GOOGLE MAKES THE CASE FOR OFFSHORE WIND
The business case for wind power: Opinion
Rick Needham, June 10, 2013 (New Jersey Star-Ledger)
“… Google has chosen to invest in the Atlantic Wind Connection — a multi-billion-dollar electric transmission ‘backbone’ designed to carry power from offshore wind farms…[because] we believe investing in renewable energy makes business sense…Energy is a critical driver of our business…[and] Google is committed to using that energy efficiently and sustainably. Our data centers use half the energy of typical data centers, we build our campuses to the most efficient design standards, and we’ve purchased more than 260 megawatts of wind power.
“Beyond our own operations…investing directly into projects…allows us to diversify our capital while contributing to a clean energy future — for ourselves, for the local communities in which we operate, and for our users around the world…Since 2010, Google has committed more than $1 billion to renewable energy projects, including some of the world’s largest land-based wind farms, the largest solar power tower in the world, and both utility scale and residential scale solar photovoltaic systems.”
“…[O]ffshore wind…has the potential to power the entire East Coast of the United States. And the best way to achieve that scale is through the Atlantic Wind Connection…The New Jersey segment of this offshore high-voltage DC backbone, known as the New Jersey Energy Link, could carry 3,000 megawatts of offshore wind power, allowing the industry to achieve economies of scale necessary for success, and creating thousands of jobs for New Jersey workers.
“…The genius of the New Jersey Energy Link is that it takes care of the offshore transmission line permitting all at once, eliminates…separate lines, and limits the landfalls to just a few well-chosen locations. And…the offshore backbone can carry power when the wind isn’t blowing, making it an integral component of the onshore transmission grid, increasing resiliency and reliability…The backbone can also reduce grid congestion…which currently keeps power prices high….By committing to support offshore wind, New Jersey will position itself to become a regional industry hub…New Jersey’s commitment to offshore wind power sets it apart…[and makes] it an exciting, and smart, place to do business.”
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