GE to Provide Cleaner, Efficient Power for China’s Zhejiang Province

Press release:

04 September 2012

GE to Provide Cleaner, Efficient Power for China’s Zhejiang Province

 

• 6FA Technology Selected for Three Distributed Energy Projects
• GE to Provide Approximately 575 Additional Megawatts of Power
• High Cogeneration Efficiency, Low Emissions Plants to Replace Older Coal Units

BEIJING, CHINA—September 4, 2012—GE (NYSE: GE) will supply five Frame 6FA gas turbine-generators for three power plants in China’s Zhejiang Province that will help to meet the province’s strong power needs. Designed for high efficiency and low emissions, all three projects support the provincial government’s initiative to develop gas turbine cogeneration plants to replace less efficient coal-fired boilers in order to reduce environmental impact and increase energy efficiency in the region.

GE will provide two 6FA gas turbine-generators to Harbin Electric Corporation, the main equipment contractor for a combined-cycle power plant in Jiangshan county owned by Datang International Power Generation, Ltd. The plant will be a key energy supplier for the Jiangshan area. GE also will supply similar equipment for a facility in Quzhou city owned by Quzhou Puxing, a subsidiary of Wanxiang Group, which will supply power for the Quzhou Kecheng economic development zone. Each of these plants will produce up to 230 megawatts of power with a thermal efficiency of 53.5 percent in combined-cycle operation and up to approximately 80 percent in cogeneration mode. A typical coal-fired plant of similar size operates at efficiency levels around 30 percent.

In addition, GE will provide one 6FA gas turbine-generator for a power plant near Huzhou city owned by Amber Energy Co. Ltd. That plant, a key energy supplier for the Anji economic development zone, will have an output capacity of 115 megawatts.

When they enter commercial operation in December 2012, the three new plants will produce a total of approximately 575 megawatts of power in Zhejiang province, alleviating this year’s power shortage of approximately 7000 megawatts and securing the process heating supply for related industries in the area. Natural gas from China’s landmark West-to-East Pipeline II will be the primary fuel for each plant.

“Each project will meet the electricity and heating demands of the surrounding industrial areas and residential districts with limited environmental impact, compared with older technology plants,” said Walter Wang, GM, thermal enterprise commercial for GE Power & Water. “With their midrange output, high efficiency, high exhaust energy for steam production and low emissions, our 6FA gas turbines are an excellent match for distributed energy applications such as these.”

In a distributed energy project, electricity and heat are generated on-site, at or near the point of use. This is a highly reliable source of energy and eliminates the cost and the risk associated with distributing power from a centralized power plant over long distances.

The 6FA gas turbine is a mid-sized version of GE’s widely used 7FA and 9FA gas turbines. Designed for 50 or 60 hertz grids, the gear-driven 6FA gas turbine addresses mid-sized power block needs with high performance. Its output range, high exhaust energy, full packaging and robust design make the 6FA well suited for a wide range of distributed energy applications, including industrial cogeneration and district heating. More than 140 6FA gas turbines have been sold worldwide. The 6FA is ecomagination- qualified.Ecomagination is GE’s commitment to providing innovative solutions that maximize resources, drive efficiencies and help make the world work better.

About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.

Follow GE Power & Water and ecomagination on Twitter @GE_PowerWaterand @ecomagination.

Master-Planned Community Masters Energy-Saving Street Lighting with GE Evolve LED Fixtures

Press release from General Electric:

28 August 2012

Master-Planned Community Masters Energy-Saving Street Lighting with GE Evolve LED Fixtures

 

• 
•  View Details

 

EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio — August 28, 2012 — (NYSE:GE) — When Lake Nona pursued a vision to line its Southeast Orlando streets with new lighting, the 7,000-acre, master-planned community needed to match exacting aesthetic guidelines to leading-edge technology. Community leaders found their answer in GE Lighting’s Evolve™ LED Contemporary Twin Support Post Top and Evolve LED Roadway fixtures. Combined, the energy-saving street lighting fixtures will consume approximately 253,000 fewer kilowatt hours (kWhs) of electricity a year as opposed to traditional high-intensity discharge (HID) lighting – a $27,000 utility cost reduction.

Adjacent to Orlando’s international airport, Lake Nona was established in the late 1980s and has continued to grow into the state-of-the-art community it is today. A recent surge in development caused Lake Nona to consider new energy-saving street lighting to match the modern architecture and design of new businesses, medical facilities and a residential neighborhood of 2,700 homes.

“We wanted to push our energy savings initiatives, so we made the commitment to going 100 percent LED with our street lighting,” said Richard Levey, vice president of planning, Lake Nona. “But none of the decorative fixtures we were being shown had the exact design aesthetic we wanted, and we felt it was critical to install a forward-focused lighting solution to go above and beyond in all aspects of the community to build long-term value for our residents.”

Lake Nona architects connected with GE Lighting engineers to arrive at a decorative fixture solution that matched the community’s contemporary look and feel. The fixture uses the same energy-efficient LED technology as other GE Evolve LED post top fixtures; the base and pole being specially designed for Lake Nona.

More than 370 Evolve LED fixtures now illuminate Lake Nona where a 175-watt metal halide system had been originally proposed. GE’s 86-watt LED fixtures will save the community about $18,000 a year by drawing 170,000 fewer kWhs.

Orlando’s local electric utility, Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) also helped make Lake Nona’s decision easy with its OUC Convenient Lighting Program. This program bundles pole and luminaire purchases, installation, design, expertise, maintenance and energy costs all into one convenient point of contact.

“The payback for us has been almost immediate – we’ve essentially seen savings since day one,” said Levey. “Lake Nona’s unique relationship with OUC coupled with OUC’s long and successful partnership with GE Lighting ensured this project would proceed flawlessly. The LED technology is so efficient that, when paired with an energy credit also earned from OUC, it didn’t make sense not to install the new fixtures. It was a win-win.”

