GE Technology Powers First Landfill-Gas-to-Energy Project in Alaska

Press release:

31 July 2012

GE Technology Powers First Landfill-Gas-to-Energy Project in Alaska

 

• Power Produced by GE’s Jenbacher J420 Gas Engines to Save Military up to $50 Million
• Located on the Joint U.S. Army-Air Force Base, Doyon Utilities’ Project Helps Improve Energy Security for U.S. Military
• Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Held in Anchorage to Celebrate Opening of Plant

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA—July 31, 2012—Doyon Utilities, LLC (Doyon) held a ribbon cutting ceremony today to celebrate the opening of the first landfill-gas-to-energy (LFGTE) project in Alaska, which is powered by GE’s (NYSE: GE) ecomagination-qualified Jenbacher gas engines. Located on the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, a joint U.S. Army and Air Force base, the project will provide approximately half of JBER–Richardson’s 13 megawatts (MW) of peak demand power.

“Beginning in 2013, federal agencies will be required to use renewable energy sources to provide at least 7.5 percent of total electric consumption,” said Dan Gavora, CEO of Doyon Utilities LLC. “GE’s technology allows us to turn landfill gas (methane) into an energy source for the U.S. military base and also into a revenue stream for the municipal utility, which currently flares the gas instead of selling it. In addition, the plant will help the military improve its energy security and move closer to its renewable energy target.”

Doyon will own and operate the facility and will buy the gas produced for at least the next 20 years, with an option for an extension to 40 years, under the agreement with the municipality. According to military officials, the power produced will offset what the military would have to buy from the municipality, which will add up to more than $30 million in savings over the life of the project[1].

The Anchorage Regional Landfill, which opened in 1987, has the capacity to hold 40 million cubic yards of waste. Currently one-third full, the landfill will likely reach capacity around 2045. As the landfill grows, so will the opportunity to increase the LFGTE plant’s capacity.

“This project with Doyon Utilities is another example of how GE’s Jenbacher gas engines are supporting distributed power projects around the world,” said Roger George, regional sales leader, Gas Engines for North America. “Our Jenbacher gas engines provide the fuel flexibility needed to accommodate the use of alternative fuels such as landfill gas while offering high levels of electrical efficiency.”

Western Energy Systems (WES), GE’s authorized distributor for Jenbacher gas engines in Alaska, provided the four Jenbacher J420 engine-generator sets and integrated these with balance of plant equipment required for a successful installation. WES provided project management services for all equipment provided, performed commissioning services, and has opened a product support facility in Anchorage with technicians and parts inventory committed to support this project.

GE's fuel-flexible Jenbacher gas engines are powered by landfill gas, which is created from solid waste decomposition and then recovered as a valuable renewable fuel. This gas would otherwise have been wasted by being released into the atmosphere as a potent greenhouse gas. Methane has a global warming factor that is 21 times greater than carbon dioxide.

GE's Jenbacher J420 landfill gas engines are part of GE’s ecomagination portfolio. To qualify for the ecomagination portfolio, products and services must demonstrate both improved economic value and environmental performance. Ecomagination is GE's commitment to innovative solutions that maximize resources and efficiencies and make the world work better. Overall, GE's Gas Engines business has more than 1,650 units operating on landfill gas with an electrical output of over 1,650 MW.

In a changing world with diverse power needs, GE’s portfolio of innovative distributed power solutions, gives businesses and communities around the world the ability to generate reliable and efficient power using a variety of fuels anywhere, whether on or off the grid. GE’s distributed power solutions gives customers of all types—from industrial businesses, to developing communities, to government officials managing disaster relief and other emergency power situations—the ability to generate reliable, sustainable power whenever and wherever it is needed. GE’s distributed power portfolio includes GE aeroderivative gas turbines, Jenbacher and Waukesha gas engines and waste heat recovery solutions.

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 and ecomagination on Twitter @GE_Energy and@ecomagination

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[1] http://www.alaskastar.com/Alaska-Star/February-2012/Methane-to-megawatts/

Boeing Next-Generation 737 Performance Improvement Package Delivers on Promise to Cut Fuel Burn

Press release:

Customers validate improvements on package's first anniversary

RENTON, Wash., July 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Customers of Boeing's [NYSE: BA] Next-Generation 737 are validating the benefits of the industry-leading Performance Improvement Package (PIP), one year after the first airplane PIP airplane was delivered. PIP combines aerodynamic and engine performance improvements to reduce fuel burn by up to 2 percent and is part of the continuous innovation on the world's best-selling airplane. More than 420 Next-Generation 737s have now been delivered with PIP.

"The Performance Improvement Package has contributed to a remarkable fuel mileage improvement compared to the non-PIP airplanes," said Takeshi Katsurada, vice president of flight operations engineering for Japan Airlines. "We can validate its improvement through each delivery flight performance monitoring and also daily flight operations monitoring to the extent of more than 2 percent fuel mileage improvement."

