Google Blog,
Friday, April 19, 2013
We’re
always looking for ways to expand the use of renewable energy. To date we’ve
committed more than $1 billion to renewable energy project investments, signed
agreements to procure wind power near our data centers, and installed solar panels at our corporate headquarters.
It’s also
important to work directly with our utility partners to find solutions that
will make more renewable energy available for us and for others. The most
straightforward way to do this is for utilities to offer a renewable power
option for companies that request it—something that’s not currently offered by
most utilities. We’ve just published a white paper (PDF) laying out our
thoughts on how and why such programs might work.
We’re also
announcing our first effort to put this idea into practice. We’re expanding our
Lenoir, N.C. data center, and our local electricity provider, Duke Energy, has
pledged to develop a new program for large companies like Google who want to
buy renewable power for their operations. Duke will file the plan with their
state commission within 90 days.
 |
| Our Lenoir, N.C. data center |
Offering companies like Google a renewable energy option has many advantages. Because the service is made available to a wide range of customers, companies that don’t have the ability or resources to pursue alternative approaches can participate. And by tapping utilities’ strengths in power generation and delivery, it makes it easier for companies to buy renewable energy on a larger scale. Of course, the approach is not without its challenges: utilities will need to work out the mechanics of the service within their local regulatory structure, and in many cases state utility commissions will need to approve the programs. There’s also the challenge of finding cost-effective renewable projects.
We'll continue
to find creative ways to supply our facilities with renewable energy, but we
think this solution can provide an important new way to increase the use of
renewable energy nationwide. We look forward to working with utilities, state
utility commissions, companies and other stakeholders to make it a reality.
Posted by
Gary Demasi, Director, Global Infrastructure
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