Key enzyme in the regulation of glycerol uptake and metabolism. Catalyzes the phosphorylation of glycerol to yield sn-glycerol 3-phosphate. Can utilize other nucleoside triphosphates (GTP, CTP, UTP AND ITP) as a phosphoryl donor. ATP + glycerol = ADP + H(+) + sn-glycerol 3-phosphate kcat is 940 sec(-1) for glycerol (at pH 7.5 and 80 degrees Celsius). Optimum pH is 8.0. It is highly thermosatble. Optimum temperature is 80 degrees Celsius. Polyol metabolism; glycerol degradation via glycerol kinase pathway; sn-glycerol 3-phosphate from glycerol: step 1/1. Homodimer. It is not sensitive to fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (FBP). Belongs to the FGGY kinase family.