Andre Yoskowitz
20 Feb 2010 13:38
Google has had their request to become an electricity marketer accepted today by U.S. energy regulators, allowing the search giant to begin buying and selling bulk power.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission backed Google's application, reads the WSJ, allowing the company to become a market-based rate authority. Google's application stated that it does not own any generators or transmission lines, and will not use its position for retail purposes.
Most marketers are utility or power generator companies, but a few corporations, like Kimberly-Clark, have been granted the authority as well, given the large amount of power they use. Google says it will use the title to manage its own energy supplies, and to "gain better access to renewable power."
"We made this filing so we can have more flexibility in procuring power for Google's own operations, including our data centers. FERC authority will improve our ability to hedge our purchases of energy and incorporate renewables," adds Google spokeswoman Niki Fenwick.