Elements of the performance improvement package, provided at no charge to customers, have been gradually introduced on the 737 over the past year. They include aerodynamic-shaped anti-collision lights, streamlined slat and spoiler trailing edges, ski-jump wheel well fairings re-contoured to smooth the air flow near the main landing gear, and enhancements to the CFM engine. A re-contoured plug and cutback nozzle completed the propulsion portion of the performance improvement package. The final element of the package, a redesigned environmental control system exhaust vent, is scheduled for mid-2013.

"These improvements are important for our airline customers," said Beverly Wyse, vice president and general manager of the 737 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The improved fuel savings are part of our commitment to deliver market-leading value to Next-Generation 737 customers. Improving fuel efficiency by 2 percent saves more than $120,000 annually on each airplane and reduces the carbon footprint."

Boeing began performance improvement testing in November 2010 with the goal of reducing fuel consumption by up to 2 percent.

"Our latest tests have shown that aircraft, which incorporate the Performance Improvement Package, provide flydubai with up to 1.6 percent reduced fuel burn over non-PIP aircraft," said Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai. "With a growing fleet, any savings we can make towards our fuel costs are positive from both a financial and environmental perspective. We look forward to Boeing introducing the final part of the package, which will provide us with even greater fuel savings."

Planet Green Group Announces First Affordable Net Zero Energy Townhome Project in Nation

Press release:

30 July 2012

Planet Green Group Announces First Affordable Net Zero Energy Townhome Project in Nation

 

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DUNEDIN, FL. — July 30, 2012 — (NYSE: GE) —Planet Green Groupannounced today the launch of an important housing project that will transform affordable home building in the future. The Eco Village at Dunedin will be the first affordable LEED Certified Net Zero Energy townhome development in the nation. These 25 Greenergy Net Zero Energy townhomes are designed and engineered to bring affordability, energy efficiency and use of renewable energy technology to Florida’s homeowners.

Robert Ironsmith, Director of Economic Development & Housing for the City of Dunedin said, “We are thrilled to see Planet Green Group develop Lorraine Leland into affordable town homes that feature state of the art energy efficiency. The City values the partnership between the Dunedin Housing Authority which donated the property, Pinellas County for managing the process and Planet Green Group for incorporating high energy efficiency building techniques into its development.“

Planet Green Group, in collaboration with its strategic partners: Eco Construction, GE, Algatec Solar, MESH Architecture, Pinellas County, theHousing Finance Authority of Pinellas County and the City of Dunedin, will unveil these innovative townhomes at the press event and groundbreaking on August 1, 2012 at 10:00 AM ET. The press conference will take place at the site of the townhomes, located at MLK and Lorraine Leland Street in Dunedin, Florida.

According to Steve Chamu, CEO of Eco Construction and Maintenance: ”We are proud to be associated with this housing project and to serve as a catalyst for future projects. By providing state of the art construction and technology we will enhance the customer experience and protect the planet.”

After winning a competitive RFP, Planet Green Group worked with Pinellas County, the Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County, and the City of Dunedin to develop the plan for these affordable Net Zero Energy townhomes in the heart of Dunedin, a stone’s throw from the Gulf of Mexico. Frank Bowman, Housing Development Manager for Pinellas County Community Development, is inspired by the affordability of the project, offering: “We have been working to make our affordable housing projects as “green” as possible for many years, but Eco Village will be the first LEED certified, net zero energy, affordable housing project in Pinellas County. This project will serve as a model for future affordable housing developments in Tampa Bay and throughout the country, and we are excited to play a role in making it a reality.”

The focus for this project is to provide affordable living for everyone, including "Hometown Heroes"—police officers, firefighters, nurses, teachers, veterans and other professionals. The site is part of the Lorraine Leland tract in Dunedin and will consist of 25 two-story townhomes from 1,100 to 1,500 square feet, with a projected price range of $135,000 to $175,000. “Energy efficient living is a necessity, not a luxury. These homes give people affordability and energy savings with a lot of sizzle. Imagine what this will mean for our families and communities,” said Vladimir Tchentsov, Chairman of Planet Green Group.

GE provided expertise and products from its Homes Inspired by ecomagination offering, which combines building science and high-performance products with the ability for homeowners to monitor energy consumption. Homes Inspired by ecomagination are designed to lower overall household energy use, CO₂ emissions on the power grid, indoor water consumption and reduce associated energy costs. The homes include a variety of products and services from GE’s ecomagination portfolio, including a suite of appliances, LED lighting and its Home Energy Management System, which allows homeowners to better understand home energy use.Ecomagination is GE’s commitment to innovative technologies that help maximize resources and efficiencies and make the world work better.

