Googles’ Energy Policy

For a company with the motto ‘do no evil’ you would think that Google would be taking a strong environmentally friendly stance. It would appear from what I’ve been sent and found online that they are making a pretty decent stab at it.

Google and Environmentally Friendly Travel

To help get people out of cars they gave away bikes (I dont know how many they gave away could have been two could have been two thousand). Looks like a good start

Google and Energy Saving

To help save energy in the office the lights turn off when no one is in the room. Seems like a small thing but imagining how many staff they have this is probably the equaivalent to a couple of UK streets living without electricity.

Google and Recycling

Like many businesses Google has an active culture of recycling - paper, bottles etc are all recycled. Which I guess has got to be good.

Google and Going Further

Over at http://www.google.com/corporate/green/energy/ Google have published their corporate policy on all things green. They’re investing in some interesting bits and pieces to help the environment. they cool the computers which answer all our questions every day with ‘evaporative cooling’, and have signed up to the Climate Saving Computers Initiative.They have also invested in some cool and exciting new ways to generate energy - I particulary like their involvement with Makani Power Inc where they generate power at high altitudes. Apparently this power source could supply all the worlds energy needs (better get investing in this company just incase).

Google helps you calculate your Carbon footprint

If you go to http://www.google.co.uk/carbonfootprint/ you can start to uncover your own carbon footprint.

All in all a good start for this series with Google investing in technologies for the future and not just paying lip service to environmental issues.

I was genuinely surprised when I noticed solar panels on one of the building. Solar panels in Perth! Whatever next. I have to say I was impressed by the fact that a company was actually not only using their green credentials as a way to promote their business but also appeared to be practising what they preach.

Keep it up Scottish Hydro.

The BBC announced today that the chief environment scientist has called for a delay on a switch towards until tests on sustainability can be conducted thoroughly and accurately.

Professor Robert Watson warned that biofuels policy in the EU and UK maybe ahead of science and to switch to biofuels before having the correct evidence could cause greater harm. Greenpeace and Oxfam both support the delay in the use of biofuels.

After 32 years it has been announced that there is plans to reopen the hydroelectric power plant near Whin Park in Inverness, Scotland.

The power generated would be used to offset the cost of the cities Old Town and Ness Bridge.

Local fisherman are concerned about the effect that reopening the hydroelectric damn will have on local fish life. The River Ness will be rerouted through the plants turbines and direct back into the River Ness.

Despite vocal announcements from Cadbury, Green & Black’s and Thorntons in 2007 there has been no reduction in the amount of packaging used; at times the chocolate will only make up 10% of the total product. Marks & Spencers were the only company to reduce its packaging, at a huge reduction of 57%.

Waste & Resources Action Programme (Wrap) spokesperson said: “Easter egg packaging is clearly a work in progress still for brands and retailers. However, the work that Recycle Now is undertaking with [Easter egg manufacturers] does indicate that there is positive progress being made, from the incorporation of recycled material in the packaging, to providing ideas of how to use the packaging to make new fun items.”

It was announced on Monday that German energy giant RWE are ready to offer £2 Billion for the governments 35% share in British energy.

Commentators suggest that this move would cause “serious damage to price competition”. RWE’s take over of the the governments 35% share of the would reduce the competition in the market place 3 out of the 4 major players would be European. This would surely reduce the price competition for the consumer.

The source article was published at the Herald online.

It was announced yesterday that Barclays bank will be aiming to cut it’s energy emissions by switching to HP’s dynamic smart cooling system.

This move follows a line of companies moving to reduce their energy emissions through their data centres. Google have plans for renewable energy to reduce the strain that it’s data centres are having on the environment.

This investigation has followed hot on the heels of Centrica, the owner of British Gas reporting £1.9 billion of annual profits, a new record for Centrica. In recent times accusations that UK energy companies are making excessive profits at the expense of UK consumers. These accusations have been made by organisatios such as Energy Watch - which represents the interests of energy consumers in the UK.

Following these accusations Richard Lambert, the Director General of the CBI, The Confederation of British Industry, issued a statement that defended the level of profits generated by Centrica.

The government tone has been to focus attention away from profits and onto what the Big Six energy companies in the UK should be doing to alleviate ‘fuel poverty’ and to end discrimination against vulnerable sections of British society. Often the lowest earning society are paying the highest prices for their domestic energy: power cards for example often place the cost of a unit of energy far higher than is available with a domestic ‘dry meter’.

The profits enjoyed by energy companies may be high but are they really excessive? What is it that determines an excessive profit?

If you have any thoughts on the issues raised above please let us know in the comments below.

From now on we’ll be posting regularly about what is happening in the UK energy market with everything from advice on how you could save energy, on where the best deals are, what the government and other agencies are doing within the energy industry and giving you the help you deserve about the UK energy sector.

We’re really looking forward to hearing from you all - so give us your comments.

Thanks

Michael