Key enzyme in the regulation of glycerol uptake and metabolism. Catalyzes the phosphorylation of glycerol to yield sn-glycerol 3-phosphate. ATP + glycerol = ADP + H(+) + sn-glycerol 3-phosphate Activated by phosphorylation and inhibited by fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (FBP). Polyol metabolism; glycerol degradation via glycerol kinase pathway; sn-glycerol 3-phosphate from glycerol: step 1/1. Homotetramer and homodimer (in equilibrium). The phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent sugar phosphotransferase system (PTS), including enzyme I, and histidine-containing protein (HPr) are required for the phosphorylation, which leads to the activation of the enzyme. Belongs to the FGGY kinase family.