Google Go's Green with Wind Turbine Investment

Google Go's Green with Wind Turbine Investment
Emission reduction, green spaces, and renewable energy are some of the most talked about topics of the 21^st century. With the recent passing of Earth Day, and the undying rally for improved green efforts worldwide, some industry giants are making a large footprint.

 

Oddly enough, it isn't the work of highly regarded green organizations (i.e. – Greenpeace and Global Green USA) that's capturing everybody's attention, but surprisingly enough extremely large technology companies, like Google for instance. Recently, Google stated that it had invested $38.8 million in two North Dakota wind farms [1]. – "On Friday we made our first direct investment in a utility-scale renewable energy project — two wind farms that generate 169.5 megawatts of power, enough to power more than 55,000 homes." Rick Needeham, (Google's Green Business Operations Manager), wrote within that Google is greatly interested in discovering new opportunities to invest in renewable energy projects that really ”push the envelope."

 

It wasn't enough for Google to be the world's biggest search and advertising company; it's evident that they truly do want to power the globe. Although, this isn't the first time that Google has made a large investment in green energy. Back in 2007, Google dove into clean-tech fray, clearly stating that it would spend "hundreds of millions of dollars" to create alternative energy sources that are cheaper than coal, which as we know it is the world's dominant fuel source and pollutant. They included that their effort RECTC (Renewable Energy Cheaper Than Coal), would consist of wind power technologies, solar power, and more.

 

It's sometimes tough to make the connection between search and alternative energy, but with Google at the forefront of campaigns like this, it certainly makes me feel a bit more comfortable. With enough energy to power nearly 55,000 homes, Google is making a tremendous impact on sustainability for our planet. Non-profits and other similar collaborative units have been doing their part in supporting green initiatives since the beginning of the movement. For instance, Niranjan Shah and Globetrotters Engineering Corporation work closely with the USGBC (US Green Building Council) to improve building standards and provide LEED based architecture. Although, it's the unpredictable, long tail efforts of cash cows like Google that are helping substantially. 

Much like the individual,

businesses must play 

their roles in promoting 

sustainability.

 

Google entered into green technology development in startup companies and its own consumer energy tracking tools, although, they hadn't quite moved into actual working energy fabrication. This could infer future investments by Google, perhaps leading to the acquisition of their own wind powered turbine that would facilitate their own business needs.

 

Posted by Scotty, Scott's Contracting, Green Builder St Louis "Renewable Energy"