Google like all the big players needs huge data centers positioned around the world to handle the vast amounts of data they collect. In the March issue of Harper's Magazine, author Ginger Strand gives her take on Google's energy consumption needs and provides a sneak peek at Google's, used to be secret, super cloud computing data center in The Dalles, Orgegon. Included is the blueprint to Google The Dalles data center.
"Velcroed together, stacked in racks, and lined up in back-to-back rows, the servers require a half-watt in cooling for every watt they use in processing, and Google leads the field in squeezing more servers into less space. Based on projected industry standard of 500 watts per square foot in 2011, the Dalles plant can be expected to demand about 103 megawatts of electricity - enough to npower 82,000 homes, or a city the size of Tacoma, Washington."
With these type of energy needs it's no wonder Google is investing big time in renewable energy and plans on being a leader in the field. The author it appears is not convinced of Google's good intentions when it comes to clean energy. You be the judge.