Google looking to broker energy as well as information

Google has applied to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to become an electricity marketer, which gives the search company the authority to buy and sell bulk power at market prices.

"If its FERC request is granted, "we could go directly to a renewable energy project and buy power for our operations," says Google spokeswoman Niki Fenwick. The company also wants the ability to enter into contracts for carbon offsets."

In 2007 Google announced the creation of its renewable energy R&D group.

“Google’s FERC application could also potentially allow the company to play a much larger role in energy markets, even becoming a wholesaler of electricity to other big buyers.”

“Ms. Fenwick says the company has "no plans" to sell its energy management services to others or to become a speculative energy trader, but she acknowledged the "green team" it has formed "is not sure what we’re going to do."

Somehow I think Google has a very good idea of what it’s going to do. It’s also introduced the Google PowerMeter to allow monitoring by individuals of their power usage. Actually providing power is a Big Iron business; Google is going to provide information about power.

Via WSJ