It’s that time of year when pundits look into the future and guess what the new year will hold. We’re always thinking ahead at Reliant, so we asked our experts what’s in store for the energy landscape in 2016, and they came up with some trends and predictions that will enhance the way people live this year and beyond:

The Customer Is Always in Charge
We believe one trend will dominate 2016: People will more frequently leverage other things outside wall plugs to get their energy. That’s where Reliant comes in. Although we have a long history in powering people at home, we are now powering people anywhere — because that’s what customers want and need given the mobile, connected lifestyle that is the new norm. And, to that end, we’re not just predicting the future, but we’re helping make it: We are committed to anticipating and delivering on consumer preferences because that’s what we do.

Reliant continues to evolve and expand into home automation, home security, portable power, and more. And we believe this portfolio of seamless home and mobile services will give customers the insights, choices, and convenient solutions to simplify their life and at the same time get them talking about which retail provider they count on for power and home control – from wherever they are, how they can generate their power and how we can be more energy efficient as well. That’s a national conversation we’re helping lead and excited to see grow.

Portable Power
The concept of charging your phone at an outlet is so 2015. In 2016, we’ll power customers at home and on the go. Two innovations from the NRG family ensure your charging needs will be met: NRG Go portable power and the NRG Street Charge® solar charging station. NRG Go portable power is a network of self-service stations that distribute NRG Go packs to those who need a quick charge. We developed the idea in-house and turned it from concept into reality, with a slick touchscreen experience currently offered in Houston.

NRG Street Charge stations are available globally and allow people to charge their mobile devices for free, using the sun’s energy captured by three solar panels atop each charging station. Users simply plug their phones or tablets into an available weather-resistant cable, rest their devices on the charging station’s wooden platforms, and power up as much as they need. We’re pleased both NRG Street Charge and NRG Go have been recognized as CES Innovation Award honorees for 2014 and 2016, respectively.

Savings Are Timeless
As Reliant transforms what an electric company offers by providing simple solutions to modern energy needs, we make it easier for people to save money on their power bills — a monthly expense over which some consumers feel they have little control. Reliant has changed that passive mentality to an active one that puts people first.

Depending on a household’s needs and time of year, we provide energy-saving tips that people can apply with simple ease to get results. The Reliant Predictable 12 plan also delivers great value, peace of mind, and budget certainty, as you’ll know exactly how much your monthly bill will be each year regardless of the season or your usage. When it comes to giving consumers the information they need, that’s one trend we’ve led in years before and we’ll continue to lead in years to come.

So with 2015 behind us, we’re excited for the year ahead, when more people will engage with electricity in ways once considered too far-fetched or futuristic. And, in keeping with Reliant’s people-first mentality, we’d love to hear your thoughts on energy in the comments below. Your insights just might help shape and realize our predictions this year and beyond.

*Reliant PUCT Certificate #10007