Clean, 24/7, zero-emission power is becoming a key to decarbonization around the world. Google recently signed Taiwan’s first geothermal power purchase agreement (PPA), signaling that Asia’s energy market is moving seriously towards an era of “carbon-free, 24/7 power.”
10MW Deal Overview: Taiwan’s Geothermal Power Generation Doubled
The deal will bring 10 megawatts of geothermal power to Taiwan’s power grid by 2029, doubling the country’s current commercial capacity from around 10 megawatts. The electricity will power Google’s data centers, offices and hardware research teams in Taiwan, significantly reducing its reliance on fossil fuels for electricity.
What is geothermal energy and why is it the answer to 24-hour electricity?
Geothermal energy uses natural heat from beneath the earth’s surface, converting it into steam that drives turbines to generate electricity. Its key advantage is its “continuity” because it does not rely on sunlight or wind, so it can provide constant power day and night. It is a perfect solution for technology sectors that require constant electricity, such as Google’s data centers.
A major step towards Google’s 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy target by 2030
Google has set a goal of reaching Net Zero carbon emissions by 2030 and a 24/7 CFE (carbon-free energy) target, so increasing geothermal power generation in Asia is a key piece of the strategy, helping to counterbalance unstable renewables like wind and solar, reducing the need to purchase carbon credits or Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to offset the organization’s emissions.
Supporting Taiwan’s renewable energy plan of 6 GW by 2050 and creating local jobs
Taiwan’s government aims to install 6 gigawatts of geothermal power by 2050, so the Google deal will create “long-term demand” that will boost investor confidence, increase jobs in the exploration, drilling and construction of power plants, and prompt government agencies to speed up the reform of regulations and permitting processes that have hampered the development of this type of energy.
Impact on the tech industry: A model for organizations seeking clean and stable power
When tech giant Google chooses “geothermal” as their 24/7 power source, it symbolically moves the corporate sector to look more towards ‘firm’ clean energy sources, not just wind and sun. Having long-term demand from global organizations also helps reduce future project costs, spurring innovations such as Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), Closed-Loop Geothermal Systems, and Supercritical Geothermal Systems.
