NRG Energy and Patriot Place Team Up to Introduce Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Electric vehicle (EV) owners now have a place to plug in while they shop and dine at Patriot Place as the complex, in partnership with NRG Energy, through its wholly owned subsidiary NRG eVgo (ee-vee-go), has successfully installed and commissioned an EV charging station in the retail parking lot near Route 1 behind Eastern Mountain Sports.

With EV sales having more than doubled during the first six months of 2013, NRG is working with partners such as Patriot Place to install EV charging stations across the country.

“We are very happy to expand our partnership with NRG to introduce our first electric car charging station at Patriot Place as we strengthen our commitment to sustainability and energy independence,” said Patriot Place General Manager Brian Earley. “Our station is conveniently located in our primary retail parking lot adjacent to Route 1 and allows drivers to enjoy Patriot Place while their vehicle charges.”

The eVgo charging station at Patriot Place is a standard 240-volt “Level 2” charger and is compatible with any electric vehicle with a plug.

"The eVgo installation and solar canopies at Patriot Place are tangible examples of how we can help ensure a more secure energy future,” said Tom Gros, President, NRG Solutions and Chief Customer Officer for NRG. “We are thrilled to extend our relationship with Patriot Place beyond solar, and we look forward to helping this exciting destination achieve its sustainability goals.”

The U.S. holds the largest fleet of plug-in electric vehicles in the world with more than 133,000 highway capable plug-in electric cars sold since 2008 and currently has 18,877 public charging points, but only 519 can be found in Massachusetts.

“Our sustainability initiatives are extremely important to us,” said Earley. “We, through our partners at NRG, identified an opportunity to help reduce the demand and reliance on fossil fuels by offering electric car owners a place to plug-in and charge up. When a vehicle is 100 percent fueled by electricity the overall emissions content is lower and the location and timing of emissions is better. We are excited to provide this transportation option to our guests.”

The eVgo charging station is just the latest example of Patriot Place’s commitment to environmentally responsible and sustainable practices, including:

Site Design and Planning

• Patriot Place was largely developed over existing parking lots – resulting in only a two percent increase in disturbed area.
• Natural resource areas impacts were avoided.

Trash Removal and Recycling

• Space for recycling materials provided
• Patriot Place is using Big Belly Solar Compactors, the world’s first onsite solar-powered trash receptacles that reduce electricity consumption and waste volume.

Building Performance/Energy Efficiency

• White roofs on all buildings facilitate Heat Island Reduction; all Roofing has a high solar Reflectance Index.
• Energy management systems are included in the commercial buildings.

Transportation Demand Management Measures

Sidewalks, pedestrian promenade areas, and bicycle racks encourage alternate means for transportation.

Sustainable Project Operations

• Diesel driven equipment will run on bio diesel fuel.
• On-site wastewater treatment plant and irrigation well.
• Water reuse in toilets throughout project.
• Vendor and internal policies to reduce packaging.
• Use of “green” and recycled cleaning and paper products.

Materials and Resources

• Use of low emitting materials (adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, carpet systems, composite woods, laminate adhesives, furniture, seating).
• No CFC-based refrigerants.
• All material from excavation and regarding reused on site as fill.
•  Energy-efficient lights used throughout development.
• ENERGY STAR equipment and appliances were selected when possible.

Solar Canopies

In conjunction with Patriot Place’s renewable energy partner NRG, the complex expanded its award-winning sustainability initiatives with the construction of solar canopies in March 2012. These canopies not only provide weather protection throughout the North Marketplace, but also provide up to 60 percent of Patriot Place’s power and reduce carbon emissions by more than 800 metric tons every year. [1]  Additional solar panels added to the rooftops of retailers in the South Marketplace bring the expected output of the solar power system to 1.1 million kilowatt hours.

[1] NRG retains the renewable energy certificates associated with this solar generation and sells them to others.

ABOUT PATRIOT PLACE

Patriot Place is a shopping, dining and entertainment destination located adjacent to Gillette Stadium on Route 1 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Patriot Place features large and boutique retailers, 17 casual to high-end restaurants and other nightlife venues. Among Patriot Place’s other highlights are a 14-screen Showcase Cinema De Lux, the award-winning Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon, a Brigham & Women’s/Mass General Health Care Facility, and a four-star Renaissance Hotel & Spa. For more information, visit www.patriot-place.com, follow Patriot Place on Twitter (twitter.com/patriotplace) or like Patriot Place on Facebook (facebook.com/patriotplace).

ABOUT NRG ENERGY

NRG is leading a customer-driven change in the U.S. energy industry by delivering cleaner and smarter energy choices, while building on the strength of the nation’s largest and most diverse competitive power portfolio. A Fortune 500 company, we create value through reliable and efficient conventional generation while driving innovation in solar and renewable power, electric vehicle ecosystems, carbon capture technology and customer-centric energy solutions. Our retail electricity providers – Reliant, Green Mountain Energy and NRG Residential Solutions – serve more than two million residential and commercial customers throughout the country. More information is available at www.nrgenergy.com. Connect with NRG Energy on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @nrgenergy.

ABOUT NRG eVgo

The NRG eVgo network gives EV owners new freedom and range confidence via home charging and fast charging stations conveniently located at major retailers along highways across eVgo cities. Service plans offered by eVgo allow EV owners to avoid paying large up-front costs for a home or work charger and provide unlimited use of the eVgo network of Freedom Station® sites —all for one low monthly fee. eVgo is a wholly owned subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc., a Fortune 500 company at the forefront of changing how people think about and use energy. NRG’s investment in EV charging infrastructure will provide EV drivers with access to hundreds of public fast-charging Freedom Station sites along with level 2 charging stations at homes, offices, multi-family communities, schools and hospitals across California, Texas and the greater Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. To find out more, or to join the eVgo network, visit www.eVgoNetwork.com. Connect with eVgo on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @evgonetwork.