About Google’s Energy Assessment Tool for Carbon Reduction

Energy efficiency is called the “first fuel” in clean energy transitions due it providing some of the quickest and most efficient CO₂ mitigation, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). 

To also help improve and prioritise energy efficiency as well as reduce price and emissions, Google is launching its self-service Energy Assessment Tool (EAT).

Google’s EAT is designed to empower facility managers to conduct preliminary energy assessments without the need for expertise and on-site cost.

A self service energy tool

The EAT is ultimately designed to break down the barriers to energy efficiency.

Through the energy tool, manufacturers can achieve significant cost savings and emissions reductions through energy efficiency improvements, yet many face barriers such as the high cost of energy assessment consultants, limited capital for efficiency projects and a lack of in-house energy management expertise. 

These challenges often prevent simple, high-impact projects from being implemented. 

To help overcome these obstacles, EAT is a free platform designed for manufacturing facility and plant managers to identify energy-saving opportunities and accelerate progress toward cost reductions and climate action. 

The tool provides actionable insights without requiring energy management expertise or costly on-site assessments. 

By entering basic facility data, users can receive customised recommendations covering more than 20 system areas, including air compressors, boilers, chillers and lighting. 

“We’re launching a tool that I wish I had access to early in my career as a sustainability leader,” writes Kate Brandt, Chief Sustainability Officer at Google, on LinkedIn.

“By equipping our partners with the right resources, we can accelerate progress, reduce costs and build a more efficient and resilient supply chain for everyone.”

The project provides multiple benefits, like:

• Highlighting projects with the greatest potential for cost and carbon reduction
• Enables assessment across multiple facilities for better investment prioritisation
• Supports seamless collaboration by allowing team and suppliers to work together, extending positive impacts across the value chain.

Google’s energy goal

Google’s goal is to create an easy-to-use, data-driven way to identify potential energy efficiency projects, offering analyses typically found in an "ASHRAE Level 1" standard energy audit. 

The tool is powered by a robust calculation methodology and comprehensive data developed by leading engineering consulting firms, distilling extensive onsite experience into a self-service solution that transforms a complex and costly process into one that is simple, collaborative and impactful. 

To support adoption across key manufacturing regions, it offers language options in:

• Chinese (simplified and traditional)
• Thai
• Vietnamese
• English. 

Individual supplier energy assessment data is kept secure and confidential.

The EAT is built and managed by a third party and has been reviewed by Google to ensure it meets stringent privacy and security standards. 

Suppliers can decide which partners to collaborate with and what summary data to share, such as total potential savings. 

“The journey to a more sustainable future is a shared one,” writes Google.

“By equipping our partners with the right resources, we can accelerate progress, reduce costs and build a more resilient and sustainable supply chain for everyone. 

“The Energy Assessment tool helps pave the way for our mutual success.”

The wider sustainable energy goal

Google integrates sustainable energy use across its operations and supply chain, focusing on energy, the circular economy, consumer hardware, water and nature and biodiversity. 

As one of the world’s largest corporate buyers of clean energy, it procures large volumes of mature renewable power while investing in advanced nuclear, enhanced geothermal and grid-enhancing technologies to support future innovation and economic growth. 

In 2020, it launched its third decade of climate action, setting a target to reach net zero emissions across all operations and its value chain by 2030, underpinned by an ambition to run entirely on 24/7 carbon-free energy on every grid where it operates. 

Google designs out waste and boosts material reuse in its data centres, builds durability and repairability into consumer hardware and pursues a more sustainable supply chain. 

Its data centres are among the most efficient in the world, supported by responsible water use and innovative cooling such as direct-to-chip systems. 

Alongside this, Google restores and protects nature on and beyond its campuses, from native planting and habitat rehabilitation to wetland restoration partnerships, helping to build a more resilient and sustainable future.