Throughout Lake Nona, GE’s Evolve LED Contemporary Post Top fixtures also reduced glare commonly cast onto lawns or into homes by conventional street lighting.

“This lighting is exactly what we wanted. It fits perfectly with our vision — it’s the right scale and the right character. GE did what we didn’t think was possible — they took an idea, really a picture, from us and turned it into a phenomenal product in record time,” said Levey, explaining Lake Nona received the first fixtures in time to satisfy the project’s aggressive timeline.

Around Lake Nona, new lighting on more heavily traveled arterial and collector streets was also installed. GE’s Evolve LED Roadway fixtures, drawing 130 watts each, avoided a 250-watt high-pressure sodium (HPS) fixture design, saving 83,000 kWhs annually, or nearly $9,000. The 134 fixtures feature advanced reflective optics to more efficiently aim light where it’s needed. A unique heat sink design further provides excellent thermal management to extend LED life.

GE Evolve LED Contemporary Post Top and Roadway fixtures have helped Lake Nona achieve its goal of creating a community both contemporary and futuristic in nature. And this represents only 10 percent of total project completion. In coming years, Lake Nona anticipates more than 5,000 GE outdoor LED fixtures will be installed at community education, medical, retail, residential and recreational facilities.

LED lighting installations are just one component of a larger corporate relationship between Lake Nona and GE. GE’s ecomagination℠ and healthymagination solutions are being showcased in hospitals, homes and clinics as part of Lake Nona’s commitment to developing an innovative health and sustainability community. Among GE’s innovative, energy-efficient products currently available in Lake Nona homes are compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs and ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances including refrigeration, laundry and water heater units.

“The specific example of the LED streetlight project speaks about the level of this kind of relationship between Lake Nona and GE,” said Cody Bunce, Associate, GE Enterprise Team. “The fact that the Lake Nona team brought realistic ideas of what they wanted to accomplish with LED light fixtures made their big ideas, like creating a lamp to call their own, very doable.”

For more information about the GE Lighting products used in this project, visitwww.gelightingsolutions.com.

About Lake NonaLake Nona is a 7,000-acre master-planned community within the city limits of Orlando that will be home to world-class education, medical and recreational facilities, a medical city, diverse workspaces, retail centers, entertainment choices and residential options for all types of people seeking the best the city has to offer with all the conveniences of living within a dynamic, vibrant community. Lake Nona is being developed by Lake Nona Property Holdings, owned by Tavistock Group, a private investment company with a broad portfolio of assets around the world.

For more information on Lake Nona, visit www.learnlakenona.com.

About Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC)Established in 1923 by a special act of the Florida Legislature, OUC—The Reliable One is the second largest municipal utility in Florida. OUC provides electric and water services to nearly 225,000 customers in Orlando, St. Cloud and parts of unincorporated Orange and Osceola counties. Visitwww.ouc.com to learn more about our commitment to reliability, affordability and sustainability.

About GE Lighting
GE Lighting invents with the vigor of its founder Thomas Edison to develop energy-efficient solutions that change the way people light their world in commercial, industrial, municipal and residential settings. The business employs over 17,000 people in more than 100 countries, and sells products under the Reveal^® and Energy Smart^® consumer brands, and Evolve™, GTx™, Immersion™, Infusion™, Lumination™ and Tetra^® commercial brands, all trademarks of GE. General Electric (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter to build a world that works better. For more information, visitwww.gelighting.com.

GE Unveils the First Tier 4 Heavy-Haul Locomotive

Press release:

24 August 2012

GE Unveils the First Tier 4 Heavy-Haul Locomotive

 

· Cleanest, smartest and most fuel-efficient diesel-electric Evolution® Series Locomotive for heavy-haul freight will meet EPA Tier 4 emission requirements

· Breakthrough diesel engine technology to reduce key emissions by more than 70 percent

· Enables freight railroads to save more than $1.5 billion in infrastructure and operating costs

· Locomotives designed and developed in partnership with GE’s U.S. rail customers, and manufactured domestically

· Investment of $600 million over eight years to hone cutting-edge technology

ERIE, Pa.--24 August 2012-- GE Transportation (NYSE: GE) today unveiled the prototype for its next Evolution® Series Locomotive that will decrease constituent emissions by more than 70 percent and save railroad customers more than $1.5 billion in infrastructure and operational costs¹. GE expects that the locomotive will be the first in the industry to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) stringent “Tier 4” emission standards, which call for the single-largest emission reduction in the tiered program’s timeline. The new locomotive will meet this standard with technological advancements versus costly alternatives, which require special exhaust additives and infrastructure investments.

This new locomotive is part of GE’s ecomagination-qualified Evolution SeriesLocomotive family – the best-selling global locomotive platform. Today, more than 5,000 Evolution Series Locomotives operate in the U.S. and globally, allowing railroads to move one ton of freight more than 480 miles on a single gallon of fuel. This new engine technology is the result of an initial six-year, $400 million investment, followed by a two-year, $200 million investment to hone the research, design and engineering to meet Tier 4 standards.

Lorenzo Simonelli, President and CEO of GE Transportation said, “GE Transportation continues to challenge what is possible and reshape the future of the rail industry in the United States. Thanks to the tireless efforts of our employees and the collaboration with our customers, we are the first in the industry to offer a solution that meets the next phase of the EPA’s emissions standards. Our technology is good for our customers and better for the environment.”

Tom Corbett, Governor of Pennsylvania said, "This is another example of the innovation and ingenuity of the Erie workforce and GE. My administration firmly believes we can be successful in business while also safeguarding our environment and this advancement does exactly that. Congratulations to the GE Transportation team on this milestone achievement."

