Google pairs with Reliant Energy on voice-driven service

Looking for new ways to manage electricity services, Reliant Energy is now offering its Texas customers a plan that comes with a Google Home Hub, granting them a smart display to control their electricity use.

“By joining forces with Google, our customers now have access to the newest digital technology that not only provides an energy management solution but also helps simplify their lives,” Elizabeth Killinger, president of Reliant and NRG Retail, said. “Our team has been hard at work creating commands and an interface that work seamlessly with the Google Home Hub to provide customized information about their energy use and Reliant account. We’re excited to offer our customers best-in-class service in a new and convenient way.”

That convenience includes a 7-inch screen on the Hub itself and voice commands, powered by the Google Assistant. It can track energy efficiency with an estimate of expected weekly charges, manage customers’ Reliant account itself, provide notifications, control the temperature of customers’ homes, create routines for the temperature controls, and all while still providing those more entertaining items unrelated to energy. All of this is made available under Reliant’s “Truly Free Weekends” plan.

The new addition is part of a partnership agreement between the two companies for 2019, meant to make Reliant the premier retail electricity provider of Google Home and Nest products in Texas.