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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Capitalized Contract Costs
Capitalized Contract Costs
Capitalized contract costs represent the costs directly related and incremental to the origination of new contracts, modification of existing contracts or to the fulfillment of the related subscriber contracts. These costs include installed products, commissions, other compensation and the cost of installation of new or upgraded customer contracts. The Company calculates amortization by accumulating all deferred contract costs into separate portfolios based on the initial month of service and amortizes those deferred contract costs on a straight-line basis over the expected period of benefit, consistent with the pattern in which the Company provides services to its customers. The expected period of benefit for customers is approximately five years. The Company updates its estimate of the expected period of benefit periodically and whenever events or circumstances indicate that the expected period of benefit could change significantly. Such changes, if any, are accounted for prospectively as a change in estimate. Amortization of capitalized contract costs are included in depreciation and amortization in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Contract costs not directly related and incremental to the origination of new contracts, modification of existing contracts or to the fulfillment of the related subscriber contracts are expensed as incurred.
Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Reclassifications
Reclassifications
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified for comparative purposes. The reclassifications did not affect consolidated results of operations, net assets or consolidated cash flows.
Presentation Adjustments
As of September 30, 2024, the Company is recording the amortization of capitalized contracts costs within depreciation and amortization. This change, along with additional financial statement disclosures, is meant to address investor inquiries by enhancing transparency to easier match expenses with revenues. NRG previously recorded amortization of capitalized contract costs related to fulfillment in cost of operations and amortization of capitalized contract costs related to customer acquisition primarily in selling, general and administrative costs in the consolidated statements of operations.
Credit Losses
Credit Losses
Retail trade receivables are reported on the consolidated balance sheet net of the allowance for credit losses within accounts receivables, net. Long-term receivables are recorded net of allowance for credit losses in other non-current assets on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company accrues a provision for current expected credit losses based on (i) estimates of uncollectible revenues by analyzing accounts receivable aging and current and reasonable forecasts of expected economic factors including, but not limited to, unemployment rates and weather-related events, (ii) historical collections and delinquencies, and (iii) counterparty credit ratings for commercial and industrial customers.
Funds Deposited by Counterparties and Restricted Cash
Funds deposited by counterparties consist of cash held by the Company as a result of collateral posting obligations from its counterparties related to NRG's hedging program. Though some amounts are segregated into separate accounts, not all funds are contractually restricted. Based on the Company's intention, these funds are not available for the payment of general corporate obligations; however, they are available for liquidity management. Depending on market fluctuations and the settlement of the underlying contracts, the Company will refund this collateral to the counterparties pursuant to the terms and conditions of the underlying trades. Since collateral requirements fluctuate daily and the Company cannot predict if any collateral will be held for more than twelve months, the funds deposited by counterparties are classified as a current asset on the Company's balance sheet, with an offsetting liability for this cash collateral received within current liabilities.
Restricted cash consists primarily of funds held to satisfy the requirements of certain agreements and funds held within the Company's projects that are restricted in their uses.
Recent Accounting Developments — Guidance Not Yet Adopted
Recent Accounting Developments — Guidance Not Yet Adopted
ASU 2023-07 – In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280) – Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, or ASU 2023-07. The guidance in ASU 2023-07 enhances reportable segment disclosure requirements by requiring disclosure of significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker and included within each reported measure of segment profit and loss, an amount and description of its composition for other segment items and interim disclosures of a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets. The Company plans to adopt the new guidance for the annual period ending December 31, 2024 and subsequent interim periods thereafter. The guidance will be applied retrospectively for all prior periods presented in the financial statements.
ASU 2023-09 – In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740) – Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, or ASU 2023-09. The guidance in ASU 2023-09 enhances income tax disclosures by requiring disclosure of specific categories in the effective tax rate reconciliation and additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold. Further the amendments of ASU 2023-09 require certain disclosures on income tax expense and income taxes paid. ASU 2023-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The amendments of ASU 2023-09 may be applied on a prospective or retrospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2023-09 on its disclosures.
ASU 2024-03 – In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-03, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40) – Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses, or ASU 2024-03. The guidance in ASU 2024-03 requires more detailed information about specified categories of expenses included in certain captions presented on the face of the income statement. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments may be applied either (1) prospectively to financial statements issued for reporting periods after the effective date of this ASU or (2) retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2024-03 on its disclosures.
Segment Reporting
The Company’s segment structure reflects how management currently makes financial decisions and allocates resources. The Company manages its operations based on the combined results of the retail and wholesale generation businesses with a geographical focus. Vivint Smart Home operations are reported within the Vivint Smart Home segment.
NRG’s chief operating decision maker, its chief executive officer, evaluates the performance of the Company's segments based on operational measures including adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or Adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow and allocation of capital, as well as net (loss)/income. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those applied in the consolidated financial statements as disclosed in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the Company’s 2023 Form 10-K.