The EPA has introduced “Tier 4” industry standards that require reduction of locomotive emissions to curb the potential environmental effects typically associated with these emissions. Effective in 2015, the EPA will require manufacturers of locomotive diesel engines to lower particulate emissions 70 percent and NOx 76 percent, compared to engines first introduced in 2005. Alternative solutions would likely rely on the use of a Urea exhaust additive to meet these Tier 4 emission standards, requiring railroads to build an extensive network of fueling stations across North America. As a result of GE’s diesel engine combustion research and innovative technology, GE’s Evolution Series Locomotive will not require the additive and railroad customers will not have to incur the costs related to rail infrastructure upgrades.

U.S. Transportation Deputy Secretary John Porcari said, “Rail manufacturing is a critical part of President Obama’s commitment to revitalizing American manufacturing, creating jobs, and building a safer, faster, and more efficient national transportation systems. Since the beginning of 2011, GE Transportation has announced more than 2,000 new U.S. jobs, which is great news for workers and the local economy. Rail manufacturing companies, including GE, are helping to build better, safer transportation networks and a stronger economic foundation for years to come.”

Powered by Collaboration

This new locomotive technology is a prime example of how GE works together with its customers to develop solutions that help make the world work better. GE gathered inputs from its North American Class I railroad customers concerning safety, reliability, fuel usage and operational needs, and then partnered with its operations and maintenance teams to test the new design’s real-world functionality. These sessions generated invaluable feedback around accessibility of parts, the layout and design, and above all safety.

In addition, GE applied the breadth and depth of technical expertise from its Global Research Center and other GE businesses to develop the Evolution Series engine, enhancing key engine systems and components, as well as other support systems. These changes will enhance the locomotive’s pulling capability, performance, emission reductions and fuel efficiency.

American Innovation at Work

GE Transportation plans to build its Tier 4 Evolution Series Locomotives at one or both of its U.S. locomotive manufacturing sites in Erie, PA and Fort Worth, TX. GE will produce its Tier 4 compliant diesel engines at its manufacturing plant in Grove City, PA. GE Transportation currently has approximately 6,350 employees in Northwestern Pennsylvania, including 5,500 at its Erie site and 850 at its Grove City site.

About GE

GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.

About GE Transportation

GE Transportation, a unit of GE (NYSE: GE), solves the world’s toughest transportation challenges. GE Transportation builds equipment that moves the rail, mining and marine industries. Our fuel-efficient and lower-emissions freight and passenger locomotives, diesel engines for rail, marine and stationary power applications, signaling and software solutions, drive systems for mining trucks, underground mining equipment, energy storage systems, and value-added services help customers grow. GE Transportation has approximately 12,000 employees worldwide. For more information visit the company's website at www.getransportation.com.

¹ US EPA Publication EPA420-R-08-001a, May 2008

Energy Department Investments to Develop Lighter, Stronger Materials for Greater Vehicle Fuel Economy

Press release from the U.S. Dept. of Energy:

Energy Department Investments to Develop Lighter, Stronger Materials for Greater Vehicle Fuel Economy

August 13, 2012 - 9:14am

WASHINGTON – As part of the Obama Administration’s all-of-the-above energy strategy to reduce the United States’ reliance on foreign oil and save drivers money at the pump, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today seven new projects to accelerate the development and deployment of stronger and lighter materials for the next generation of American-made cars and trucks. These projects include the development and validation of modeling tools to deliver higher performing carbon fiber composites and advanced steels, as well as research into new lightweight, high-strength alloys for energy-efficient vehicle and truck engines.

“With strong, lightweight materials we have an opportunity to dramatically increase vehicle fuel economy, while helping America maintain its competitive edge in automotive design and manufacturing,” said Secretary Chu. “Today’s investment in new lightweight materials builds on the Obama Administration’s historic fuel economy standards that are already helping drivers save money at the pump.”

The Obama Administration has taken unprecedented steps to improve the fuel efficiency of American vehicles, reaching historic agreements to improve fuel economy standards for passenger cars and light-duty trucks through Model Year 2025. These standards are expected to save consumers $1.7 trillion at the pump, or about $8,200 in costs over the lifetime of each vehicle. In fact, the initial set of standards for Model Years 2011 to 2016 is already having an impact for American families and businesses. The Energy Information Administration estimates model year 2011 cars achieved record average fuel economy at 34.4 miles per gallon, representing a 2 percent increase over 2010 model year cars.

Achieving the goals of this historic agreement will rely on innovative technologies and manufacturing that will spur economic growth and create high-quality domestic jobs in cutting edge industries across America. The projects announced today will help provide additional technologies and innovations that will enable manufacturers to continue to improve vehicle fuel efficiency beyond the regulated levels. Advanced materials are essential for boosting the fuel economy of cars and trucks while maintaining and improving safety and performance. Replacing cast iron and traditional steel components with lightweight materials – including advanced high-strength steel, magnesium, aluminum, and carbon fiber composites – allows vehicle manufacturers to include additional safety devices, integrated electronic systems and emissions control equipment on vehicles without increasing their weight. Using lighter materials also reduces a vehicle’s fuel consumption. Reducing a vehicle’s weight by just 10 percent can improve the fuel economy by 6 to 8 percent.

The new investments announced today support materials innovation in two critical areas:
Improving Carbon Fiber Composites and Advanced Steel through Computational Design
The Energy Department will award two projects to validate existing modeling tools to optimize the performance and cost-effectiveness of carbon fiber and other specialized composite materials for vehicle body, chassis and interior uses. For example, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, based in Richland, Washington, is receiving a $1 million investment to validate carbon fiber composite models.

Additionally, the Department is investing $6 million to develop new modeling tools to advance third-generation high-strength steels. Through this project, Detroit-based United States Automotive Materials Partnership will leverage an additional $2.5 million in private investment to help create modeling tools for deploying high-strength steels for lighter passenger vehicles.

