Google Green Blog: 2013

An update on our efforts to expand options for companies to buy renewable energy

11/15/13

announcementwhite paperjust filedproposalPosted by Gary Demasi, Director, Global Infrastructure

Solar in California and Arizona: More of a good thing

11/14/13

Official Google Blogrenewable energy investing thing

The 17.5 MWac/22 MWp Victor Phelan project (pictured), located in San Bernardino, Calif., is part of six Recurrent Energy developed projects acquired by Google and KKR. The six-project portfolio is expected to operational by early 2014 and will generate enough clean electricity to power more than 17,000 U.S. homes.

back in 2011continuing to investpurchasing clean energyworking with our utility partnersPosted by Kojo Ako-Asare, Head of Corporate Finance

A solar investment in California’s Imperial Valley

10/10/13

goalThirteen renewable energy investments in three years!

The Mount Signal Solar project in Imperial County, CA

Posted by Kojo Ako-Asare, Head of Corporate Finance

Another windy day in Texas: a new power purchase agreement

9/17/13

(Cross-posted on the Official Google Blog)Chermac Energy

Some (happy) cows on the future site of the wind farm.
The cows will still have plenty of room to graze between the turbines.

IowaOklahomaseveral wayspurchase wind energy in Swedengreen the energy supplyworking with Duke Energyrenewable energy tariffcreative agreementsPosted by Matt Pfile, Senior Manager, Data Center Energy and Location Strategy

The latest on our carbon footprint

8/13/13

Google Green sitelaunching Wi-Fi-enabled balloons into the atmospherehigh-quality carbon offsetsCarbon Disclosure Projectbuy large amounts of renewable energyWorld Resources Institute Scope 2 accounting processfourth year in a row

Research indicatesBerkeley Lab modeldrive down our emissionsPosted by Jolanka Nickerman, Carbon Czarina

Pushing our energy performance even higher with ISO 50001 certification

7/24/13

ISO 50001environmental and workforce safety management certifications we’ve received

The Dalles, Oregon

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Mayes County, Oklahoma

Lenoir, North Carolina

Berkeley County, South Carolina

Douglas County, Georgia

In the limelight: Take a virtual field trip

6/24/13

"In the limelight" is a monthly series showcasing the ways people are using Google products to be better to the environment. Explore ways you can be greener with help from Google products on the Google Green website.Google+Zoo AtlantaGoogle+What is the concept behind the “Virtual Field Trips?” Where has Zoo Atlanta “virtually” taken people?Cortez the macawGreat Ape Heart Project HangoutWhat was the motivation for Zoo Atlanta to begin using Google+?panda Lun Lun’s picky eating habitsWhat are some of the benefits of using Google+?hereHow can people help animals like Lun Lun and Ivan?cell phone recycling collectioninfographicGoogle Green websitelaunch video

How green is the Internet?

6/11/13

working to answerLawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryTheir study

model“How Green is the Internet?”posted the videosPosted by Michael Terrell, Senior Policy Counsel, Energy & Sustainability

Powering our Finnish data center with Swedish wind energy

6/4/13

O2Allianz

Maevaara

highly energy-efficientU.S.GermanySouth AfricaPosted by Francois Sterin, Senior Manager, Global Infrastructure Team

Plug In @ Work, Google style!

6/3/13

Plug In @ WorkWorkplace Charging ChallengeCalstart EV employer initiative100,000th electric vehicle was soldPosted by Rolf Schreiber, Technical Program Manager, Electric Transportation

Investing in a South African solar project

5/30/13

(Cross-posted from the Official Google Blog)
View Jasper Power Project in a larger map

The Jasper Power Project is located in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa, near Postmasburg

When we consider investing in a renewable energy project, we focus on two key factors. First, we only pursue investments that we believe make financial sense. South Africa’s strong resources and supportive policies for renewable energy make it an attractive place to invest—which is why it had the highest growth in clean energy investment in the world last year. Second, we look for projects that have transformative potential—that is, projects that will bolster the growth of the renewable energy industry and move the world closer to a clean energy future. The Jasper Power Project is one of those transformative opportunities. To explain why, perhaps some background would be helpful.

Back in 2008, South Africa experienced a severe energy shortage, which resulted in blackouts throughout the country and slowed down economic growth. Since then the South African government has been actively supporting the growth of new sources of electricity to power the nation. While today South Africa is primarily dependent on fossil fuels, there’s lots of potential for renewable energy—it’s a country blessed with abundant wind and solar resources—and the government has set an ambitious goal of generating 18 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy by 2030 (as a comparison, the entire South African grid is currently 44 GW).

