Case Study: Google reduces compute emissions with Electricity Maps

Google's carbon-aware computing platform uses Electricity Maps' hourly carbon intensity forecasts to smartly shift computing tasks

Google, committed to running on 24/7 carbon-free energy, sought to align its massive data center electricity consumption with clean energy sources in real-time. To tackle this challenge, Google partnered with vendor Electricity Maps and utilized its hourly carbon intensity forecasts to gain precise visibility into the cleanest electricity on global grids.

Electricity Maps provided the data that enabled Google to build a carbon-intelligent computing platform. This solution uses forecasts to shift flexible compute tasks to times or geographical locations with cleaner energy, significantly lowering CO₂ emissions per compute cycle. The implemented system optimizes the use of existing clean energy, making Google's operations more sustainable and resilient.

Google

Savannah Goodman

Data and Software Climate Solutions Lead