Google has entered into a 20-year contract with the NextEra Energy Resources to but power from Iowa wind farm. This is an addition to the investment into green energy by the search giant. Although Google has some on-site solar, it’s often difficult to guarantee renewable power supplies in many areas that it has facilities.
Google believes as per its corporate responsibility to go green. As per Google’s blog the company has long being trying to go green and promote the clean and sustainable mode of energy. The company had pledged to become carbon neutral and its latest investment will be used to power its various data centre as per the company. The renewable energy company based in Story and Hardin counties, will sell Google 114 megawatts of renewable power. Besides this electric cars and lunar missions and several literature classics, have all benefitted from Google’s pledge to make a difference.
In the past Google has already invested in three projects to advance Enhanced Geothermal Systems and develop technology to harness the vast source of clean energy beneath the earth’s surface. The investments in these projects are $4 million to Potter Drilling, $6.25 to Alta Rock Energy, Inc. and another $489,521 to Southern Methodist University Geothermal Lab for improving geothermal resource assessment techniques and updating geothermal mapping in North America.
However the actual use of the power is a little different. As per the industry insiders the power sold to Google will not directly power its data centers. Google says that this deal is to secure NetEra’s future and assisting it to grow. The wind energy given to Google as per the deal will be sold back to the grid by the company. In the past too Google has given assistance to nurture businesses it believes in. some of Google’s such ventures are investing in companies like OpenCandy, Pixazza, SCVNGR, Adimab and Corduro. This deal is the first by Google Energy LLC, an entity formed last December that allows it to procure large volumes of renewable energy by participating in the wholesale market.
Google has now attempted to influence the US’ energy future through this promotion of renewable energy.
NextEra Energy Resources has about 700 wind turbines in use in Iowa capable of serving an average of 250,000 homes. It has 9000 turbines in 17 states and Canada. It will have a guaranteed revenue stream to NextEra that will enable it to continue investing in infrastructure and expand the renewable energy resourse, while taking over 100MW off the market may induce others to replace the lost capacity.
The investment of Google in this sector is safe for fluctuations in the price of the energy as the deal is for a very long term. The move will help Google partially protect itself from future increases in power prices as well as reduce its carbon footprint.