Advanced Alloy Development for Automotive and Heavy-Duty Engines
Today’s investment also includes four project that will develop lightweight, high-strength alloys for automotive and heavy duty engine blocks and cylinder heads. For instance, Caterpillar Inc, based near Peoria, Illinois, is leveraging a $3.4 million Energy Department award, as well as $1.5 million in private investment, to develop high-strength iron-based alloys to allow for higher cylinder pressures and increased engine efficiency.

Read the full list of awards HERE.

The Energy Department will provide $8 million this year for these awards, and has requested an additional $13.75 million next year, subject to congressional appropriations, to support the completion of these projects over the next two to four years.  The Department’s investments are leveraging an additional $11 million from the private sector. These projects support the Materials Genome Initiative, an ambitious effort announced by President Obama to double the speed and cut the cost of discovering, developing, and deploying new high-tech materials in the United States.

From developing stronger, safer and lighter materials for today’s automobiles, to lowering the costs of electric vehicle batteries and better combustion engines, the Energy Department has supported a range of technological advances in vehicle efficiency that has helped maintain America’s competitive edge in this global industry. More information on these investments is available HERE.  

GE Technology to Double Capacity of Vietnam Transmission Line

Press release:

10 July 2012

GE Technology to Double Capacity of Vietnam Transmission Line

 

• U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton Witnessed Contract Signing Ceremony
• GE’s Advanced Fuseless Technology Enables Efficient Power Transmission to Regions in Need
• Shipping of Capacitors to Begin in 2Q 2013
• Financing by U.S. Export-Import Bank

HANOI, VIETNAM—July 10, 2012—General Electric (NYSE: GE) signed today an equipment supply contract worth USD16.5 million with the Power Transmission Company No. 4 (PTC4), a subsidiary of the National Power Transmission Corporation (NPT), to double Vietnam’s existing power capacity through upgrading of the country’s national backbone transmission system.

GE’s series capacitor banks will be installed as part of the upgrade of the 500-kV Pleiku–Phu Lam transmission line to increase power capacity from 1,000 amps to 2,000 amps.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton witnessed the signing of the contract in Hanoi.

“The 500-kV Pleiku-Phu Lam transmission line, which is 500 km in length, is the backbone of Vietnam’s North-to-South power transmission. Increasing the capacity of the line to transmit power across the country more efficiently will enable EVN to mobilize generation sources to more effectively meet power demand, which varies from region to region. When it comes into operation in 2013, the project is expected to supply approximately 800 megawatts to the Southern area,” said Dang Phan Tuong, chairman of the Board of Management of NPT.

GE Energy Asia Pacific President Kenji Uenishi said, “We are delighted with this opportunity to assist Vietnam meet its power needs. A healthy power infrastructure is vital to supporting economic growth. GE’s advanced equipment, services and partnership with local corporations will enable Vietnam to manage power needs more efficiently in line with efforts to enhance current infrastructure.”

Under the terms of the contract, GE will supply six series capacitor banks to NPT and provide on-site supervision for installation testing and commissioning. The project utilizes GE’s latest fuseless technology to enable a 100 percent increase in the current capacity of the existing transmission line and installed infrastructure.

GE will partner for the first time with a local corporation, 3C Company, to provide local content for the project.

Stuart Dean, GE CEO for ASEAN, said, “GE has been in ASEAN from its beginning helping countries meet their energy and power needs to accelerate development plans and competitiveness in the industrial and manufacturing sectors. We believe in making the world better and one of the ways we do this is to build world-class infrastructure.”

GE's capacitor technology is proven technology in Vietnam with the first GE banks installed in the 1990s. This is the second time GE has signed a contract directly with NPT. The first involved a similar capacitor banks installation in the 500-kV Da nang - Ha Tinh transmission line.

The U.S. Export-Import Bank is financing the project. Shipping and installation of the capacitors at the three locations will begin in the second quarter of 2013, with commercial operation set to begin in the third quarter of the year.

GE signed a memorandum of understanding in March 2011 with NPT for both companies to work together in an effort to increase Vietnam’s power transmission efficiency and expertise, while reducing the risk of power shortages.

GE’s Digital Energy business is a global leader in protection and control, communications, power sensing and power quality solutions. Its products and services increase the reliability of electrical power networks and critical equipment for utility, industrial and large commercial customers. From protecting and optimizing assets such as generators, transmission lines and motors, to ensuring secure wireless data transmission and providing uninterruptible power, GE’s Digital Energy business delivers industry-leading technologies to solve the unique challenges of each customer. For more information, visit http://www.gedigitalenergy.com.

About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.

GE Energy works connecting people and ideas everywhere to create advanced technologies for powering a cleaner, more productive world. With more than 100,000 employees in over 100 countries, our diverse portfolio of product and service solutions and deep industry expertise help our customers solve their challenges locally. We serve the energy sector with technologies in such areas as natural gas, oil, coal and nuclear energy; wind, solar, biogas and water processing; energy management; and grid modernization. We also offer integrated solutions to serve energy- and water-intensive industries such as mining, metals, marine, petrochemical, food & beverage and unconventional fuels.

Follow GE Energy on Twitter @GE_Energy.

Southern Supermarket Chain Rings Up $235,000 in Energy Savings with Full Cart of GE Lighting Solutions

Press release:

26 June 2012

Southern Supermarket Chain Rings Up $235,000 in Energy Savings with Full Cart of GE Lighting Solutions

• 
• View Details

EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio – June 21, 2012 – (NYSE:GE) – Brookshire Brothers (Lufkin, Texas) operates 72 retail supermarkets in an area covering Texas and Louisiana. Supporting its simple mission to “Create a satisfied customer!” the company recently launched a facility-wide lighting update including in-store, parking lot, exterior signage and refrigerated case fixtures. Using a myriad of new linear fluorescent lighting (LFL) and LED technologies from GE Lighting, Brookshire Brothers will, once all of its stores have been completed, reduce its annual operating costs more than $235,000 while establishing a model for energy-efficient lighting renovations at its stores.

