14 DAY TRIAL // Bill Weihl who made a name for himself after becoming Google's “Green Energy Czar” has decided to start working for Facebook. He will occupy a similar position within the company and join the team that has recently decided to give up coal starting next month.
Since both major companies share similar sustainability goals, Weihl's shift it somehow explainable, Data Center Knowledge informs.
Moreover, his expertise and knowledge are much-needed, since Facebook is at a turning point, after committing to abandon coal and focus on the benefits of alternative sources of power.
Weihl will most likely be in charge of the new campaign meant to green up Facebook's reputation while investing in renewables as a part of its agreements with Greenpeace.
Weihl has worked for Google for six years, a significant period of time in which he struggled to increase the percentage of power provided by renewables for its data centers.
Two of the most important eco-friendly deals are definitely the Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), aiming to supply the utility grid powering Google's data centers in Iowa and Oklahoma with clean wind energy.
The benefits offered by this project are far from being negligible. The two deals would ensure 15% of Google's overall energy consumption by the end of next year.
While working for his previous employer, Weihl didn't limit his influence to the sector of renewables. He also monitored the impact of Google's activity on the local water supply.
Due to his contribution, Google managed to collaborate in a successful manner with municipalities to make sure that its operations won't exceed the capacity of local sewers.
Weihl has stopped working for Google in November. His contribution is much-needed at Facebook, especially at this point in time, when the company is under the spotlight for its newly-announced environmental commitment.
Noticeable improvements are expected, since Facebook has been widely criticized for its coal addiction.
His knowledge will be exploited to help Facebook power its new data centers using only alternative, earth-friendly sources of power.