Green at Google: Why and What?
Bill WeihlGreen Energy Czar, GoogleFebruary 13, 2008
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Google’s Green Evolution
• Executives envisioned creation of a green strategy group in 2005
– Focus on areas where Google can have the most impact
– Execute projects now and set roadmap for future
• Green Strategy
– Research and deploy high performing technologies
– Drive markets
– Leverage Google products and services
• Now have several green teams within different parts of the organization
• Strategy is evolving fast
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Corporate PhilosophyEnvironmental strategy is a part of business strategy
• Don’t be evil – sets high bar
• Green strategy is applicable to many parts of the organziation
– Real Estate: Green buildings & clean electricity
– IT: Energy-efficient computers and data centers
– Food: Organics & locally grown
– Commuting: less emissions per employee for commuting
– Employees: Keep them engaged and creative
• Look for projects that produce tangibles, data, results
• Experiment with technology, Beta Tests!
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Yum! Sustainable Food
• Over 20 Cafes worldwide
• Most food organic
• Mt View features several cafes that only feature locally grown food
• Farmers Markets
• Edible Gardens
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Vroom! Clean Commuting
• Commuter shuttles
– Over 1500 riders/day
– Covers 50 mile radius
– B20 grade Bio-diesel powered
• Self Powered Commuters
– Walking, biking, rollerblading, public transporting
– Rack up points, Google donates
• Fuel Efficient Vehicle Incentive
– Rebate scaled with reduced lbs of carbon equivalent/mile
• Free bikes in Europe
• Car-share program in Mountain View
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Splash! Canoeing to Google
Engineer paddling across Lake Washington to Kirkland office on “Global Alternative Transportation Day”
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Fresh! Green Offices
• Health & Indoor Environmental Quality
– Materials selection
– Formaldehyde free
– PVC free carpet and furniture
– Low-/No-VOC Paints
• Hand in hand with sustainability
– Cradle to Cradle and FSC certified products
– Energy Efficiency
– Water Conservation
– On-site Generation
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• The Climate Savers Computing Initiative brings together industry, consumers and conservation organizations to significantly increase the energy efficiency of computers and servers.
• Typical desktops waste about 50% of the energy delivered to them!
• Founding members include Google, Intel, Sun, AMD, Hitachi, WWF, Microsoft, HP, Dell, Lenovo, eBay, Stanford, MIT, U Michigan
Carbon Neutral
Clean Energy Goals
Carbon Neutral in 2007
Reduce, Renew, Offset
50 MW of renewable energy for Google Operations by 2012
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Google Goes Solar
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The Googleplex Before
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Googleplex After!
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Solar Carport: Aerial view
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RechargeIT.org – A Google.org project
Recharge a Car: Google.org is working with A123 Systems and Hymotion to convert our growing fleet of hybrid cars into plug-in hybrids and to collect performance data to demonstrate their efficiency – and provide a car-share fleet for employees
Recharge the Grid: Demonstrating vehicle-to-grid technology and funding research to make this smart energy idea a reality.
Recharge the Planet: Will help mitigate global warming by reducing the use of fossil fuels.
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RE<C: Renewable electricity cheaper than coal
• Focus: technology breakthroughs in years, not decades
• Focus:
– Solar thermal
– Wind
– Geothermal (esp EGS)
• Tools:
– Investments
– Grants
– Partnerships
– Internal R&D
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