Google to fund renewable energy projects

Google, the planet's most widely used internet search engine, is looking for a team of experts to help it develop one gigawatt of renewable energy capacity at a cheaper rate than coal.

The company plans to spend 'hundreds of millions of dollars' in renewable energy projects and research and development.

"We are optimistic this can be done in years, not decades," said Larry Page, Google Co-founder and President of Products.

"If we meet this goal and large-scale renewable deployments are cheaper than coal, the world will have the option to meet a substantial portion of electricity needs from renewable sources and significantly reduce carbon emissions. We expect this would be a good business for us as well."

Google will work with a variety of organisations in the renewable energy field, including companies, R&D laboratories and universities.

This is positive news for members in the renewable energy industry, who may be able to take advantage of Google's ongoing philanthropy.In 2004, Google provided a $1-billion start up fund to its non-profit wing, Google.org.

The mission of the organization is to spread awareness about climate change and poverty. Earlier in 2007 Google vowed to become carbon neutral.

The company is also trying to develop a fully electric plug-in car.

Google has all ready begun working with two California based companies; eSolar Inc., which specialises in converting fuel burning power plants to utilise solar energy, and Makani Power Inc., which specialises in wind energy.

Google's actions are an example of heightened corporate responsibility and what business, even low emitters, can do to help fuel the green market and develop technology innovations.

Too much of the responsibility of climate change mitigation is placed on the direct emitters in industry while many non-industrial business escape blame.

Google, whose function, much like many businesses, depends on the growing use of technology, is highlighting the need for all sectors to be involved in mitigating climate change.

This article is reproduced with kind permission of The GLOBE Foundation of Canada.

It was originally published in GLOBE-Net, the On-line Guide to the Business of the Environment published by the GLOBE Foundation.

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