Google is one of the companies that uses and offers Data Centers to the market to work in the cloud and to carry out a large multitude of complex computing operations. These Data Centers require using a large amount of energy, in fact they consume a lot of energy.
And all the companies that offer these services are looking for a way to obtain sustainable energy to power their Centers. Within that search, Google launched a geothermal plant project in Nevada (USA).
As a result, on December 2, 2023, Google announced that its first geothermal energy project, located in Nevada, is now operational. The project, developed in collaboration with the company Fervo Energy, has a capacity of 3.5 megawatts and is powering the Google Data Centers in the area.
Geothermal energy is a clean, renewable energy source that is generated from the heat from within the Earth. Google's project uses a method called "heat drain" to extract heat from underground. The heat is then used to generate electricity, which powers Google's data centers.
Google's project is an important milestone in the company's energy transition. Google has committed to achieving carbon neutrality in its global operations by 2030. Geothermal energy is an important part of Google's strategy to achieve this goal.
This plant can produce 3.5 MW. of electricity, which would serve the needs of just over 2,500 homes, and will only help supply a portion of the energy consumed by a Data Center. But the Fervo company has other larger projects to generate 400 MW. of electricity, and as the technology is mastered, greater powers will be achieved.
A video can be seen at: https://youtu.be/lHbtmgprhmA
Geothermal energy offers a number of benefits, including:
- It is a source of clean and renewable energy
- Does not produce greenhouse gas emissions.
- It is a reliable and constant source of energy.
- It can be used to generate electricity, heating and cooling.
Geothermal energy also presents some challenges, such as:
- Can be expensive to develop
- It is necessary to find suitable locations with high geothermal potential.
Geothermal energy has the potential to play an important role in the future of energy, especially in some countries. The technology is maturing and costs are falling. This is making geothermal energy more attractive to investors and developers.
Globally installed geothermal power capacity is expected to increase from 14 gigawatts in 2022 to 28 gigawatts in 2030. And Google has stated that it aims to increase its geothermal power capacity to 1 gigawatt by 2030.
Google's geothermal energy project in Nevada is an important step in the right direction. The project demonstrates that geothermal energy is a viable and sustainable energy source that can help companies achieve their sustainability goals.
And taking into account the enormous challenge we have from the Climate Crisis, all steps taken in the right direction to achieve sustainable electrical energy are more than welcome.
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