Here's an interesting piece about Google's efforts to decarbonize its operations by 2030. The tech behemoth is investing in infrastructure at utilities to ensure that it is not forced to use fossil fuels when renewable energy is not present.

From the post: Google has tapped AES to assemble 500 MW of renewable energy generation, which will be complemented by battery storage. Google has less than 200 MW of IT load in Virginia today, according to estimates from 451 Research. During periods of nongeneration, the idea is that the stored energy from the renewable sources can be pushed out on the grid, thereby continuing to offset Google's demand on an hourly basis. Despite the $600 million expected investment, the deal is anticipated to only cover 90% of Google's demand on an hourly basis, underscoring the challenge — and expense — of decarbonizing loads that reside in grids heavily powered heavily by fossil fuels.

The idea of providing custom solutions to large industrial customers is not new, of course. The post refers to such tech companies as hyperscalers. What's interesting might be the number of such tech customers, who have the most aggressive timelines to decarbonize their operations and the influence they might have on operations and bottom lines at partnering utilities in the future. Or, should the tech companies become utilities themselves?