Google eyes Israeli geothermal firm Ormat

Google is in discussions with Israeli geothermal company Ormat Technologies, a relationship that could lead to an investment, according to Haaretz.

The Israeli newspaper quoted an interview this past weekend with Google co-founder Sergey Brin, who praised Ormat and the other Israeli companies working in alternative energy. Google co-founder Larry Page also visited an Ormat geothermal plant in Nevada, the newspaper reported.

An Ormat geothermal power plant in Nevada.

(Credit: Ormat Technologies)

Brin refused to say whether there are any imminent deals with Israeli energy companies.

Google's philanthropic arm, Google.org, has pledged to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in clean-energy companies. Last week, it was one of the investors in solar thermal power-plant designer and operator Bright Source Energy, which raised $115 million.

Executives at Google have been clear that so-called enhanced geothermal is on the list of technologies they see as cost effective, compared with fossil fuel energy.

The idea behind enhanced, or engineered, geothermal systems is to inject water underground to enhance the permeability of rock, allowing for the release and capture of more heat.

Ormat is working on an enhanced geothermal project organized by the U.S. Department of Energy, which says that these advanced techniques can dramatically increase geothermal potential--by 40 times.

Hat tip to VentureBeat.

[Vic49]

What is Google doing with an apartheid country like Israel, but supporting its racist illegal government? Google should be boycotting Israel, especially if it is to adhere to its moral claim of "doing good." The fact that Israel invades other countries at will, has the fourth largest nuclear arsenal and promotes terror on innocent people, legislates racism should be sufficient reason for Google to look elsewhere for its green technology. Serge and Larry, you need to listen to your original values and do some good for the world by boycotting Israeli companies.

[Techknowhow]

Didn't take much time for the crazies to get angry. I doubt that this person would be so angry if Google invested in China, or Arab countries that have no respect for human rights. Not surprisingly all the reasons he provides are all false. Israel doesn't invade other countries at will or it would be more than 10 times the size as it is now seeing that militarily it's more powerful than its neighbours. Secondly it doesn't have the worlds fourth largest nuclear arsenal, and thirdly it fights terror against innocent civilians.

But I guess facts and reality are useless in the face of abject hatred. Take a deep breath and begin to use your head in these matters... you'll understand things very differently.

[Kinslayer11]

Grow up. This is a technology news site, not a propaganda playground. I could easily refute every single falsehood you wrote, or talk about the fact that Palestinian militants are launching rockets into Israeli kindergardens, malls, hospitals every single day vs Israeli military action directed at the launchers of these rockets... but again, these arguments have no place here. If you want to indulge yourself in these conversations, go find a Neo Nazi forum, or if you really care about the conflict, join a peace organization, learn some real facts, and work to solve the problem not perpetuate. Either way, keep politics off this site, we don't want to see it here.

[rodtod]

So what if Google invests in Israeli companies? Yes, there is much division among Americans regarding Israel's foreign policy. But these issues are not something Google.org ought to bother with, nor something that should feature on CNET's Green Tech blog. Thanks Kinslayer for making that point clear.

What we should really be focusing on here is Ormat's potential as a power company utilizing developments in geothermal energy tech. Will geothermal energy become competitive with coal and natural gas plants, thanks to Ormat's efforts?

[Vic49]

South Africa's apartheid was brought down by a world boycott and Irael's zionist regime should be similarily brought down. BTW Israel is an ethnocracy, not a democracy. Technologists should understand the politics and make moral decisions.

[dveed]

Complete agreement. This is not the place for political comments. Especially bald faced lies that are so easilly refuted only the mentally challenged could spout them and believe them.