Google

Using Google to Predict Flu Outbreaks

- Adam Clare

Google Flu Trends uses Google searches to find out where the flu is spreading. It only works in the USA right now, but hopefully it can be spread elsewhere (so to speak).

From the New York Times (stupid login information needed):

“What if Google knew before anyone else that a fast-spreading flu outbreak was putting you at heightened risk of getting sick? And what if it could alert you, your doctor and your local public health officials before the muscle aches and chills kicked in? That, in essence, is the promise of Google Flu Trends, a new Web tool… unveiled on Tuesday, right at the start of flu season in the US. Google Flu Trends is based on the simple idea that people who are feeling sick will tend to turn to the Web for information, typing things like ‘flu symptoms; or ‘muscle aches’ into Google. The service tracks such queries and charts their ebb and flow, broken down by regions and states.”

Google to Make Solar Energy Cheaper than Coal

- Adam Clare 3 Comments

Google logoGoogle is at it again, we’ve covered Google quite a bit, more than any other company I think. It’s just so nice to see a company with billions of dollars at their disposal directing their energy at improving the world (and yes, I know that Google is nowhere near perfect and Sun is more the environmentally friendly tech company).

This time around they are contuning their solar power drive by investing in companies that will encourage the use of renewable energy. They emphasize solar power, but they are not limiting the hundreds of millions of dollars they want to invest in solar power.

“Our goal is to produce one gigawatt of renewable energy capacity that is cheaper than coal. We are optimistic this can be done in years, not decades,” Larry Page, Google’s co-founder and president of products, said in a statement.

One gigawatt can power a city the size of San Francisco.

Google is seeking to capitalize on the recent excitement among Silicon Valley entrepreneurs to apply the risk taking that computer, biotech and Internet businesses are famous for to the field of alternative energy production.

Google’s latest moves come as the price of a barrel of oil nears $100 and coal, which produces 40 percent of the world’s electricity, faces regulatory and environmental pressures that could drive up prices.

Greenpeace Tracking Whale Tails

- Adam Clare

Greenpeace is tracking the movement of whales to monitor their safety and help science. You can track the whales online using Google maps. From the Greenpeace whale tracking announcement:

Today we launched the Great Whale Trail, following the migration of humpback whales from the warm tropical waters of the South Pacific, where they breed, to the icy Southern Ocean around Antarctica, where they feed. And we’re doing it via satellite tracking and Google Maps. Nifty.

Video: The Great Whale Trail: meeting the tag team

Google Investing in Green Companies

- Adam Clare

Google.org is looking to fund a lot of companies that are looking to improve cars to run off of electrifying technologies. Google sees a lot of promise in getting people to use plug-in cars because it would greatly reduce energy consumption in the USA.

Today, Google.org has issued a request for investment proposals (RFP) to the tune of $10 million in order to advance sustainable transportation solutions. We are inviting entrepreneurs and companies to show us their best ideas on how they can contribute to this important cause. We need catalytic investments to support technologies, products and services that are critical to accelerating plug-in vehicle commercialization. That is why we have structured this RFP to offer investment dollars to for-profit companies to promote social and environmental change.

This initiative continues Google’s adventure into trying to be super-green.

Google’s Solar Energy Output

- Adam Clare

In the last 24 hours, Google produced 9,949 kilowatt-hours of electricity from the sun.

Google’s solar panels are up and running! In fine Google fashion, you can see how much energy the panels create each and every day. They also make it easy to understand, for example, 9,949 KW is equal to 6,215 dishwasher cycles.

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