Google receives approval to buy and sell energy
Alexander Richter
1 Mar 2010
Google receives federal approval to buy and sell energy on the open market, which would effectively allow google to source its own energy.
In news from the U.S. it is said that “Google has received federal approval to buy and sell energy on the open market, giving it more options for the way it powers its data centers and opening the door to a potential move into the energy-trading business.”
This is indeed very interesting as it could mean that Google could start source electricity for its operation on its own buying directly from producers like from the nearby geothermal fields in California or even Nevada.
According to the article, “Google applied for the authorization last December through a wholly owned subsidiary called Google Energy. The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved its application Thursday, granting Google “market-based rate authorization,” or the authority to buy and sell energy on a wholesale basis.
“We made this filing so we can have more flexibility in procuring power for Google’s own operations, including our data centers,” Google spokeswoman Niki Fenwick said via e-mail.
Data centers are big consumers of energy and Google operates several large facilities around the world — it hasn’t disclosed exactly how many. That makes ensuring a steady supply of affordable energy critical to running its business.
Google has also said it is committed to being “carbon neutral,” in part by using as much renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, as possible. “FERC authority will improve our ability to hedge our purchases of energy and incorporate renewables into our energy portfolio,” Fenwick said.
She declined to elaborate, but the company told the Wall Street Journal last month that FERC approval would allow it to approach producers of renewable energy directly to buy power for its operations.”
To read the full article see link below.
Source: IDG News Service via IT World
