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Google Can Now Buy and Sell Energy

Google Can Now Buy and Sell Energy

Posted on February 22, 2010 | 60 Comments

Google Energy, which is owned by the search engine company Google, got approval Thursday to buy and sell energy on the wholesale market. The company was created and applied for market based rate-authorization in December, and it will be able to start trading energy on February 23.

According to reporting by PC World, Google's move into the energy market is a strategy to help provide power to the electricity-hungry buildings that house its search engine, advertising network, email software, and all the other things Google does that require large groups of computers.

Google has also made a pledge to be carbon neutral, so being able to buy and sell energy will help it incorporate greener energy into its operations, the article said.

Google, and computing in general, has come under fire recently for not being very green in an article by the UK paper The Times. A Harvard physicist is working on research into the environmental impact of computing, and estimates that an average Google search generates 7 grams (0.25 ounces) of carbon. They arrive at this number by counting from the time a user begins searching until they find what they are looking for, and estimate that carbon generation could range from 1-10 grams (0.04-0.35 ounces), depending on equipment. In everyday terms, they say a search is equivalent to half the energy required to boil a kettle.

Google claims an individual search needs 1 kilojoule (0.0003 kilowatt hours) of energy, which is equivalent to about 0.2 grams (0.007 ounces) of carbon. Google says in a blog post that that amount of energy is consumed by the human body in 10 seconds, and the carbon emissions of a newspaper equal about 850 Google searches. In addition to increasing its efficiency, Google says its recycling practices, investment in renewable energy, and efforts to increase the efficiency of the entire IT industry help offset any criticism.

Google also has software for monitoring energy usage called Google PowerMeter, which requires a special power meter to be installed on the user's home. Users can log in to the software to see how much energy they are using from hour to hour. It's a small pilot project of their philanthropy arm, Google.org, and is partnered with 10 utility companies in North America and Europe, and two companies to make the special power meters.

Although Google doesn't have plans to become a power company, according to the PC World article, it is interesting that they have a pilot project involving power meters and monitoring software.

--James Robertson

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What Others Had to Say

Added by Ice1 on March 6, 2010

You've got to be out of your mind if you think the unemployed that are freezing to death at night could care less about what google does with .007 grams of carbon credits. We are destroying three generations of our future in a mindless game to save a planet that can take better care of life then google can of human rights in China.

Added by The Window Man on March 14, 2010

It is amazing to put this into prospective. I am glad Google is taking more steps to become green, however, this is one more channel in our economy that Google has a hand in. Scary in this fashion, But if I was Google I would do the same. Very smart.

Added by jessie31 on May 30, 2010

This is really new to me! But I am wondering the seeming green action of google will benefit us in the long turn??
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Added by kiran1234 on May 30, 2010

This is really an awesome information Google. I think this information is really mean a lot for me. I gonna bookmark this site. Squidoo Lens

Added by Tom1492 on June 4, 2010

There is not a lot of emphasis on Google's 'recycling practices, investment in renewable energy, and efforts to increase the efficiency of the entire IT industry' pales here as after I finished reading I hear only the emptiness of what sounds like this is only going to benefit Google itself.

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Added by Emilie on June 8, 2010

I think that Google's ability to sell buy energy should be put to good use. I think that they should use renewable energy resources but that energy should be available for all. cheap auto insurance

Added by RosaC29 on June 9, 2010

I think this is really amazing what Google has done in the last 10 years. They are now a mega giant that cannot be stopped.

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Added by Kia31 on June 13, 2010

Google is very powerful! I am amazed by what they are acheiving as a company. I think everyone is. Thanks for this great post.

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Added by Rosie20 on June 13, 2010

I think Google is a power house that really cant be beat. I know every dog has its day but they will be there a good while.

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Added by bartodeo on June 16, 2010

There is not a lot of emphasis on Google's 'recycling practices, investment in renewable energy, and efforts to increase the efficiency of the entire IT industry' pales here as after I finished reading I hear only the emptiness of what sounds like this is only going to benefit Google itself.
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Added by inter4522 on June 16, 2010

Google can do anything they want with the money they have. They are going to be the biggest company in the world. I think this is great that they are doing this.
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Added by james lee on June 21, 2010

I think this is such a great idea from google. This will definitely keep the electric prices down for them. This is why google is one of the best companies in the world.
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Added by molondon on June 24, 2010

that is good news... they are a top company and should focus a part of the future strategy in researching for new energy sources.
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Added by LanceAlberts on June 25, 2010