“When we looked at options to impact our total energy costs, we identified several areas at different stores where new lighting, including LED fixtures, made a compelling case, both indoors and out,” said Eric Johnson, director of construction for Brookshire Brothers. “Shortly after we met with our GE Lighting team to understand the anticipated electricity and maintenance savings, then made what was an easy decision to move forward.”

Indoor retrofits return significant savings…Re-lamping of linear fluorescent lighting (LFL) fixtures is now complete at 69 Brookshire Brothers locations where GE’s more energy-efficient 28-watt T8 has replaced 32-watt bulbs in approximately 450 four-lamp fixtures per 30,000-square-foot supermarket. These efforts include the replacement of existing ballasts with GE’s high-efficiency UltraMax® electronic ballasts as needed. Each UltraMax ballast installed will create additional energy savings of approximately eight watts per fixture.

Brookshire Brothers will save an average $3,200 per store per year in electricity expense after switching to GE’s 28-watt solution – a more than $220,000 annual cost benefit to the company based on a $.09 kWh electricity rate and 12 hours use per day. The company plans to explore even more efficient 25-watt GE lamps and UltraStart® ballasts to suit future needs.

Outdoor area light efficiency adds up…Five supermarket parking lots, including company headquarters, have thus far been retrofit with GE Evolve™ LED Area Lights, bringing high-quality white illumination and energy savings to these spaces. Brookshire Brothers first worked closely with GE to create improved new lighting designs in the lots. GE’s 210-watt Area Lights displaced 400-watt high-intensity discharge (HID) fixtures in two lots while in the others, 1,000-watt HIDs were replaced by 270-watt Area Lights.

As a result of this substantial watts-per-fixture reduction, Brookshire Brothers will save more than $14,000 annually in electricity costs and further stands to diminish maintenance time and expense. Where its 400- and 1,000-watt HID fixtures had been rated for 20,000- and 15,000-hours life respectively, GE’s new Area Lights have a rated life of 50,000 hours.

Other LED installations cut cost…Brookshire Brothers’ outdoor lighting updates further included aesthetically attractive Wallighter™ Luminaires mounted on buildings for extra security around entrances and walkways. Several locations have also incorporated GE Tetra® LED Lighting Systems to complement the enhanced exterior appearance of the stores. Delivering up to 80 percent energy savings, reduced maintenance and long service life, GE’s commercial signage technology provides more uniform light compared to traditional fluorescent and neon options.

GE’s Immersion™ RV40 LED lighting is meanwhile enhancing color and light-level uniformity in refrigerated display cases in four Brookshire Brothers locations, which house 100 frozen food doors on average. GE’s lighting system virtually eliminates distracting light-source glare and wasteful light spill typical of fluorescent-equipped displays. The LED lights will deliver a 60 percent energy reduction and are rated for 50,000-hours life – four times longer than the fluorescent lighting they replaced.

“When I walk into a store that hasn’t been converted, I know I’ll find at least seven doors that aren’t lit for one reason or another,” explains Johnson. “Our electrical contractor told me, ‘You wouldn’t believe how much of the work we do for you is to repair fluorescent door lighting.’ In the stores that have been converted everything is lit 100 percent of the time. That adds up to sales right there.”

Johnson further plans to specify Immersion LED lighting in a forthcoming conversion of medium-temperature open cases to closed-door cases in a number of stores.

Additionally, wine displays in two stores have been lit with GE’s energy smart® LED Replacement Lamps, ideal for applications in which a narrow, focused beam spread is preferred. Forty-five 75-watt halogen lamps (940 lumens) in each store were changed to long-life GE 10-watt PAR30 LED floodlights (500 lumens). Previously, Brookshire Brothers had replaced an average 50 halogen bulbs per location each year. Now, the company will count $3,200 in combined annual energy and maintenance savings, meaning GE’s wine display lighting solution will pay for itself after only 13 months.

GE’s energy smart® LED Replacement Lamps will soon be added to several other supermarket displays as well to continue the optical enrichment of customers’ shopping experience.

“The store directors have all been impressed,” Johnson said. “The parking lots shine, the signage is crisper and the colors of the products show much better. There have only been very positive comments. I feel we’ve found our standard for lighting moving forward.

“In each case where new LED lighting was specified, it was easy to support that decision financially through decreased energy consumption, reduced maintenance, increased dependability and extended lamp life.”

Johnson added that GE’s LED lighting solutions will be considered in time for 32 convenience store locations also operated by Brookshire Brothers.

High efficiency LEDs and fluorescent lamps come in a range of brightness options. For more information about the GE Lighting products used in this project, visit www.gelightingsolutions.com.

About Brookshire BrothersFounded in 1921, Brookshire Brothers has 72 retail supermarkets in predominantly rural markets and in the outskirts of the Houston metro area. With 6,000 employee-owners in two states, the company is also one of the largest retail outlets of Conoco fuel. Brookshire Brothers also operates thirty Polk Pick It Up convenience stores in the markets it serves.

About GE Lighting
GE Lighting invents with the vigor of its founder Thomas Edison to develop energy-efficient solutions that change the way people light their world in commercial, industrial, municipal and residential settings. The business employs over 17,000 people in more than 100 countries, and sells products under the Reveal^® and Energy Smart^® consumer brands, and Evolve™, GTx, Immersion ™, Infusion ™, Lumination^™ and Tetra^® commercial brands, all trademarks of GE. General Electric (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter to build a world that works better. For more information, visit www.gelighting.com.

