North Carolina-based Duke Energy is partnering with Google’s Nest Renew, a service for compatible Nest thermostats that makes it easier to participate in energy programmes that save energy and support clean energy.

“Customer expectations are changing and this collaboration with Google is a great example of how we’re looking for innovations to help our customers save money, conserve energy and invest in renewable energy,” said Harry Sideris, executive vice president at Duke Energy.

Nest Renew is designed to work with compatible Nest thermostats in areas served by major continental US grids, to help customers make a positive difference on the environment. As the programme evolves, more capabilities are expected to be added for customers.

“Achieving the energy sector’s climate goals requires a wide range of strategies and, by partnering with Google on Nest Renew, Duke Energy provides new opportunities to collaborate towards the deployment of new renewable energy resources,” said Hannah Bascom, Google’s head of energy partnerships. “We’re eager to work with Duke Energy to engage consumers in programmes that promote a clean, resilient and flexible grid of the future.”

Nest Renew will be rolling out an early preview by invitation beginning this autumn. Nest Renew requires the third generation Nest Learning thermostat, Nest Thermostat E or the latest Nest thermostat connected to a Google account.

Duke Energy is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 7.9 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and it collectively owns 51,000MW of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,500 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy strategy to create a smarter energy future for its customers and communities with goals of at least a 50 per cent carbon reduction by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The company is a US renewable energy provider, on track to own or purchase 16,000MW of renewable energy capacity by 2025. It also is investing in major electric grid upgrades and expanded battery storage, and exploring zero-emitting power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy’s 7.9 million electric customers continue to benefit from rates below the national average from cleaner energy, while also receiving reliability. In addition to this new programme, Duke Energy offers rate designs and flexible energy use programmes to help users save money.