Google Green Blog: October 2009

Green Blog

A better web. Better for the environment.

Empowering the UK with Google PowerMeter

10/27/09

Google PowerMeteriGooglefirst:utilityAlertMeproduct availablethis video

Google

Labels: Green Blog , PowerMeter

Smart grid stimulus is a big win for consumers

10/27/09

(Cross-posted from the Google Public Policy Blog)

announcedfederal stimulus fundingup to 15%the awardsPosted by Michael Terrell, Energy Policy Counsel

Google

Labels: Green Blog , PowerMeter

Energy Secretary Chu visits Googleplex

10/26/09

Dr. Steven ChuGoogle campus
You can watch the full video of his talk here:

Secretary Chu also heard from Googlers about some of our own clean energy projects including Google PowerMeter, which gives consumers access to their energy use information, developing renewable energy that is cheaper than coal (RE<C) and making our datacenters the most energy efficient in the world. "More companies need to get on board and make this part of their business plan," said the Secretary.

While in Mountain View, Secretary Chu announced $151 million in funding for 37 breakthrough energy projects in technologies like renewable power, energy efficiency and electric cars. The funding is being made available through the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), a newly-launched organization within the Department of Energy (DOE) created to support high-risk, high-reward research into innovative energy technologies. ARPA-E is modeled on the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the agency that funded research that eventually led to the creation of the Internet.

Update on 10/29: Updated to include the full video of Secretary Chu's talk.

Posted by Michael Terrell, Energy Policy Counsel

Google

Labels: Green Blog

A green tour of the Google campus

10/15/09

Blog Action Day 2009our global headquarters

Getting to work: We've got a shuttle service that brings employees from around the Bay Area to the Googleplex every day. These shuttles are outfitted with wi-fi and fueled by B20 biodiesel. And employees who bike, walk, skip, hop or otherwise self-power to work can earn points that translate into a donation from Google to their charity of choice.

Turning on the lights: The rooftops at our headquarters are covered in 9,212 photovoltaic solar panels that produce 1.6 MW of electricity — enough energy to power about 1,000 California homes.

Healthy buildings: The facilities at our main campus use sustainable building materials that are environmentally friendly and healthier, such as "cradle-to-cradle" certified products designed to never end up in landfills, fresh air ventilation, daylighting, and whenever possible, PVC- and formaldehyde-free materials.

No, we're not kidding: We've been known to use goats instead of lawn mowers to graze the fields surrounding our campus.

Getting around town: We have a fleet of 8 plug-in vehicles that Google employees can use free of charge to run errands during the day. (In the summer of 2008 our Google.org RechargeIT initiative launched a controlled driving experiment, and our plug-in hybrids achieved more than 90 MPG!) Shared bicycles are also scattered among our buildings for Googlers to use for short trips around campus, reducing the need for cars during the work day.

Waste not, want not: Waste from our Mountain View cafes is separated and the organic component is composted. As a result, we've reduced waste sent to landfills, reduced greenhouse gases and recycled nutrients leading to improved soil quality without chemicals. And any disposable plateware and cutlery we continue to use in the cafés is now compostable.

this websitePosted by Anthony Ravitz, Real Estate & Workplace Services

Google

Labels: Green Blog

Open enrollment for Google PowerMeter partners

10/7/09

Google PowerMeterYello Stromfirst partner in EuropeGoogle PowerMeter partnersJEANISCrecent device announcementPosted by Srikanth Rajagopalan, Product Manager

Google

Labels: Green Blog , PowerMeter

Google PowerMeter's first device partner

10/5/09

Cross-posted to the Official Google Blog.energy use information drives meaningful behavior changeGoogle PowerMeter"The Energy Detective"purchase and install the TED 5000including through iGoogle for mobile phonesfirmware upgradehear from youPosted by Tom Sly, New Business Development & Charles Spirakis, Software Engineer