Google’s electricity usage can power up to 350,000 houses but still manages to stay green and reduce its carbon footprint across the globe. According to its website, it has maintained a carbon neutral footprint since 2007. While Google maintains the records for using the highest powered data centers till date, it is simultaneously involved in working with different organizations and energy providers to create clean energy.
The entire electric usage and conservation processes of this smart company are commendable and has some amazing learning points for small businesses. Here are 5 things that small businesses can learn from Google’s smart electricity usage.
1. Using Greener Modes of Commuting
Google only gets smarter with the day. While it uses huge amount of electric power, it constantly strives to create sustainable ways for living in every way. It encourages and promotes using bikes, kayaks and other non-carbon emitting methods of commute. While standard cars use gasoline, and make a carbon footprint, Google encourages its employees worldwide to travel through bikes, on foot and other means of transport to reduce and eliminate carbon footprints.
2. Electrical Conservation through Clean Energy
The company understands the need of renewable energy today and thus works in coordination with local energy providers to buy their own electricity. It uses at least 10% of wind and solar energy to power its massive data centers. Small business can work on similar lines to use renewable energy to power their business centers or workplaces in order to give back to the community as a responsible unit.
3. Maximize Power Distribution
With Google’s smart business practices with regards to energy conservation, small business can follow in their footsteps. The challenge is to minimize power conversion steps while taking care that each equipment is assigned an efficient power distribution unit. Electrical engineers and green engineers at Google work together to create top quality models for uninterruptible power supply (UPS). All of this can greatly minimize costs and energy losses.
4. Controlling Temperatures in Facilities
Businesses with factories and other sites that require machinery and equipment to work for long hours can use some intelligent solutions from Google. The data centers at Google use economizers to keep thermostats at best to be cost effective for the company. Anything that is above or below the temperature can result in high temperatures, heated equipment and hence higher electric usage. Also, using energy proportional systems instead of using machines run at full capacity can result in energy conservation.
With smart ideas from Google’s green efforts for the community, and its endeavors to create clean energy and reducing carbon footprint, business can learn great many things. One step at a time, smart engineering practices can help conserve energy, minimize losses and optimize profits.