Amir Ben-Artzi
EE Times Europe
05/19/2008 11:59 AM

NETANYA, Israel — Internet search giant Google Inc. (Mountain View, Calif.) is in discussions with Israeli solar company Ormat Technologies Inc. about potential cooperation in renewable energy projects.

In an interview with the Israeli newspaper TheMarker, Google co-founder Sergey Brin confirmed the discussions, saying that "Ormat is a great company."

Brin added: "We think that geothermal energy, especially deep geothermal energy, is an interesting area — and it seems like Ormat is successful at turning geothermal energy into a big business. We are also considering solar energy and wind energy."

Brin, who visited Israel for a conference held by the country's president Shimon Peres, also said that there are opportunities for Google to cooperate with and perhaps acquire companies in Israel. He said that Israel is the home of many interesting companies in the areas of renewable energy, alternative energy and electric cars.

Ormat confirmed the discussions with Google. According to the report, Google's second co-founder Larry Page has paid a visit to Ormat's plant in Steamboat Hills, Nevada.

In November 2007, Google announced a strategic initiative to develop electricity from renewable energy sources that will be cheaper than electricity produced from coal. The initiative, known as REC, initially focuses on advanced solar thermal power, wind power technologies, enhanced geothermal systems and other potential breakthrough technologies. Google said it plans to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in breakthrough renewable energy projects.

Ormat Technologies Inc. (Reno, Nevada), develops, owns and operates geothermal and recovered energy-based power plants in the U.S., Guatemala, Kenya and Nicaragua. Additionally, the company designs, manufactures and sells geothermal and recovered energy power units and other power-generating equipment, and provides related services.

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