Green at Google: Why and What? Bill Weihl Green Energy Czar, Google February 13, 2008

2 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

3 Corporate Philosophy Environmental 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!

4 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

5 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

6 Splash! Canoeing to Google Engineer paddling across Lake Washington to Kirkland office on “Global Alternative Transportation Day”

7 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

8 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

9 Google Goes Solar

10 The Googleplex Before

11 Googleplex After!

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15 Solar Carport: Aerial view

16 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.

17 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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