Google Granted the Right to Buy and Sell Electricity

by Terrence O'Brien on February 19, 2010 at 03:40 PM

Back in December, Google took steps to form Google Energy, a subsidiary created for the express purpose of buying and selling electricity in bulk. In January, the company filed a request with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to enter the market, and yesterday received permission to purchase and resell wholesale energy (PDF).

Google says it made the move primarily to better manage its high electricity costs, but also to give it more flexibility in pursuing the goal of becoming completely carbon neutral. "We want to buy the highest quality, most affordable renewable energy wherever we can," a representative told CNET news. A company buying and selling energy to help it manage costs isn't unusual, but -- then again -- Google isn't your typical company.

There is some expectation that Google will actually enter the energy business at some point, whether it sells direct to consumers or partners with existing utility companies. Back in January, the same representative told CNET, "We want the ability to buy and sell electricity in case it becomes part of our portfolio." Then there was the announcement that the company was developing low cost mirrors for use in solar panels. And, of course, there's the Google PowerMeter, which allows users to track electricity usage, as long as they have the proper equipment to upload the data.

Google has extended its reach across almost every type of Web service into the world of smart phones, announced a plan to (at least experimentally) enter the ISP business, developed a netbook OS, and now has implied that it may attempt to enter the consumer electricity market. With each passing day, those folks previously dismissed as paranoid for comparing Google to Big Brother seem a little less crazy. [From: CNET and ITworld]

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Earth-Friendly Home Appliances

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Earth-Friendly Home Appliances

Home appliances generally haven't been at the forefront of the green movement. While the Energy Star rating on some household gadgets has helped eco-warriors reduce their carbon footprint (and saved homeowners some money), it doesn't hold a candle to the devices that are designed to be green from the get-go. Switched.com decided to dig a little deeper – and found a dozen products that are truly earth-friendly.

1. Xeros washing machine
Though still a prototype, this new washer promises to clean clothes with just one cup of water and thousands of nylon beads that absorb dirt and stains, with a carbon footprint that's 40-percent less than the current most efficient washing machine. Initially, Xeros will only be available commercially, but the home market will follow soon after.

2. Equator 375 Refrigerator
This refrigerator/freezer only uses $50 of electricity per year. It's also quieter, since the components are sealed in. The downside is you'll have to manually defrost the freezer and -- at about six feet tall two feet wide -- it's a bit smaller than your average Frigidaire.

3. Aeromatic oven
It won't make dinner for four (well, not quickly), but this high-efficiency standalone oven will grill, broil, bake, fry, toast, steam and roast your smaller meals in about as much time as it would take to cook 'em in a microwave (but using about 80-percent less energy).

4. Bosch Evolution 800 Plus
Dishwashers are big energy hogs, but this Bosch model is 160-percent more efficient than traditional models -- with two eco-friendly modes and the capacity for 15 place settings. Be warned, though: Efficiency comes with a hefty $1,650-plus price tag.

5. Tankless Hot Water Heater
Ditch the old-fashioned water heater! Tankless systems can lower your costs and help you save time, as delivery of hot water is instantaneous. Up-front costs are high, though -- so it will be a while before you recoup the investment.

6. AO Smith Vertex 100
If you already have a tank water heater setup, the Vertex 100 is the way to go. It boasts a 90-percent efficiency rating, better than anything else on the market. That means a 30-percent savings on your utility bill.

7. Motion sensor lights
Parents! No longer will you have to yell at your children for leaving the lights on when they leave the room. The Levion Decora 150 switch senses when the room is empty and kills the lights, saving you money in the process.

8. Toilet Lid Sink
Wash your hands -- with toilet water? Well, technically, yes, but it's hygienic. As you flush, clean water from the tank is first sent through the spigot to dispense for hand-washing, then it heads down to finish its original mission. It may sound silly, but give this innovation a chance, especially considering that most of us flush our waste with pristine and clean fresh water, only to send it off to the sewer.

9. Santerra Green Composting Toilets
Poo and pee is 90-percent water. This toilet/composter evaporates your, um, 'business' then turns what's left into compost. It promises to be odorless and save water, which is nice -- but the required periodic maintenance and emptying gives us pause.

Tags: electricity, energy, google, google energy, GoogleEnergy, isp, netbook os, NetbookOs, top

Comments

RowedaheliconFeb 19th 2010 4:10PM

Neutral

When does Google Life start? I'm in the market for a new kidney,

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Thomas HoustonFeb 19th 2010 4:50PM

Neutral

It's still in Beta. Wait a few years.

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R BarnesFeb 19th 2010 5:02PM

Neutral

Great idea.
What's with the snide comments?
Not ok to be successful?
Read George Orwell before you make such a ridiculous
and lazy comparison (no I don't work for Google and don't know anyone who does)

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RyebankFeb 22nd 2010 10:18AM

Neutral

Ha - you don't know them but they know you :)

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Daniel MorinFeb 22nd 2010 10:25AM

Neutral

Competition is always good... it leads to lower prices and better service.

I am surprised Google is still clinging to this "Carbon Footprint", as if carbon is causing Global Warming. Professor Jones (the director of the East Anglia climate center) told the BBC about the possibility that the world was warmer in medieval times than now – suggesting global warming may not be a man-made phenomenon.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1250872/Climategate-U-turn-Astonishment-scientist-centre-global-warming-email-row-admits-data-organised.html

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Aaron FrostFeb 22nd 2010 11:21AM

Neutral

When Google starts imposing ridiculous amounts of taxes, then we can start comparing them to BigBrother. As of now, all the goods that Google has provided the public is free (with the exception of some development tools).

I agree with Daniel Morin, competition keep the capitalistic market honest. If there were no competition, capitalism (on a global level) would never have gotten us to where we are today (for better or worse). If Google can do X better (or more efficiently) than the next guy, then let them.

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Dave BellFeb 22nd 2010 11:37AM

Neutral

You left out a reference to Bloom Energy, and Google being their first corporate customer for the BloomBox fuel cell power system. Meshes nicely with Google's new position as a true Power Broker!

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Ant SharmanFeb 23rd 2010 4:35AM

Neutral

I wonder where Google (Inc.(Energy)) will be claim to reside - for the purposes of tax?
Google (UK) is registered in Ireland as a Lichtenstein SARL company and so pays nominal taxes there, so as a company earning in excess of a billion pounds sterling per annum from the UK users, it only pays the UK government only 6 hundred thousand in taxes. A fraction of what a "true" UK company earning that amount would pay.
If GoogleLife were ever to come into existence, Rowedahelicon, you would probably have to share that kidney with 15 thousand other users . . .

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