Honestly, with all the power Google has to use for its data centers it just makes sense that they get into the power industry. Good for them.
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Added by cosmoss on June 27, 2010

than is an usual thing... Google can make almost anything. They are to big.
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Added by Stve J on June 28, 2010

TYes this is very interessting
google is always doing wise things

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Added by josi on June 29, 2010

I could not have used better words . This is a area that is that matters to me and I thought you covered it impeccably. I recently started blogging as well but I’m not veryskilled at it yet. Would fancy to read more of your website and I’ll definitely return once more! News Travel Health body Autos Technology Azka Business Health for life

Added by josi on June 29, 2010

I could not have used better words . This is a area that is that matters to me and I thought you covered it impeccably. I recently started blogging as well but I’m not veryskilled at it yet. Would fancy to read more of your website and I’ll definitely return once more! News Travel Health body Autos Technology Azka Business Health for life

Added by cristianx82 on June 30, 2010

Google can do whatever they want

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Added by jagadoot on June 30, 2010

I was so surprised reading this article that big G now buying and selling energy in wholesale market. But I'm still confusing how the do it without having particular power gen
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Added by hugo boss watches on July 1, 2010

than is an usual thing... Google can make almost anything. They are to big.
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Added by John on July 2, 2010

I have come across this.. Google says in a blog post that that amount of energy is consumed by the human body in 10 seconds, and the carbon emissions of a newspaper equal about 850 Google searches. Great isn't it??

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Added by Ruth Vahe on July 5, 2010

As we all know that Google has the money to buy energy and of course to sell it. But what is important here that Google has promise to buy energy and sell renewable energy where it will help incorporate greener energy into its operations. Well thats amazing. I have heard this rumors in an essay before and now the rumor come to life. The essay writing is based on what the writer has researched.

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Added by mandy on July 6, 2010

How long will it take till google buys the world. They are getting bigger and bigger. I am really getting worried about this development.
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Added by steve bolder on July 6, 2010

Google has also made a pledge to be carbon neutral, so being able to buy and sell energy will help it incorporate greener energy into its operations, the article said.
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Added by Partizannka on July 6, 2010

Well you can expect anything from a monster like Google :)
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Added by Luisa Macanyo on July 6, 2010

Well Google has billions of dollars and they can do whatever they want with this money. But their intentions are great because they are planning to buy renewable energy and at the same time sell them. Renewable energy is what our world needs to minimize global warming.

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Added by sxsaxddc on July 7, 2010

Google Energy is one of the best tools I have ever known. This is really convenient and impressive in my working. Thanks for this article there.
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Added by danielx82 on July 12, 2010

Google can do whatever they want, they are big :D

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Added by roniben on July 13, 2010

Amazing but it is really not new to me, i read once that when we search for term on Google we waste energy, as far as i know google tend to buy renewable energy and at the same time sell them
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Added by Peter on July 16, 2010

Google is pretty much taking over by the looks of it, today Energy tomorrow the world! Improve Search Engine Ranking

Added by David on July 18, 2010

Really doesnt surprise me that google can now buy and sell energy, they really are taking over everything! Hunting Knives

Added by pmk on July 18, 2010

that is good news... they are a top company and should focus a part of the future strategy in researching for new energy sourcesHeating Oil

Added by MikeT81 on July 18, 2010

This makes sense. Vertical integration is really the only option for google. It was just a matter of time before they provided their own energy. What an electric bill that must be.
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Added by Euroknife on July 18, 2010

Energy interesting subject this is the outer way Google make more money! Green energe not working if you falow the EU union cancel invest more money to wind an solar energy, the big problem 1911 stag grips

take 30-40 years to recover the money you need to invest in it! What is the real solution? No one know.

Added by ryvy on July 18, 2010

I think this is such a great idea from google. This will definitely keep the electric prices down for them. This is why google is one of the best companies in the world.
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Added by mivpl on July 18, 2010

estimate that carbon generation could range from 1-10 grams (0.04-0.35 ounces), depending on equipment. In everyday terms, they say a search is equivalent to half the energy required to boil a kettle. Link Building

Added by John on July 18, 2010

I cant believe google have reached the point where they can now legally but and sell their own enegry, is crazy the rate at which they are expanding! John, SEO Expert

Added by John on July 18, 2010

I cant believe google have reached the point where they can now legally but and sell their own enegry, is crazy the rate at which they are expanding! John, SEO Expert

Added by James on July 19, 2010

One can only be astound by how fast Google is re0inventing itself. From the early beginnings to the multi conglomerate in not only a decade. Amazing. Buy energy, really?

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Google can now buy and sell bulk energy Google has been sanctioned by the U.S. government to buy and sell power, though it is unlikely that.
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