Google`s Environmental Endeavors - Renewable Energy
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Earlier this year, Google completed their solar panel installation project at their Mountain View, CA headquarters. They installed a total of 9,212 panels, which is the largest corporate solar installation in the U.S. As of now, the solar panels produce 1.6 megawatts of renewable energy, which is a start toward their goal of having a 50 megawatt renewable generating capacity. At their new office in Hyderabad, India, solar powered hot water modules provide the hot water for the entire building. Back in California, solar powered carport structures allow their employees to charge their hybrid vehicles. And like the rebates mentioned in the previous section, Google offers discounts to employees who decide to add solar panels to their house.
This is all part of a larger plan in which Google has been investing in forms of renewable energy, like solar, but also wind, fuel cells, and geothermal energy. The main goal is to produce electricity more cheaply from renewable energy sources than the amount of money it costs to produce it from coal, which supplies about 40 percent of the world's electricity. For the project to be successful, Google wants to be able to produce 1 gigawatt of renewable energy capacity. Whereas the 50 megawatt goal was for the company alone, 1 gigawatt is capable of powering a city the size of San Fransisco.
So far, Google is working with two companies in particular: eSolar Inc., which concentrates on creating solar power capable of replacing the fuel from traditional power plants, and Makani Power Inc., which specializes in wind energy.
In terms of money, Google plans to invest hundreds of millions of dollars. It will take an extremely large amount of investment from companies and organizations like Google in order to make solar energy cheaper than coal, which currently it is not. Hence the name of the project RE<C (Renewable Energy Cheaper than Coal). Right now, coal costs around 2 to 4 cents per kilowatt hour, so renewable energy will need to drop to around 1 to 3 cents. There are those who say geothermal and wind energy are capable of being that cheap now, but only under the right conditions.
Google stands to benefit from the cheap electricity by reducing the energy costs of running their huge data centers and can also license any technology that comes out of this endeavor to other companies seeking to reduce energy costs and emissions. There is indeed a debate concerning Google's true intentions, whether they are truly being good Samaritans or are simply in it for the money. Please keep reading for more discussion and my own opinion.
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