To meet this goal, the South African government has established the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REIPPPP). Through the program, renewable energy projects compete on the basis of cost and contribution to the local economy to be awarded a contract with Eskom, South Africa’s state-owned energy utility. Jasper and the other projects being developed through the REIPPPP have the potential to transform the South African energy grid. And given South Africa’s position as an economic powerhouse in Africa, a greener grid in South Africa can set an example for the whole continent.

Once constructed, the project will use solar panels like these.

Just as compelling are the economic and social benefits that the project will bring to the local community. Jasper will create approximately 300 construction and 50 permanent jobs in a region experiencing high rates of unemployment, as well as providing rural development and education programs and setting aside a portion of total project revenues—amounting to approximately $26 million over the life of the project—for enterprise and socio-economic development. We appreciate how forward-thinking the South African government has been in designing the REIPPPP to encourage these kinds of local economic benefits.

Google has committed more than $1 billion to renewable energy investments and we continue to search for new opportunities. Our search has brought us from the U.S. to Europe and now to Africa. We’re excited to see where else it might lead.

Posted by Rick Needham, Director, Energy & Sustainability

In the limelight: Biking towards a better environment

5/7/13

"In the limelight" is a monthly series showcasing the ways people are using Google products to be better to the environment. Explore ways you can be greener with help from Google products on the Google Green website.Bike to Work DayGoogle Maps biking directionsDetroit GreenwaysGoogle Map MakerDetroit is the birthplace of the automotive revolution. What is the connection to bicycling?How did you come up with the idea to use Google Map Maker?What do you consider the key benefit of promoting cycling in your city?Michigan Central Station to the Ford Rouge PlantWhat are other ways in which your city supports cycling?What does being green mean to you?Google Maps biking directions

Following the lead of nature’s engineers

4/22/13

website

remoratransitbearssave energyadjusting

seriesnature’s engineersPosted by Erin Reilly, Google Green team

Expanding options for companies to buy renewable energy

4/19/13

investmentsprocure wind powerinstalled solar panelswhite paperLenoir, NC

Our data center in Lenoir, NC.

Keeping our data centers green and our employees safe

4/9/13

BelgiumFinlandIrelandISO 14001OHSAS 18001

Screens keep outdoor dust from entering these cooling towers. we cool the data center with seawater

The tempering hut, the small building on the far left, is where we cool water down before returning it to the Gulf of Finland.

10 Shades of Google Green

3/21/13

As a member of the Google Green team, I enjoy working at a company that’s committed to minimizing our environmental impact and supporting sustainability around the globe. As part of these efforts, I’m pleased to share that our Google Green and Data Center websites are now available in 10 languages (listed below).

Personally, it was really interesting to see the sites in languages other than the English versions we use everyday (see some screenshots below). And it’s been particularly fun to learn to say “data center” in German (“Rechenzentren”) and Finnish (“Palvelinkeskukset”).

We invite you to explore these sites and share them with others committed to a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Posted by Jeff Eisenberg, Google Green

In the limelight: A healthy, green spin on comfort food

3/14/13

"In the limelight" is a monthly series showcasing the ways people are using Google products to be better to the environment. Explore ways you can be greener with help from Google products on the Google Green site.

These days, you can learn how to do almost anything on YouTube. From everyday tips on composting to more off-the-wall tutorials like how to solar power your next grilled cheese sandwich, you can find a wealth of videos that showcase ways you can be better to the environment. Today, we're sitting down with Cobi Kim of Veggietorials—a YouTube channel focused on healthy, meatless twists on classic comfort food dishes.

What was the inspiration behind creating "Veggietorials"?

I created Veggietorials to share my love of delicious and beautiful plant-based food. I want to give people a comfortable entry-point to learn, discover, and explore how delicious and easy veggie cooking can be.

How do you come up with ideas for your videos?

I find inspiration in so many different places. Sometimes I want to recreate a dish I’ve enjoyed while traveling. Other times, I'll see a friend post photos of an incredible meal that I want to try. My videos show you how to put a vegan twist on everything from decadent sticky buns to homestyle meatloaf. I live in Hawaii, so my dishes often have a local flair. Most of the time, I make videos about local comfort food dishes that I want to celebrate, like the hearty Loco Moco. That's a popular Hawaiian plate lunch usually made with two scoops of rice, a burger patty, and a generous pour of brown gravy—all topped with a fried egg.

