Portable Power Stations Meet Growing Consumer Demand for Power On the Go

NRG Retail, a division of NRG Energy, Inc., today announced that the NRG Go solution, a patent-pending portable power technology, was named a CES 2016 Innovation Awards Honoree. In the way retail and consumer-driven on-demand business models such as Redbox and Citi Bike developed to bring convenient entertainment options and expand urban transportation networks, the NRG Go solution brings next-generation convenience of power on the go so consumers can continue using their phones when most needed. With NRG Go, consumers low on phone battery no longer have to worry about missing out on conversations, downloading helpful information, sharing photos and videos of spontaneous moments and other interactions they have come to expect in their daily lives.

The NRG Go solution, provided by NRG Portable Power LLC, allows customers to rent a power pack from a self-service station, charge their mobile device and return the palm-sized unit at any NRG Go station. The charging technology works with all iPhone® 5 and later models as well as most Android™ devices. As the power pack is entirely portable, users do not need additional cables or outlets, giving NRG’s retail customers and other consumers power when they need it most.

"We are excited to receive this honor recognizing our work to create a new, convenient way for us to put power into the hands of our customers," said Elizabeth Killinger, president, NRG Retail and Reliant. "Our NRG Go solution is an example of how we are extending the deep relationship we have with our customers to provide them power on the go which is increasingly more important given the mobile, connected lifestyle that has become the norm."

The NRG Go solution offers users an intuitive experience that comes in two sizes. The full-size station is a 75-inch-tall tower fitted with a 27-inch touchscreen and 120 rentable lithium-ion power packs stacked along the tower’s sides. Mini stations, capable of wall mounting, have two charging racks that hold 15 power packs each. Both versions automatically recharge power packs upon return, and customers also have the option to purchase the power pack instead of renting it.

"Our NRG Go solution is a lifesaver for consumers spending time at universities, hotels and tourist destinations, stadiums, bars and entertainment venues, shopping malls and more," said Adam Runquist, director, NRG Retail. "NRG Go is a refreshing solution to every consumer’s digital nightmare: a dead phone. So much of our lives depend on mobile devices and this solution is designed to save the day – providing power when and where people need it most."

The NRG Go solution will be on display at the International Consumer Electronics Show (January 6-9, 2016) in Las Vegas at the Innovation Awards Showcase at Tech West, Sands Convention Center, Level 1, at Booth #833139. The showcase will include honorees across 27 categories, each recognized for outstanding design and engineering in consumer technology products. More information on the products is available at CESweb.org/Innovation.

The CES Innovation Awards are sponsored by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)™ and judged by a preeminent panel of independent industrial designers, independent engineers and members of the trade media to honor outstanding design and engineering in cutting-edge consumer electronics, based upon descriptive materials submitted to the judges. The Consumer Electronics Association, the producer of CES, did not verify the accuracy of any submission or of any claims made and did not test the item to which the award was given.

NRG Retail LLC is a leading consumer energy solutions provider, offering greater control over the creation and use of energy, both at home and on the go. NRG Retail includes residential electricity providers Reliant and NRG Home, and serves almost 3 million customers across the U.S. NRG Retail belongs to the NRG family of companies that comprises a growing portfolio with integrated power products including retail electricity, smart energy solutions, and the NRG Go, NRG Street Charge® and Goal Zero portable power solutions that allow customers to generate, manage and share more of their own energy in ways that are clean, reliable and affordable. NRG Retail is part of NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NRG), a Fortune 200 company delivering cleaner and smarter energy choices. For more information about NRG Retail products and services, please visit nrg.com, and connect on Facebook at facebook.com/nrg and on Twitter @NRGenergy and @NRGinsight.

Bobby Zafarnia
713.537.2159
Bobby.Zafarnia@nrg.com
@NRGinsight