Google’s data center power playbook comes down to details

Google may have signed it for President Trump a pledge of power without teethbut it is clear that the company started working a few months ago on systems to power its data center.

On Thursday, Google said it will work with Michigan utility DTE to add 2.7 gigawatts of “new capacity” in Detroit’s metro system to support new data centers in the area. Some of the details are still unclear at this point, but the agreement is based on one signed last month with Xcel Energy to build a data center in Minnesota. This is how Google will create new capabilities for its future data centers.

The new system includes 1.6 megawatts of solar power, 400 megawatts of four-hour energy storage, 50 megawatts of long-term energy storage, and 300 megawatts of “other clean energy,” which is a squishy way of saying everything from wind and hydro to nuclear and geothermal.

TechCrunch sent Google PR people a few questions, and while they responded with details, it’s clear that there’s more to the plan that either hasn’t been met or isn’t known. To be honest: Does “refined product” include natural gas? We have not received a response on this matter.

The remaining 350 megawatts of the 2.7 GW contract will be supported by demand response, and this is where large power users will reduce their short-term use. Its composition is unknown. Google may look for companies that are willing to dial back their electricity needs at certain times, or shut down its data centers when the grid goes down.

The DTE deal will also use Google’s Clean Transition Tariff, which it has been working on for the past year. These prices were previously used in Google’s deal with Xcel Energy. The goal is to allow Google to pay more to define the types of energy it wants to use and to promote tools to integrate such technologies into their long-term plans. Previous instruments such as power purchase agreements are often treated by utilities as complementary.

Google also announced that it is introducing a $10 million Energy Impact Fund that aims to reduce energy costs, including greenhouse gas emissions. It sounds like energy efficiency software that is controlled by devices, which has the Google name. Whether the $10 million is enough to address public concerns about rising electricity prices remains to be seen.

This is the second “bring your power” package that Google has released, though it won’t be the last. In many ways, it’s not that different from how the company has operated in the past. Of course, the price is new, but Google has been selling or expanding new production capacity since its inception. he swore seven years ago using 100% carbon dioxide.

The difference is that these projects used to be announced at their own time. Now, we are seeing the opposite – energy projects in the works are being announced along with new data centers. Smart marketing or something else? We’ll know in a few years.