Google's Latest Project: Google Energy

From the what-will-they-think-of-next files: Search giant Google has gotten the all-clear to sell energy like a utility through newly-formed subsidiary (what else) Google Energy. Even more shockingly, there may well be implications for the IT channel. Here’s why.

As Wired pointed out in their blog on the subject, Google Energy is really the result of Google’s desire to go carbon-neutral. Getting cleared as a utility means they can build as many solar panels as they need to power their data centers without fear of legal consequences – and sell off the extra energy to the surrounding area.

So what (if anything…) could that mean for MSPs and solutions providers? Well, first off, it means that since Google’s no longer paying a power bill to anyone but themselves, the price on the server side for performing a search or creating a document potentially plummets.

Second off, those data centers could be leveraged to provide what can only be called managed power consumption services. What Google has over a traditional utility is the ability to crunch astonishing amounts of data. If they turn that ability on an enterprise’s power usage, they can, in theory, compile complete reports that can help reduce energy costs.

Of course, that’s just conjecture. What isn’t up for debate is that Google now has its hooks in yet another market, and another way to track their customers’ habits. That said, if the power’s cheaper and they can provide that kind of data, they may have another hit on their hands.