Smart Grid Technology has been gaining steam in the public eye lately, though many are unsure of what a smart grid really is. To understand what a smart grid is, think along the lines of an efficient system of metering, transporting, and controlling the electrical needs of an entire country and continent. A smart grid is a backbone of energy generation and distribution that is highly efficient and maximizes efficiency while providing inexpensive renewable energy. Programmable thermostats, wireless electric meters, self healing and routing transmission equipment, and advanced energy storage methods for responding to peak usage are all different parts of the smart grid model.

With more and more renewable energy projects being planned, the electrical transmission backbone of the United States is showing its age and losing efficiency. Lost efficiency causes us to use more resources and increases electrical rates for everyone. Even a small increase of 5% in efficiency could reduce emissions in the United States, equal to 20+ million cars and 250 billion pounds of CO2. A healthier environment and atmosphere are just a couple of the things that 21st century smart grid technology can provide. Pooled along renewable energy projects such as wind and solar installations, we can begin to develop a more efficient and reliable method of energy transportation.

Google.org is working to make viewing your home and business electrical usage an easy process. The idea is that Google’s PowerMeter will be able to show the user near real-time energy usage, and help the user reduce that usage during peak times. This will help to bring the smart grid into millions of homes across the United States and further bring out energy infrastructure into the 21st century.

In order to move forward with a reliable smart grid, energy storage will need to be revamped and designed to handle inconsistent forms of renewable energy such as wind and solar. High capacity fuel cells and technologies such as Compressed Air Energy Storage are showing promise in delivering energy when it is needed most at peak usage periods.

Smart Grid Technology has the possibility for the United States to put into practice all of the ideas and technologies that are being developed to increase energy efficiency and help keep the environment healthy. As new technologies emerge, a fully function smart grid would be able to incorporate these advances into the functioning power system while maintaining a high level of efficiency and reliability. 

Mega search engine Google.com, today announced an investment of $10.25 million in advancing the development of green technologies. Google is supporting a technology called, Enhanced Geothermal Systems, to help meet its goal of providing enough green energy to power a city the size of San Francisco. Through Google’s philanthropic entity Google.org, an initiative dubbed “Renewable Energy Cheaper than Coal” has been laid out to make this goal a reality.

Enhanced Geothermal Systems generates energy by pumping cool water 2-3 miles into a reservoir lying on top of dry, hot basement rock. The water is then pumped back to the surface at which point in condenses and creates powerful steam that is used to propel turbines. After the steam cools, it is re-injected back into the reservoir to begin the process again. This process allows energy extraction in areas that do not have natural steam pockets and hot flowing water.

The investments pledged by Google will go to help fund 2 companies and a university working on the development of Enhanced Geothermal Systems. $6.25 million will go to AltaRock Energy, Inc, which will work to reduce the cost and efficiency of EGS technology. Potter Drilling, Inc. has been given $4 million to design drilling tools capable of penetrating deeper and stronger rock. Southern Methodist University Geothermal Lab has been awarded a $489,521 grant to update geothermal maps and study geothermal resources in North America.

Google has recently been involved in many steps to reduce its environmental footprint and promote green technology. Data centers housing Google servers, are being designed to cut the energy needed for cooling to 50% of similar installations. The idea is not only to save money, but to create a self sufficient business model that promotes clean energy. This initiative is evident in the production of a 1.6 megawatt solar energy plant in Mountain View, California. Other projects include the Climate Savers Computing Initiative to create more efficient computers and servers, and the RechargeIT initiative aimed at developing electric vehicles and infrastructure.

Though $10.25 million may seem like a small amount to a power house company like Google, it shows considerable attention is being provided to changing the way we look at natural resources and energy generation. Google has the resources and intelligence to begin to leave a legacy that varies far from just creating one of the most popular websites of all time. Funding and support by Google leaders will help to attract more corporations with the potential for a green technology revolution. Though energy change falls on the hands of every citizen, major projects can not be completed without the funding and backing of large groups such as Google.

For Google Earth lovers, a map overlay has been provided by Google to show current distribution of geothermal resources. (Must have Google Earth)

Google has also provided an EGS policy brief to outline what the U.S. Government can do to help encourage the production and continued innovation of this technology.

Enhanced Geothermal Systems on YouTube