Google signs 20-year deal to power data centers with wind energy

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It's not the first investment Google has made in wind power, but anyone wondering about its commitment needn't look any further than the company's just-announced deal with NextEra Energy. It's agreed to buy wind power from NextEra's wind farm in Iowa for the next twenty years, which it says will provide enough power to supply "several" of its data centers. What's more, Google says that the size and length of the deal (taking 114 megawatts of energy off the market) will also lead to other indirect benefits for the wind power industry, and give NextEra the flexibility to invest in additional clean energy projects. Head on past the break for NextEra's press release on the deal.

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http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/20/g...h-wind-energy/



Good on them!

Skynet is going Green!

But that's great that Google is being environmentally friendly :)

When will people see wind power ISN'T the solution??? Shame on Google! What happens when the wind stops? You have to bring power from a power station... which you have to leave running 24/7...

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Originally Posted by Recursion

When will people see wind power ISN'T the solution??? Shame on Google! What happens when the wind stops? You have to bring power from a power station... which you have to leave running 24/7...

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Not really a shame on Google. If there is wind now, use it.

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Originally Posted by Recursion

When will people see wind power ISN'T the solution??? Shame on Google! What happens when the wind stops? You have to bring power from a power station... which you have to leave running 24/7...

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Wind power is what we call "a temporary solution to a permanent problem".

It's the answer at the minute because wind is available, but if they cared THAT much, they'd just be storing solar power energy and using many other alternate forms of energy generation, such as hydroelectric power.

They are also using other alternative forms of energy such as Bloom Boxes - http://techcrunch.com/2010/02/22/bloom-energy-boxes/

I remember watching the 60 Minutes video a while back and found it pretty interesting :)

Good on Google!

I think solar power is the way to go, because the efficient panels can work very well even when it's cloudy. :)

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Originally Posted by Recursion

When will people see wind power ISN'T the solution??? Shame on Google! What happens when the wind stops? You have to bring power from a power station... which you have to leave running 24/7...

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i'm sure Google would have looked into all the pros & cons of buying wind power

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Originally Posted by Special

i'm sure Google would have looked into all the pros & cons of buying wind power

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Umm no they haven't as it's well documented that wind turbines have a very short lifespan, require an awful lot of maintenance, aren't very reliable and they actually cost more to make than they will earn in their lifetime. So while it's good they're using renewable energy sources, they are essentially promoting a ridiculous way of generating electricity.

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Originally Posted by Jordy

Umm no they haven't as it's well documented that wind turbines have a very short lifespan, require an awful lot of maintenance, aren't very reliable and they actually cost more to make than they will earn in their lifetime. So while it's good they're using renewable energy sources, they are essentially promoting a ridiculous way of generating electricity.

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what do you mean 'no they haven't' lol, they are have bound to look into wind energy wether it's for profitble reasons or enviromental reasons. they arn't just going to think 'hmm let's buy a 20 year contract for wind energy' and sign the dotted line within 5 minutes lol...