Google Powers... Everything.

It's Official: Google Can Sell Power Like a Utility

Google Inc., the multitasking internet conglomerate, owns a subsidiary called Google Energy, which is the subject of the linked article. The Federal Regulatory Energy Commission has just officially granted this entity the right to sell power like any other utility company.

This is particularly interesting because of another Google subsidiary not mentioned in this article: Google.Org

Google.Org is a philanthropic division of Google Inc, focusing on investing windfall profits in a venture capital role with companies and organizations as a way of reducing Google's tax burden. Renewable energy is strongly represented in this portfolio, including high profile start-up technology companies like eSolar.

eSolar owns proprietary rights to a concentrated solar thermal tower design that has so far only been deployed in a quasi-operational pilot project. With their initial venture capital fund at their disposal to construct the pilot project and fund an extensive sales campaign, eSolar has locked down over 1 GW in PPAs already.

Here's the catch: eSolar initially intended to develop their own projects with their technology, hoping to rely on their big chunk of capital for project equity. Banks, however, have not been as receptive to new technologies in the current lending climate, and eSolar has experienced significant challenges obtaining the right combination of project partners and technology risk mitigation to actually break ground on new projects.

This leaves Google in an interesting position, being the proud new owners of an FERC approval. Via an inside contact who will remain anonymous, exclusive information was provided that Google has been exploring project development and ownership of renewable energy facilities.

For a company of Google's size and strength, not to mention money and influence, the prospect of such vertical integration in a blossoming market is somewhat frightening. On the other hand, many of the challenges to developing renewable energy that will be discussed in the coming days and weeks relate primarily to its newness- the risk inherent in new technologies, and the lack of experience and data. Perhaps Google's involvement on this level would give a jolt to the rest of the industry and bring credibility by proxy.

The Energy Equation: A Manifesto

I think of energy production as an equation, a multi-variable balancing act of money, resources, technology, politics, and public opinion. Most people understand that our energy strategies need to change, that oil and coal alone will not be able to fuel our growth for much longer. This blog will not enter into the debate about climate change, or greenhouse gasses, or global warming. Thousands of blogs exist written by individuals of all levels of credibility on these subjects, and frankly I feel that the focus on this aspect of renewable energy is detrimental to the goal of overcoming fossil fuel dependence.

The emerging high-tech societies of the world demand energy in astronomical quantities, and future innovations will require no less. The world's population will reach 7 billion in the coming decade or two, while most don't even realize that we're already closing in on 6.5 billion. This growth must be sustained by energy that is abundant and affordable. Fossil fuels can only continue to fit that bill for so long, as soon it will cost more to access the remaining supplies than the energy produced is actually worth. This is a very simple math equation. If a resource is finite (like fossil fuels), and it is becoming more difficult to extract what remains of that resource, then the resource's cost to the consumer must increase to cover the increased cost of production.

When exactly we will reach the point where oil costs more to produce than it is worth is irrelevant. Again, there are thousands of blogs that debate peak oil and I will not pretend to be an expert. It is irrelevant because even a casual observer could conclude that our energy needs are increasing exponentially while oil and other fossil fuels are being depleted at nearly equal exponential rates. Isn't it a no-brainer? These are limited resources. If we know this, why does it not strike everyone as imperative that we safeguard our civilization against a post-digital Dark Age where all our toys lie useless in the dirt with no way to power them?

Technologies exist by the dozens to tap the unlimited energy potential all around us. They are clean, sustainable, and in some areas approaching cost competitiveness with traditional fuels. We have a global recession that has impacted the construction and finance industries hardest, without much hope on the horizon in the next few years. There are thousands of engineers and other high-tech individuals either without jobs, or working in industries without a future. We can solve these problems and create a thriving energy economy to support the next generations of scientists, engineers, and constructors by promoting renewable energy as the next chapter in human history.

This blog will explore renewable energy from every angle. There will be live reporting from industry events, news and analysis from across the globe, interviews with renewable energy CEOs and industry leaders, as well as opinion posts and an educational series that will cover technologies, policy, and finance. I will leverage my experience as a marketing and sales professional at a well-known renewable energy consultancy firm (which will remain anonymous) to present the issues in an objective, logical, and business-oriented manner. I recognize that markets and economies must benefit from energy independence and The Energy Equation will provide the tools necessary for businesses, activists, and policymakers to not only understand the renewable energy market and but also profit from it.