Google issues green energy manifesto

CITING THE NEED for the US to move to using clean energy, Google has issued a draft proposal for discussion, outlining ways for society to get at least part way there by 2030.

In a posting to its company bog, the search and advertising giant takes as its premise that the US needs to cut back on its use of fossil fuels, lower energy cost levels and develop green industries in order to provide new jobs, maintain national security and help prevent world climate change.

The company says its energy team has developed principles and done numerical modeling to explore how to significantly reduce fossil fuel use by 2030. Its analysis suggests actions to deflect the US from its dependence on coal and oil for generating electricity – albeit with some remaining use of nuclear energy and natural gas – and reduce its reliance on oil for transportation by 40 per cent.

In its Clean Energy 2030 manifesto, Google presents its green ideas for moving forward on three broad fronts simultaneously:

1. Reduce demand by doing more with less

"We should start with the low-hanging fruit by reducing energy demand through energy efficiency," Google says.

The company cites its own efforts over nearly ten years to evolve what it believes are the world's most efficient data centers.

It also points out that personal computers need to be made more energy efficient, since they typically waste almost half the power they consume, and promotes its contributions to the Climate Savers Computing Initiative for PCs and servers, which when implemented could save the energy equivalent to the output of 10-20 coal-fired power plants, it claims.

It acknowledges that government can have a big role to play in driving energy efficiency, through building codes and efficiency standards, as well as utility regulations and incentive programmes.

And it believes consumers will use energy more efficiently if given relevant information and opportunities to do so. It hopes to help develop ways for information technology to inform and enable greener consumer behaviour.

2. Develop renewable energy that is cheaper than coal

Google says that 50 per cent of US electricity is generated by coal-fired power plants, and it hopes to change that. "We want to help catalyse the development of renewable energy that is price-competitive with coal. At least three technologies show tremendous promise: wind, solar thermal, and advanced geothermal."

The company mentions having invested more than $45 million in small startup renewable energy companies with its Renewable Energy Cheaper than Coal initiative, but it admits that's not nearly enough compared with the level of public and private investment needed. It calls for increases in federal R&D expenditures, stable long term tax incentives and renewable energy standards.

It also argues that the price of burning carbon based fuels should reflect the full costs to society, and thus it supports imposition of a national cap-and-trade scheme or carbon tax alongside the development of cheaper renewable energy sources.

3. Electrify transportation and re-invent our electric grid

"Imagine driving a car that uses no gas and is less expensive to recharge than buying a latte," Google says. It notes that electric cars are coming and mentions that it already has a small fleet of conversions in use.

It calls for upgrading the US national electric utility infrastructure to a "smart grid" and building new transmission lines.

Google's post concludes, "We see a huge opportunity for the nation to confront our energy challenges. In the process we will stimulate investment, create jobs, empower consumers and, by the way, help address climate change." µ

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