Posted by Gregory Miller, Managing Director, Investments, Google.org

Today Google launched a major R&D effort and set a lofty goal of generating a gigawatt of renewable electricity at a cost below electricity from coal-fired power plants. Google.org will be a partner in this ambitious endeavor by providing funding for companies and projects with promising, scalable and potentially breakthrough energy technologies. Two of the early-stage companies we've begun to work with to drive down the costs of renewable energy are eSolar Inc. and Makani Power. We're looking for more strategic investments, so please write to us at renewables@google.com if you're working on this problem too.

You may recall that last summer we announced an RFP (request for investment proposals) as part of our RechargeIT aiming to accelerate the adoption of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and vehicle-to-grid technology. After reviewing more than 350 applications, last week we selected just under 40 companies in categories including batteries, components and vehicle-to-grid solution to advance to the next round of review. Look for us to announce investments in some of these interesting companies during the first quarter of 2008.

Makani kite photo courtesy Makani Power.

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Posted by Michael Terrell, Team Member, Google.org

Today Senator Barack Obama visited Google as part of our Candidates@Google series. Unveiling an innovation agenda, the Senator emphasized the need to employ technology and innovation to solve the world's most pressing problems. He called for massive investments in climate-friendly technologies to help end America's addiction to oil and move towards a clean energy future.

Transportation emissions comprise over 20% of the world's greenhouse gas pollution. To reduce carbon dioxide emissions and cut oil use, Google.org's RechargeIT project is advancing plug-in electric vehicle technology. This initiative aims to accelerate commercial adoption of plug-ins by demonstrating the technology, and by making grants and investments.


After Senator Obama's talk, our own Larry Brilliant, RechargeIT's Lead Engineer Alec Proudfoot, and Project Manager Kirsten Olsen demonstrated vehicles in Google's plug-in fleet. The Senator voiced keen interest in the government's role in encouraging widespread use of plug-ins.

A clean energy future requires innovative technology, sound public policy, and changes in how we consume energy. Most of all, it requires leadership. We invite all the 2008 Presidential candidates to visit Google for a test drive.

Update: You can watch the video of Senator Obama's speech here.

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