News release:

IBM Smarter Cities Challenge Team Proposes Strategy For Safer, More Efficient and Convenient Public Transport in Greater Rabat

Tab navigation

• News release
• Related XML feeds

• Contact(s) information

Rabat, Morocco - 11 Jun 2012: A team of IBM (NYSE:IBM) experts funded by an IBM Smarter Cities Challenge grant, has provided government leaders with initial recommendations for a more effective and efficient public transport system in Rabat and nearby Sale and Temara, by 2020.

The transport system of the greater metropolitan area of Rabat is facing critical issues, such as population growth from (1.77 million today to an anticipated 2.7 million in 2025) which will lead to greater traffic congestion, increased urbanization, and the disparate use of technology with disintegrated, disconnected, and often manual operations.

Rabat applied for, and won, a Smarter Cities Challenge grant from IBM, which sent some of its top employees to work and live in Rabat for three weeks.  There, they studied the area's transportation opportunities and created a plan to address three aspects of an improved urban public transport system. 

The first aspect addressed in IBM's plan involves how the efforts of multiple agencies might be coordinated, particularly with the creation of a transportation authority.  With both an integrated budget and plan, the operation and growth of public transportation can be managed more efficiently and cost effectively.

A second aspect addresses how the system might be made safer and more convenient and attractive for commuters. To do so, the transportation authority could consider publishing realistic and constantly updated arrival schedules, a common ticketing system across buses and trams, restricting auto traffic during rush hours, and certifying private bus and taxi drivers.

Since effectiveness and efficiency relate directly to the people who operate the transportation system,  the third facet focuses on how to ensure employees remain well trained, supported, focused and motivated.  In this realm, successful strategies of other transport systems would be studied and adopted; staffing levels would be monitored; and employees would be recognized and rewarded for high performance.

“With its Smarter Cities Program, IBM is enabling new approaches to urban infrastructure services, by harnessing technology to solve transportation issues," said Abdallah Rachidi, Country General Manager of IBM Morocco.  "The Cities of Rabat, Salé, and Temara will be able to predict and respond flexibly in all situations, by using data to drive intelligent responses and planning. This is a concrete example of how we can leverage technology to help improve urban mobility."

Technologies complementary to this blueprint include the use of global positioning data for tracking and mobilizing buses, and the use of video feeds and cameras to ensure passenger and staff safety.  The concepts and ideas proposed in the plan are compatible with current Government initiatives, and borrow strategies used successfully in other cities around the world.

"The IBM team's findings and recommendations will help transform these cities as part of a greater Urban Mobility Upgrade Plan, in which Rabat, the "Green City" will be a pilot and a reference for public transportation system reform", said the Mayor of Rabat, Mr Fathallah Oualalou. "In October 2013, Rabat will host the United Cities and Local Government World Congress and this will be the opportunity  for Rabat officials to present the findings and expected progress for our transportation management system."

Smarter Cites Challenge

Rabat bested 140 other cities around the world to become one of IBM’s Smarter Cities Challenge winners this year. IBM selected 33 cities worldwide to receive Smarter Cities challenge grants in 2012 and Rabat was selected along with three other African cities. 

Launched in 2011, the IBM initiative is a three-year, 100-city US$50 million competitive grant program and is IBM's single-largest philanthropic initiative.  Winning cities get the benefit of some of IBM's most talented employees who examine critical, top-priority urban issues such as transportation, health, housing, economic development and public safety. The IBM team then creates a comprehensive plan of creative solutions which they present to the city's leadership addressing each top priority issue.

To find out more about IBM Smarter Cities Challenge grants, please visithttp://smartercitieschallenge.org/.

DTE Energy Selects Advanced GE Technology for Four Wind Projects in Michigan

Press release:

04 June 2012

DTE Energy Selects Advanced GE Technology for Four Wind Projects in Michigan

 

• GE Supplying 137 1.6-100 Wind Turbines to Provide Clean Energy for the Region
• Helps Michigan Accelerate Progress toward Renewable Energy Goals
• The 1.6-100 is the World’s Most Efficient Wind Turbine in Its Class

AWEA WINDPOWER 2012Booth #2217

ATLANTA, GA.—June 4, 2012—GE (NYSE: GE) has received contracts to supply 137 wind turbines to DTE Energy for wind projects in lower Michigan. With a total capacity of 220 megawatts of clean energy, the projects support Michigan’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS), which mandates the state to produce 10 percent of its power from renewable sources by 2015. GE announced the deals today at the American Wind Energy Association’s WINDPOWER 2012.

GE is supplying DTE Energy with 69 advanced 1.6-100 wind turbines for its Sigel, Minden and McKinley projects and 68 1.6-100 units for its wind project in Chandler Township, adjacent to the McKinley site. In the latter project, DTE Energy will file for approval from the Michigan Public Service Commissionlater this year. DTE Energy’s total investment in these projects is $500 million.

Introduced last year, GE’s 1.6-100 wind turbine is the world’s most efficient wind turbine in its class. With blades and towers that extend 96 meters—equivalent to 32 building stories—the 1.6-100 captures additional wind energy in low wind speed sites.

“We’re looking forward to working with GE and its wind turbine technology,” said Irene Dimitry, DTE Energy executive director, Energy Efficiency & Renewables. “The contract with GE also provides the benefit of having the same technology platform on all four wind parks.”

“GE and DTE Energy have a long standing working history. We are very pleased to now partner with DTE on renewable technology in this next phase of our relationship,” said Vic Abate, vice president of renewable energy for GE.

DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include Detroit Edison, an electric utility serving 2.1 million customers in Southeastern Michigan, MichCon, a natural gas utility serving 1.2 million customers in Michigan and other non-utility, energy businesses focused on gas storage and pipelines, unconventional gas production, power and industrial projects and energy trading.

