Over the years, Google has become a superpower not only in tech, but also clean energy. The firm has become the company with the most renewable energy generated, and their next project heightens their rigorous involvement in environmental engineering: Geothermal Power Plants.
What are Geo-Thermal Plants and how is Google using them?
Geothermal Plants essentially use steam from hot water under the earth's surface to generate electricity. The steam is carried through a turbine which starts up a generator, in turn producing electricity. These plants are known for providing clean power with extremely minimal dangers towards the environment. Partnering with startup Fervo, Google is using their geothermal plants with additional fire optics to track their statistics and a horizontal drilled wells inside the earth, creating a closed continuous process between the heated reservoirs of water and the earth's surface. Google's goal is to create pollution free electricity.
My Take
Google's use of tools in oil and gas projects elevate the potential accuracy of the consistency of the plant. Having already deployed a plant in Las Vegas, Google is demonstrating the possibility of combining fields to achieve a goal geared towards the environment. Geo-thermal plants in general are such a renewable energy source, and by creating a constant running loop for the plant, Google is ensuring a reliable energy source. The decision of using the Earth's hot rock is actually very beneficial because the Earth's core as we all know harnesses more energy than we might ever require, and by harnessing this energy, Google and Fervo are cautiously and efficiently using Earth's resources for the better. Perhaps after the full success of this plant, we will find other potential uses for geothermal energy towards climate change. However, this breakthrough in environmental engineering opens the door to mass produce cleaner generators for powering the planet.
