Google Takes a New Turn with Gas Power for Its Data Operations

In a surprising move, Google is backing a gas-driven initiative that includes carbon capture technology, subject to ongoing debates about its efficacy as a climate solution.

New Energy Prospect or Greenwashing?

Google has committed to a new energy project in Illinois, namely the Broadwing Energy Center, which will feature a gas-fired power facility. This plant will be equipped with carbon capture and storage (CCS) mechanisms designed to collect carbon emissions from its chimneys before storing them underground, in a bid to curb atmospheric pollution.

This initiative raises questions: Is it a disguised fossil fuel endeavor? Ideally, CCS solutions aim to mitigate global warming beyond catastrophic thresholds like uninhabitable coastlines and devastated coral ecosystems. Yet, concerns persist regarding the technology's practical and economic viability. There's a prevalent worry that CCS might extend fossil fuel reliance rather than accelerating a shift to renewable sources like solar and wind.

Google's Commitment and Market Dynamics

Google has pledged to acquire the majority of the energy generated by the forthcoming 400MW Broadwing facility upon its launch in 2030. The company emphasizes its dedication to advancing CCS solutions while rapidly incorporating learned insights.

However, CCS has faced significant hurdles in the U.S., with many ventures failing despite financial input. As per a 2021 Government Accountability Office report, of the $684 million allocated to CCS projects in American coal plants, only one materialized, with others stumbling over 'economic viability' factors. Moreover, CCS-incorporated electricity remains considerably costlier compared to alternatives like solar and wind.

Previous Challenges and New Approaches

The last noteworthy CCS-supported project in the U.S. began in 2017 but paused during the 2020 oil price slump caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite burning coal, it depended financially on selling CO2 for 'enhanced oil recovery,' which involves injecting CO2 into the earth to extract oil.

Google's current venture shifts this paradigm by utilizing gas, now a more cost-effective energy source than coal in America. Importantly, CO2 will be securely stored underground rather than becoming a commercial product. Google assures that Broadwing will sequester approximately 90% of its CO2 emissions—a significant improvement over past projects.

Broader Environmental Concerns

Despite these efforts, gas-fired power stations come with their own environmental issues. Although industrial jargon calls it 'natural gas,' this primarily means methane—a potent greenhouse gas prone to leakage. Additionally, gas plants emit pollutants that can harm local communities.

In contrast, wind and solar farms face fewer pollution challenges and are becoming cheaper and quicker to deploy than fossil-fueled power sources. Google, a major proponent of renewable energy for some time, has contributed to the rapid ascent of solar and wind energy production.

Political Landscape and Future Outlook

Interestingly, Google's release omits its historical support for renewables, perhaps a nod to the current political climate shift in the U.S. under the Trump administration. The administration has appointed fossil fuel industry veterans to lead key departments, retracting financial support for renewable projects and halting offshore wind farm initiatives.

Tax advantages for solar and wind energy are being phased out by Republicans, yet CCS appears to be exempt. Now financially supported by Google, CCS continues to seek viability. As Google's data centers grow in energy demands amidst its AI goals, its environmental impact has likewise expanded.