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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