Who watches your videos? Are most of your followers vegan and vegetarian?

Not necessarily! Many of my viewers are omnivores who are interested in trying something new. It’s such an exciting time to try meatless recipes because there are so many choices. I remember when vegetarian options were limited to tofu, salads, nuts, and seeds. Now, there are alternatives to almost any animal product or ingredient you would ever want to use. Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to change your entire palette if you decide to go vegan or vegetarian. You can continue to make the foods you've always loved.

How do you connect with your audience?

I reply to every single comment that I receive. I'm thrilled when people share photos of their version of a dish I've featured in a video. That's my favorite part of building this channel. And I create at least one viewer-inspired video each month, based on a specific request, a particular dietary need, or a fresh idea.

Lastly, what does being green mean to you?

In my world, being green means growing my own organic food to stay connected to the source, buying locally, and supporting environmentally conscious companies. These are just some of the ways we can tread more lightly on our planet.

You can find more creative recipes on the Veggietorials YouTube channel and plenty of green how-to videos on YouTube. Happy viewing!

Make a map that will change the world with Google Earth Outreach Developer Grants

3/13/13

(Cross-posted from the Google Lat Long Blog)

For the third year, I’m excited to announce the call for 2013 Google Earth Outreach Developer Grants applications is now open. Google Earth Outreach Developer Grants provide funding to nonprofit organizations ranging between $10,000 and $20,000 on average to build a map that will help them accomplish their mission, be it around environmental issues, humanitarian causes, disaster relief prevention, or health issues. If your nonprofit has a great idea for a map that can change the world, apply for a 2013 Google Earth Outreach Developer Grant today.

This year, we checked in with our 2011 Developer Grantees to learn about the impact their maps had on each nonprofit’s overall mission one year after the launch of the map. We were proud of the many achievements of the nonprofits’ work. Here are some of my favorite examples:

WWF & Eyes on the Forest mapped deforestation rates and wildlife habitat in Sumatra.

WWF & Eyes on the Forest created a map to showcase deforestation in Sumatra. With the Google Maps Engine map as part of their “Don’t Flush Tiger Forests” campaign, they convinced 17 out of 20 US retailers to stop buying toilet paper from companies cutting down intact hardwood rainforests and critical tiger habitat in Sumatra.

The HALO Trust mapped their minefield clearance work in a Google Earth Tour

The HALO Trust clears minefields in previously war-torn regions around the world, including Angola, Afghanistan and Cambodia. Upon the launch of their Google Earth tours designed to raise awareness about their work, they saw the most traffic to their website over the entire calendar year.

iNaturalist taps into citizen scientists who submit research-grade species observations to a global map using Android devices and iPhones

iNaturalist.org’s Android app, designed to collect species observations from around the world from citizen scientists, has been installed on over 2000 Android devices. The number of scientific-grade research observations has more than quadrupled. We look forward to hearing about the impacts of our 2012 Developer Grantees’ maps as they are launched in coming months. Good luck to nonprofits who apply to our 2013 Google Earth Outreach Developer Grants, and if you are a nonprofit with a great idea for a map, apply for a grant!

Posted by Tanya Birch, Google Earth Outreach

A proud partner in the Workplace Charging Challenge

1/31/13

Workplace Charging Challengepromise of electric vehiclesGFleet
Posted by Rolf Schreiber, Technical Program Manager, Electric Transportation

Paving a path to intelligent energy use

1/14/13

smart metersprogrammable thermostatsGoogle.orgEnergy Foundation

Smarter electricity rates that encourage consumers to be more efficient, shift their electricity use to times when it’s cheaper and produce their own on-site energy;

Access to electricity markets for consumers and other businesses so they can be compensated for cutting energy use at key times; and

Open data policies that give customers access to their own energy data, which they can use or share with third parties they select, promoting better energy management tools and services.

A wind investment deep in the heart of Texas

1/9/13

(Cross-posted from the Official Google Blog)renewable energy deal10 other renewable energy investments

The Atlantic Wind Connection received permission to begin permitting, an important step in advancing the construction of the United States’ first offshore backbone electric transmission system (more in this new video).

Shepherds Flat, one of the world’s largest wind farms with a capacity of 845 MW, became fully operational in October.

The Ivanpah project, which is more than 75 percent complete and employs 2,000+ people, recently installed its 100,000th heliostat, a kind of mirror (more in this new video).

Just yesterday (PDF), the fourth and final phase of Recurrent Energy's 88MW solar installation in Sacramento County, Calif., reached commercial operation.

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