Proof that Google intends to take over the power grid

 


Jun 17, 2014 By Jesse Berst


With its acquisition of Nest, Google gave warning that it wants to revolutionize home energy management. Now it is aiming to upend the utility space, at least according to Bloomberg.


Although the initiative is not public yet, my research into recent job postings suggests Google will be competing with makers of advanced distribution management systems. Google is already working on driver-less cars. Will it next propose operator-less control rooms?


Personally, I suspect that Google will make an Android-style play -- that is, create a platform that lots of other products can plug into. But that's just a guess at this early stage. Read the evidence I've uncovered below and let me know what YOU think is going on.


Google is developing software and hardware to help utilities manage the grid more efficiently, according to unconfirmed reports. The search-engine giant is in the early stage of developing both hardware and software tools. The effort is led by Arun Majumdar, vice president of the company’s energy unit.


Steven Chu, former secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, told Bloomberg that Google recognizes "there is a huge wide-open space and that the utility companies are not stepping up to the plate. They see a huge market opportunity.”


Further proof of Google's intentions

A recent job posting from Google seeks a controls systems engineer for the Energy Access team to be part of a team of “hardware, firmware and software engineers.” “Google is seeking to develop technologies and products to address global opportunities for electricity delivery via new and improved infrastructure. As a controls systems engineer, you will develop control algorithms for electrical distribution networks that focus on electrical stability and optimal dispatch."



Take a look at these job responsibilities and tell us what YOU think they are up to. Use the Talk Back form at the bottom of the page.

·         Design, validate and implement controls algorithms to handle electrical stability and optimal economic dispatch on power distribution networks.

·         Analyze and recommend approaches to handling dynamics induced by events such as electrical faults, equipment failures and system overloads.

·         Develop controls approaches and modeling frameworks that scale from kilowatt to gigawatt scale electrical distribution systems.

·         Work with the hardware engineering team to optimize component selection for performance and cost as a function of electrical stability.

·         Keep abreast of the latest developments in the controls engineering field, and partner with external research institutions on furthering the understanding of sophisticated approaches to the control of electrical distribution systems.


Another posting seeks a hardware engineer with a degree in electrical engineering and experience in power electronics and the design of solar inverters. Yet another posting seeks a financial analyst to help the energy team "support multiple emerging businesses by informing key decisions and helping them grow whilst ensuring that Google is making smart investments and taking appropriate risks." This person will also prepare financial models for new businesses and for acquisitions.


What do YOU think Google is building with the help of these new employees? The Comment form awaits.


Jesse Berst is the founder and Chief Analyst of SGN and Chairman of the Smart Cities Council, an industry coalition.