[The Vector] More from the Private Sector: Google – A Company Heavily Involved in Clean Energy Efforts

On June 18th, 2010, Google launched yet another smart energy project: cars that plug into an electric grid powered strictly by solar energy. The project is called “RechargeIT.org.” In the U.S., transportation contributes to about one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions, with more than 60% coming from personal vehicles. Google believes that by transitioning to electric and plug-in hybrid cars, greenhouse gases can be reduced, dependency on oil can be reduced, and power can actually be sold back to the energy grid – the vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology.

Google is committed to green energy; it has the largest solar panel installation of any corporation in the U.S. at its California headquarters. At 1.6 megawatts, this installation equals powering about 1,000 California homes, and was set-up in 2007. Google own mission green energy plan “Clean Energy 2030” was released in October 2008, outlining a number of ideas and initiatives for their company and a challenge for all to join in. The Google folks say they have been analyzing how they – and everyone – can reduce fossil fuel use by 2030.  Google’s PowerMeter and Ted (“The Energy Detective”) are two devices of interest – the TED 5000 is an energy monitor that measures home electricity use and works in concert with the PowerMeter’s software (free downloadable software – include link here) to evaluate your own energy use and thereby change behavior.

In February 2010, Google announced a new mirror technology made of “unusual materials” for solar energy. They developed the prototype that will be tested for one to three years. Google has put money into high altitude wind (Makani Power), solar thermal start-ups (eSolar and BrightSource), enhanced geothermal systems (Potter Drilling and AltaRock Energy), plug-in vehicles (Aptera Motors and Acta Cell), and well as their own green programs.  One such program is RE<C, a utility-scale project aimed at generating electricity cheaper than coal.

Google recently announced a $38.8 million dollar investment in utility-scale wind farms. The two wind farms in North Dakota are expected to generate 169.5 megawatts of power – enough to power 55,000 homes. Google is paying attention to its own water use, as well. Two facilities run on 100% recycled water, and by the end of 2010 they expect to user 80% recycled water of its total data center water consumption.

Back to the RechargeIT project, Google says that since most Americans drive less than 35 miles per day, most could easily drive a hybrid on electric, with the tank of gas as the safety net. Their mission with the RechargeIT project is to show that the plug-in vehicles and V2G technologies are entirely feasible, to get people excited to buy their own plug-in cars, and to encourage car companies to build them.