Google Inc. says it is abandoning its ambitious program to drive down the cost of renewable energy, one of seven major initiatives canceled by the Internet giant this week as it looks to focus on its core projects.
Launched four years ago through Google.org, the company’s philanthropic arm, the so-called Renewable Energy Cheaper than Coal (RE < C) initiative included a team of engineers dedicated to researching renewable energy technologies, with a focus on solar energy.
The Google program invested in Brightsource Energy and eSolar, companies working on concentrated solar power projects, and also invested in potentially breakthrough technologies.
“At this point, other institutions are better positioned than Google to take this research to the next level,” the company announced on its corporate blog. Google posted the results of its energy research online, encouraging other companies to use it to advance the renewables industry. The changes come as Google, the world’s top search engine, faces increasing competition in mobile phone technology and social media.
Article appearing courtesy Yale Environment 360.
2 comments
It is sad to know that one of the most influential companies in the world is somehow abandoning its investment in helping the world benefit from solar energy. Whatever the true reasons maybe I just hope that they can come up with an initiative that help our environment.
Not a surprise given that they hired a bunch of people that knew nothing about clean technology…I think they saw their own personal solyndra happening within their own walls and backed out gracefully…proof that more money than god, still does not good ideas make!
Comments are closed.