About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.

GE Energy works connecting people and ideas everywhere to create advanced technologies for powering a cleaner, more productive world. With more than 100,000 employees in over 100 countries, our diverse portfolio of product and service solutions and deep industry expertise help our customers solve their challenges locally. We serve the energy sector with technologies in such areas as natural gas, oil, coal and nuclear energy; wind, solar, biogas and water processing; energy management; and grid modernization. We also offer integrated solutions to serve energy- and water-intensive industries such as mining, metals, marine, petrochemical, food & beverage and unconventional fuels.

Follow GE Energy on Twitter @GERenewables.

Western Washington Water Heater Rebate Puts a Fast $500 in Homeowners’ Pockets, New GE® Water Heater Saves Them Even More

News release:

30 May 2012

Western Washington Water Heater Rebate Puts a Fast $500 in Homeowners’ Pockets, New GE® Water Heater Saves Them Even More

 

• 
•  View Details

 

• $500 rebate applies to the purchase of GE’s GeoSpring™ Hybrid Water Heater
• Hybrid water heating technology can save consumers more than $3,000 during the 10-year warranty period

LOUISVILLE, Ky., — May 30, 2012 — (NYSE: GE) — It just got easier to save money on utility bills in western Washington, thanks to a rebate program from Puget Sound Energy. When Puget Sound Energy consumers buy the new GE^® GeoSpring™ Hybrid Water Heater, they may be eligible to apply for a $500 rebate, reducing the cost to purchase the water heater. The ENERGY STAR^®-qualified water heater saves up to $325 per year on utility bills, which means the GeoSpring quickly pays for itself.*

Over 10 years, this savings can add up to more than $3,000 that can be used toward a vacation, a shopping spree, a home improvement or a rainy-day fund rather than going into the utility bill.

“Many consumers are unaware that the water heater is the second biggest energy user in the home behind the HVAC system,” said Keith Burkhardt, marketing manager for GE Appliances. “Through this rebate program, money is saved on both the product purchase and on utility bills—money the family can spend on something more enjoyable.”

Technology that drives energy and cost savingsThe GeoSpring’s hybrid technology is designed to absorb heat in ambient air and transfer it into the water. Since this uses much less energy than what’s needed to generate radiant heat—as used in a conventional electric tank water heater—the GeoSpring is more economical to operate.

Other features of the GeoSpring:

• Includes same water and electrical connections as the standard electric water heater, making it easy to install.
• Provides the same amount of hot water as traditional 50-gallon standard electric water heaters.
• Integrated electronics on the GeoSpring’s control panel offer exclusive features, such as Vacation mode, which will lower the water temperature to 50 degrees for the duration of a trip, and then automatically reenergize itself the day before the homeowner’s return.
• Offers additional control over water temperature by allowing consumers to adjust the temperature setting in one-degree increments from 100 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

"The goal of the PSE rebate program is to encourage our customers to save energy and money," said Walker Dodson, program manager with Puget Sound Energy. "The GeoSpring is a great choice for customers because of its energy efficiency and the ongoing savings it delivers.”

Rebate detailsTo participate, the water heater must be installed outside of the living space, such as a garage, attic or crawl space. Customers must then complete the rebate application and submit it with a copy of the receipt that clearly shows the equipment brand name, model number, purchase price and purchase location.** For additional information about the water heater rebate and eligibility requirements for the rebate program, please visit PSE.com/rebates.

As an added convenience to simplify the shopping experience, GE Appliances’ new Rebate Finder easily allows consumers to see rebates by appliance model that may be available in their area. From GEAppliances.com, simply enter your zip code and select Water Heaters in the product field to view rebate details and submit.

Pricing and availabilityAssembly of the new GeoSpring Hybrid Water Heaters started in February in Louisville, Ky. GeoSpring is available at national retailers such as Lowe's and Sears and national plumbing distributors such as Ferguson, as well as many local retailers and distributors. For more information on features and availability, visit www.GEAppliances.com/GeoSpring. The estimated retail price for GeoSpring is $1,199-$1,299.***

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter or check out our website for more information Friend GE Appliances on Facebook to view how-to videos; learn about new GE appliances, and join in the discussion with other GE appliance owners. Join today and follow @GE_Appliances on Twitter or just locate detailed information about our products at www.geappliances.com.

About GE AppliancesGE Appliances is at the forefront of building innovative, energy-efficient appliances that improve people’s lives. GE Appliances’ products include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners, water filtration systems and water heaters. General Electric (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter to build a world that works better. For more information on GE Appliances, visit www.ge.com/appliances.

*Based on DOE test procedure and comparison of a 50-gallon standard electric tank water heater using 4879 kWh every year vs. the GeoSpring hybrid water heater using 1830 kWh every year.

** Rebate application must be submitted within 30 days of equipment installation. One rebate per qualifiying metered, residential customer on qualifying installations.

***Dealers set their own prices.

Glittering lighting makeover for Tower Bridge readies London's world-famous icon for historic year 2012

News release:

30 May 2012

Glittering lighting makeover for Tower Bridge readies London's world-famous icon for historic year 2012

 

Landmark dazzles in diamond white for Queen's Jubilee weekend

Tower Bridge, one of the world's most recognisable landmarks, has been transformed with a new world-class lighting system in time to mark the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The new state-of-the-art, energy efficient lighting system will have its first official switch on this evening and then will gleam white this weekend to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Tower Bridge will be firmly in the global spotlight this summer and - thanks to an innovative funding deal reached between Mayor of London Boris Johnson, bridge-owners the City of London Corporation, and London 2012 sponsors EDF and GE - an LED-lighting and cabling system has now been fully installed at no cost to taxpayers.

The new lights brighten up the bridge, enhance its architectural features and replace static lights with bulbs that can vary in intensity and colour, while at the same time cutting energy consumption considerably.

