Google Launches Free Energy Assessment Tool to Help Manufacturers Cut Costs and Carbon
Google has unveiled a new free Energy Assessment tool, aiming to close a persistent gap in industrial decarbonization by helping manufacturers identify energy-saving opportunities without needing specialized expertise or costly consultants. The platform targets facility managers, plant operators, and sustainability teams—particularly those operating with limited budgets and staff capacity.
Removing Long-Standing Barriers to Industrial Efficiency
Across the manufacturing sector, energy efficiency is widely recognized as one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce emissions. Yet many companies struggle to act due to high audit costs, complex capital approvals, and a lack of in-house technical skills. Google says these recurring barriers—observed among its own suppliers—have slowed progress on improvements that should be straightforward.
The new tool is designed to address these challenges directly. By offering a no-cost, self-service assessment, Google is lowering the threshold for manufacturers to explore efficiency upgrades and build business cases for investment.
A Comprehensive Platform for Identifying Savings
The Energy Assessment tool evaluates more than 20 equipment and system categories, including air compressors, boilers, chillers, lighting, and pumping systems. By entering basic facility information, users receive:
Customized project recommendations with estimated cost and carbon savings
Portfolio-wide comparisons to identify the most impactful upgrade locations
Collaboration features enabling teams and suppliers to jointly review data and coordinate action
The tool mirrors key components of an “ASHRAE Level 1” energy audit and incorporates methodology developed by engineering firms Jacobs and Anew Consulting. It supports multiple languages—including Simplified/Traditional Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese—to ensure accessibility across major manufacturing regions.
A Collaborative Model for Value Chain Decarbonization
Developed with partners such as Together Creative, Jacobs, and Anew Consulting, the tool is funded entirely by Google. The company frames the platform as a shared resource intended to accelerate decarbonization well beyond its immediate supplier network.
As global supply chains face rising regulatory and investor pressure to cut emissions, Google’s tool demonstrates how digital platforms can democratize climate action—especially for mid-sized manufacturers that lack dedicated energy teams.
Scaling Impact Through Accessible Climate Solutions
By making energy assessments simple, fast, and free, Google aims to unlock efficiency improvements that would otherwise remain unrealized. With rising energy prices and tightening climate disclosure rules, the ability to quickly analyze savings potential gives manufacturers a practical advantage in both competitiveness and compliance.
Google’s move signals a broader trend: efficiency is no longer a marginal activity but a foundational part of industrial decarbonization. The Energy Assessment tool provides a replicable model that other global companies may adopt as they work to reduce emissions across their supply chains.
