After spending $1 billion on renewable energy projects in the last few years, Google is no stranger to reducing their carbon footprint.
It’s common knowledge in the fuel industry that renewable energy sources are becoming more and more popular, thanks to their cost and energy efficiency. As more and more consumers choose to turn to solar and wind power, it’s not surprising that Google has put so much effort into reducing its carbon footprints. But is it all about the planet?
While there are obvious benefits for such a big company to be so involved in ecological awareness – such as improving the brand reputation and extending the knowledge to their customers – according to director of energy and sustainability at Google, Rick Needham, it’s a pre-emptive measure.
“While fossil-based prices are on a cost curve that goes up,” he said recently at a presentation at the Cleantech Forum in San Francisco, “renewable prices are on this march downward.”
In a nutshell, Google expects the investment of renewable energy will be a financial boon in coming years, when fossil fuels become scarcer and thus more expensive. Planning for the future in this way could end up saving the company a tidy sum.
Fossil fuels: The Lowdown
Renewable energy is so-called because it is just that; wind, solar and biomass power is renewable, and the energy harnessed from it has a dramatically lower effect on the environment and ozone layer when compared to fossil fuels.
At present, renewable energy technology is being advanced constantly, with more and more efficient ways to harvest energy being developed all the time. Harnessing power from limitless energy sources, solar panels and wind turbines are capable of providing power where previously fossil fuels were required.
On the other hand, the fossil fuel industry works with a fuel which is becoming scarcer year by year. Thanks to the challenge of extracting dwindling reserves of fuel, more and more complex technology is required and many are turning to renewable energy thanks to the savings and low carbon emissions.
What’s next for Google?
After investing so much into renewable energy, including the funding of research into further renewable energy methods, the internet giant isn’t looking to stop any time soon. In fact, the ecological binge only seems to be accelerating.
After its data findings proved that the company was able to have their data centres run on half the power they required previously, saving around $1 billion in energy. With such a promising start, it’s looking like a green future for Google.
Katy Jones of Dulas Ltd said of the initiative, “Google’s high energy usage makes them a prime candidate for implementing many renewable energy technologies. Solar is already hugely popular in California and uptake will increase considerably with the addition of Google’s project. Google should be applauded for taking such a bold step to address their future energy consumption needs.”