The new lights will take centre stage for during the 2012 Games when Tower Bridge will be fitted with its giant Olympic Rings and Paralympic Agitos for the 45 days of the Games. Passers-by will see the new system being tested over coming weeks ready for spectacular one-off lighting displays during key moments of the Games.

Londoners will enjoy benefits from the deal long after the Games, as the new lighting system will be in place for 25 years. In total 1,800 special energy-efficient LED lights have been fitted, along with 2,000 meters of energy-efficient LED linear lights, 5,000 meters of cable and 1,000 junction boxes. Final planning permission for the project was granted in November 2011 and work began immediately to install the new system.

Tower Bridge, already the world’s most recognisable capital landmark now has a world-class lighting system to suit its status.

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “Tower Bridge is already a global icon and this much-loved landmark is now even more spectacular thanks to a world-class illumination system.

“As London gears up for a summer like no other, this fantastic lighting makeover is another example of how the capital is benefiting from the Games. Tower Bridge can now play a starring role in our celebrations, starting off this weekend by being bathed in a stately white light for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

“What’s more, thanks to the commitment and generosity of all the partners, including the City of London Corporation, EDF Energy and GE, this is a lasting legacy for decades to come, achieved with zero price-tag for the taxpayer.”

Mark Boleat, the Chairman of Policy & Resources for bridge-owners the City of London Corporation, said: “The new lights will give Tower Bridge an elegant night-time look for the next 25 years, with the capability of creating firework-like displays on occasions of importance for London and the nation.”

Phil Marshall, President and CEO, GE Lighting EMEA said: “We are incredibly proud to have been involved with the lighting scheme at Tower Bridge. The combination of architectural and floodlight LEDs were specified to help reduce the energy used to light the bridge by up to 40 % compared with the previous system. As a London 2012 Sustainability Partner and London 2012 sponsor, GE is excited to have successfully contributed to the future of Tower Bridge and to London’s sustainability commitments. Furthermore, during London 2012 as part of the overall celebrations, there will be an evening light display every evening at on the Bridge, ensuring those in the city can fully enjoy the new lighting scheme and see Tower Bridge as they never have before."

Vincent de Rivaz, Chief Executive of EDF Energy, said: “As an official partner and the official electricity supplier of the London 2012 Games, it has been a delight to work with the GLA and GE to give Tower Bridge a dramatic makeover. We are proud to be able to help show off London’s most famous bridge over the Diamond Jubilee weekend and throughout the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“EDF Energy powers some of London’s most iconic landmarks with low-carbon electricity, including Tower Bridge. Thanks to its new state-of-the-art lighting, Tower Bridge has further reduced its carbon footprint to become a standout symbol of sustainability, encouraging visitors and residents to live a lower carbon lifestyle.”

NOTES

1. Photographs of the new lighting system are available 

Top 15 photos including sponsor logos, and b-roll web video:http://reformerfilms.photodeck.com/-/galleries/tower-bridge-relighting

2. Tower Bridge, as one of the five City bridges, is provided and maintained at no cost to the taxpayer by the City of London Corporation’s Bridge House Estates charity fund. This ancient fund was set up from tolls collected on the first London Bridge. In addition to maintaining the bridges, its City Bridge Trust grant-giving arm makes grants of ₤15m a year to charitable projects benefiting Londoners. The City of London Corporation is the elected body which looks after the Square Mile business and financial district. As part of this role it supports the UK-based financial services industry, provides local authority services and policing for the Square Mile, and a number of special services and facilities for wider London and the wider UK, including the Barbican arts centre, Hampstead Heath, Epping Forest and the Port Health Authority. See www.cityoflondon.gov.uk for full details.

3. The EDF Group, one of the leaders in the energy market in Europe, is an integrated energy company active in all businesses: generation, transmission, distribution, energy supply and trading. The Group is the leading electricity producer in Europe and has around 170,000 employees. EDF is the official energy utilities partner and sustainability partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. EDF Energy is part of EDF Group and employs around 15,000 people at locations across the UK. It is one of the UK’s largest energy companies and the largest producer of low-carbon electricity, producing around one-fifth of the nation's electricity from its nuclear, coal and gas power stations and wind farms. The company supplies gas and electricity to more than 5.5 million business and residential customers and is the biggest supplier of electricity by volume in the UK. Through “Our Sustainability Commitments”, EDF Energy has launched one of the biggest environmental and social programmes of any British energy company. The company is helping its customers and others use energy more sustainably through products and initiatives such as Team Green Britain, smart meters and electric vehicle research.

4. GE and the OlympicsGE is the exclusive provider of a wide range of innovative products and services that are integral to staging a successful Olympic Games. GE works closely with host countries, cities and organizing committees to provide infrastructure solutions for Olympic venues including power, lighting, water treatment and transportation. GE also supplies local hospitals with diagnostic imaging equipment and healthcare IT solutions like ultrasound, MRI and electronic medical record technologies to help doctors treat athletes. For more information, visit www.ge.com/olympicgames.

GE in the UKGE has been operating in the UK since the 1930s and works on things that matter. The best people taking on the toughest challenges. Today our 18,000 UK employees work across 60 major locations, including 25 world-class manufacturing and R&D facilities, finding solutions in energy, oil & gas, healthcare, aerospace and financial industries. Our business is about building, powering. moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit www.ge.com/uk.

GE LightingGE Lighting invents with the vigour of its founder Thomas Edison to develop energy-efficient solutions that change the way people light their world in commercial, industrial, municipal and residential settings. The business employs over 17,000 people in more than 100 countries, and sells products under the Reveal and Energy Smart consumer brands, and Evolve, GTx, Immersion, Infusion, Lumination and Tetra commercial brands, all trademarks of GE. For more information, visit www.gelighting.com/eu