into how they use energy."

The system uses data collected from smart meters, coupled with broadband over power line technology, to communicate with and control Web-programmable thermostats and high-usage appliances in the home. During times of high electricity usage across the state, the system can be used to increase thermostat settings by a few degrees or cycle off air conditioning systems for short periods of time.

The smart electric meters installed in the Dallas/Fort Worth area communicate via broadband over power line technology provided by the Current Group LLC. By using this technology, Reliant Energy is able to offer customers innovative new programs that were not available with traditional meters.

Eligible Houston-area customers have already received mail-outs encouraging them to sign up for the pilot, and installation of the system is under way. Reliant will contact customers in the Dallas area who have the required smart meter for the pilot program by telephone or mail.

Reliant's program, called the Energy Saver Partner, offers customers a free Web-controlled, programmable thermostat (a $250 value), a free 25-point air conditioning inspection (a $75 value), an enrollment bonus and monthly bill credits from May through September.

Reliant's pilot is part of a larger study sponsored by the Center for the Commercialization of Electric Technologies to develop demand-response programs. Findings from the CCET pilot will be shared with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas and retail providers to enable new market tools and demand-response programs.

The Center for the Commercialization of Electric Technologies is an organization of 19 Texas electric and high-tech companies joined by five universities in a collaborative effort to modernize the Texas electric system. CCET's purpose is to encourage private-sector initiatives that promote growth in high-quality employment, and to lead to scientific breakthroughs in the operation of the Texas electric system.

The state's leading electric market participants have begun a two-year study to assess the technology in Houston and in Dallas. Austin Energy is coordinating results of its own demand response program in Austin. Participants in the Dallas pilot include Oncor, Reliant Energy, TXU Energy, Direct Energy, Current Group LLC and Corporate Systems Engineering. AEP Texas is participating financially in the project.

About Reliant Energy

Reliant Energy, Inc. (NYSE: RRI) based in Houston, Texas, provides electricity and energy services to retail and wholesale customers in the United States. In Texas, the company provides service to more than 1.8 million retail electricity customers, including residential and small business customers and commercial, industrial, governmental and institutional customers. Reliant also serves commercial, industrial, governmental and institutional customers in the PJM (Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland) market.

The company is one of the largest independent power producers in the nation with approximately 16,000 megawatts of power generation capacity across the United States. These strategically located generating assets utilize natural gas, fuel oil and coal. For more information, visit http://www.reliant.com.

Source: Reliant Energy, Inc.