Google and GE in unlikely enviro-matrimony

Google is the search engine monolith that everyone loves to love. GE is the energy and appliance maker whose public image ranges from ambivalence to dislike (and we don't just mean Nikola Tesla fans). While the two have worked together in the past to put a button on a phone, they don't exactly seem like ideal partners. But, hard times make strange bedfellows, and these two are snuggling up and cooing about the "smarter" energy grid they'll produce together. This includes more intelligent systems driving everything from electric cars to wind generators, which Google will tackle, along with a better infrastructure to deliver that power efficiently where it's needed. That is where GE and its industry-bending spin offs come in, though both expectant parents are hoping for a little help from our new administration to make the magic happen -- whichever new administration we get.

[White @ Sep 18th 2008 7:43AM]

yeah, cars and windmills with built in Googlesearch..

just what i need

[sam @ Sep 18th 2008 7:44AM]

Seems like it could lead to some interesting developments especially since it seems large corporate R&D is on the decline.

http://www.samalamadingdong.com

[Muhammad-Oli @ Sep 18th 2008 7:49AM]

"That is where GE and its industry-bending spin offs come in, though both expectant parents are hoping for a little help from our new administration to make the magic happen -- whichever new administration we get."

GE doesn't your crappy administration's magic! The GE Money GEnie will take care of that!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_rngLZbPA8

[Muhammad-Oli @ Sep 18th 2008 7:53AM]

Blast! I meant "GE doesn't NEED your crappy administration's magic!"

[Lurch @ Sep 18th 2008 7:54AM]

So...where exactly is that "button on a phone" link supposed to go? It leads me to some "anti-virus" site that is obviously fake. Please tell me that it happens for more than just me, because I'm not up for cleaning my computer of spyware today.

[suzor @ Sep 18th 2008 8:08AM]

Yeah same thing happens for me too.

[Muhammad-Oli @ Sep 18th 2008 8:50AM]

It leads to a press release for me, and it hasn't been edited since you said that either, cause I checked it the minute this story turned up.

[Daniel @ Sep 18th 2008 9:40AM]

That "button on a phone" link opens a anti-virus scam page. Dirty link.

[Graham @ Sep 18th 2008 8:05AM]

It could have something to do with the article yall posted the other day about google having floating data centers http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/08/google-patent-application-reveals-plans-for-floating-data-center/
Those have to be powered somehow.

[Wwhat @ Sep 18th 2008 8:22AM]

Google nuclear floating reactors?

[Sasha S. @ Sep 18th 2008 8:13AM]

I am confused here:

Network utilities and grid managers in USA have problems making present electricity grid work, so why would we believe that they could run reliably even more complex grid?

I think that a kid should first need to crawl, then walk, then run and then start learning for driver's license exam.

On the other hand: they are asking search company to help them build electricity network??? I know Google has experience in computer networks and they are thinking that similar routing could be applied to power grid, I have impression that GE guys simply wants to try food at Google HQ.

As for reliable power grid (with technology from right here and right now) I suggest a trip to Belgium and visit to UCTE HQ (www.ucte.org). Their cafeteria is nothing to write home about, but their knowledge of power grids is second to none.

just my 5 eurocents ;-)

[Mavric @ Sep 18th 2008 9:34AM]

most people dont realize it but Google has some of the best computer network engineers in the world, their job is essentially running low voltage power lines that happen to transfer data. most power company technology and organization pales in comparison to the high tech routing and switching done at google data centers every day, routing at that level is manually configured, so you have to determine which path data should take to get to the right place faster without hitting any cyber traffic jams. not to mention the hvac cooling systems google has developed or the huge google software division that wrote a specialized version of linux to run on their servers and desktops... also remember that making power efficient networks is a big specialty of google, imagine what their power bill would be if they didnt innovate power consumption as much as possible, investors wouldnt be happy. power is bloody expensive these days! and as for why GE doesnt team up with a foreign company? isnt it obvious? THEYRE FOREIGN, GE wants to team up with an american company to fix the american power grids problems. besides, this isnt a "give GE a peak at our systems" deal, this is a "let us at google look at your network and customize a solution FOR YOU", aka: we'll do the whole shebang for you if you come do something equally impressive for us...

[Mike @ Sep 18th 2008 8:40AM]

your 'button on a phone' link leads to a malicious site.

[Muhammad-Oli @ Sep 18th 2008 8:49AM]

Not for me...

[tealfixie @ Sep 18th 2008 9:33AM]

yeah for me it does too, engadget what are you up to?

[Tim Stevens @ Sep 18th 2008 9:52AM]

Sorry about that! Fixed now ...

[Sisyphus @ Sep 18th 2008 8:45AM]

Who is this Tim Stevens guy?

I like GE products...

Is there some hipster brand appliance turf war going on that I don't know about? Oh, damn. Let me guess. GE is a "me too" company and copied the stainless steel finish from LG.

I better stop showing people pictures of my fridge on the metro.

[Ian @ Sep 18th 2008 9:18AM]

Geebus, I thought my Mac had suddenly become Windows XP. I actually thought about letting it finish scanning my files.

[balloo4u @ Sep 18th 2008 10:14AM]

GE is much much more than an appliance manufacturer. They have technology in EVERY field, and I do mean every field. Fringe's Massive Dynamic is modeled on GE.

[Fabrice @ Sep 18th 2008 11:04AM]

Huh guys. GE has been #1 in the most admired country in the world for years now. It just lost his place to Apple and Google in 2008. Still... #3 isn't bad.
What the heck that Tim is talking about ?

[Uchiha Sasuke @ Sep 18th 2008 11:27AM]

Um, last time I checked "GE" is not a country on its own but a company.

[Hellaphunt @ Sep 18th 2008 1:50PM]

Last time I checked, you didn't read his comment thoroughly.

[dg @ Sep 20th 2008 1:31AM]

Last I checked GE was number one in America, not France! So you mean #2 most admired.

*Buh-dump CHHHHHIIIIIII!*

Sometimes I think I'm hilarious because my jokes are just not funny at all. I guess all that matters is whether I can crack myself up or not.

[Alex Padilla @ Sep 18th 2008 11:19AM]

Does this mean Android will be uploaded onto Jack Donaghy's Trivection Oven?

[POV @ Sep 18th 2008 1:00PM]

Google may love GE money but I indeed hate GE money - please will you let me off with the £1000 I owe you on my House of fraser card.......please?

[Ken @ Sep 18th 2008 2:16PM]

How come GE can't use that money to clean up the Hudson River they polluted AND WERE COURT ORDERED TO PAY?

[exNewt @ Sep 19th 2008 4:47AM]

Guess this sort makes up for GE's polluting the entire Hudson River basin with PCBs...