Google Plans to Produce a Gigawatt of Clean Energy, Cheaper Than Coal

Google announced plans to produce a gigawatt of renewable energy within the next few years and the company wants to produce it at a cost cheaper than coal. This energy will power its data centers and excess energy will be given to the public.

Google calls this initiative “RE < C” or “Renewable Energy Cheaper Than Coal”. Google’s data centers consume so much power (mostly from coal based power plants) that the company wants to provide clean energy to supply their own needs and those of others. Google’s Co-Founder, Larry Page, said the initiative would cost tens of millions of dollars for research and development, and hundreds of million dollars for renewable energy projects and start-ups. The company will also try to produce solar power, wind power and geothermal systems then develop cost-effective technologies based on them. In addition to these initiatives, Google also plans to license the developed technology to other customers. It will also have a dedicated energy division within the company, likely hiring 20 to 30 engineers and experts. Bill Weihl, Google’s green energy czar, said they plan not only to produce a clean renewable energy from various sources, but also provide the energy cheaper than energy created by coal power. Google’s initiative will cost about one to three cents per kilowatt hour whereas coal costs about four cents per kilowatt hour. Google is already working with two renewable energy companies -- eSolar (a solar thermal company) and Makani Power (a wind power company) -- so some suggest Google may have investments in both companies. If Google can actually successfully develop clean energy sources that are cheaper than coal and create a business around licensing that power it would be nothing short of a revolution in the energy industry.

Googleplex with Solar Installations. - Photo courtesy Google Google has already invested in solar power at the company's headquarters called "Googleplex." The 1.6MW solar power generating plant is the largest commercial solar installation in the U.S. Googleplex's solar plant provides up to 30 per cent of Google’s peak needs. I would guess Google will be successful with this project and help others with energy designs that are both green and inexpensive.