Planet Green Group has also partnered with award-winning design firm, Mesh Architecture, to provide innovative designs for Eco Village at Dunedin. The Mesh Architecture and Mesh Fabrication collaborative of over 35 architects, designers and craftspeople have created a diverse portfolio of residential, commercial and institutional projects including multi-family, art institutions and historic renovations over the past 25 years.

For its custom solar technology engineering, Planet Green Group has teamed with Algatec Solar, the European solar energy consortium expected to site its future photovoltaic and thin film solar manufacturing facility in St. Petersburg. As a strategic partner, Algatec will provide the solar power needs for this development and play a vital role in other projects to follow.

Providing the economic development strategy for the partnership, Mario Farias of Farias Marketing Group said, “This private-public partnership provides a model for moving forward in affordable, energy-efficient living for Floridians and beyond, striking the right balance of people, planet and profits. Building affordable net zero energy homes begins to cut our escalating power costs and creates a ripple effect for jobs, business and education starting right here in Tampa Bay.” For additional information, please contact Mario Farias at 727-641-9886 or Mariofarias@thefariasmarketinggroup.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.

GE’s Latest Central Inverter Technology Clears Path for Utilities to Boost Solar Energy Production Worldwide

Press release:

30 July 2012

GE’s Latest Central Inverter Technology Clears Path for Utilities to Boost Solar Energy Production Worldwide

• GE’s ProSolar Inverter Allows BELECTRIC’s New Solar Station in Germany to Efficiently Convert and Deliver Renewable Electricity to Grid
• ProSolar System Plays Key Role in 1st Solar Power Station Rated at 1,500 Volts

PARIS—July 30, 2012—Marking a new technology milestone in the global effort to increase renewable energy production by driving down overall system costs, GE (NYSE: GE) has deployed the first 1,500-VDC (volts, DC current) open circuit (OC) central inverter for utility scale solar power plants. The inverter will help reduce overall system costs, which is vital to making solar power a more economical alternative to fossil fuel technologies.

Central inverters are key components of photovoltaic (PV) plants. The technology converts DC power produced by solar panels to AC power, which is then fed into the main grid.

GE Energy’s Power Conversion business developed, built and delivered its 1,500-VDC ProSolar central inverter technology to solar power plant system integrator BELECTRIC, the global market leader in terms of installed power. BELECTRIC installed GE’s advanced central inverter at its new solar power plant in southern Germany, utilizing PADCON’s 1500 VDC System Technology.

“GE’s ProSolar central inverter system is designed to help efficiently stabilize the power grid with defined active and reactive power around the clock. This is extremely important when it comes to countering the intermittent availability of solar energy,” said Bernhard Beck, CEO of BELECTRIC.

The 1,500-VDC OC central inverter for BELECTRIC is designed as an outdoor version and offers a number of key benefits. Most notably, it allows operation at high DC voltages on panel level with lower DC currents while increasing the rated power for inverters. This can result in significantly lower costs for the technical DC infrastructure as well as the overall balance of system costs. Since the power of the inverter system is limited mainly by the current, the power can be substantially increased by increasing the operating voltage, and this means additional cost savings.

Due to higher operating DC voltage and higher output with the same size as conventional ProSolar 1,000-VDC OC inverter units, the 1,500-VDC OC solution offers higher power density with the same small footprint that means optimized and flexible site layout. The liquid-cooled and improved power electronic topology ensures high efficiency, especially in partial load operations and is developed in Berlin.

GE Energy’s inverter technology has a long track record of extremely high reliability resulting from the company’s experience in the development of frequency converters for the wind energy, oil and gas as well as metals sectors and other industrial applications.

“Our inverter rated at 1,500 volts is an important breakthrough in efforts to achieve grid parity with photovoltaic systems in certain countries. GE offers customers with technology options to support renewable energy policies and push projects that build long-term energy security using solar energy,” said Georg Möhlenkamp, global product leadership manager for GE Energy Management’s Power Conversion business. “Reducing the costs of solar electricity generation through continuous innovation forms the basis for GE Energy’s long-term technology development strategy.”

By offering its solar inverter technology as part of its broad portfolio of products and solutions, GE Energy is supporting ongoing energy policy changes in Germany, which plans to increase the share of renewable energies to 35 percent of total power demand by the year 2020. By deploying the ProSolar central solar inverter to help reduce the costs of solar power generation, PV projects will become an increasingly economical alternative to fossil fuel technologies.

GE Energy acquired Power Conversion (then known as Converteam) in September 2011. GE Energy’s Power Conversion business applies the science and systems of power conversion to help drive the electric transformation of the world’s energy infrastructure. Designing and delivering advanced motor, drive and control technologies that evolve today’s industrial processes for a cleaner, more productive future. It serves specialized sectors such as energy, marine, industry and all related services. To learn more, please visit: www.ge-energy.com/electrifyingchange.

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.

The City of Los Angeles Has Its Spotlight on Energy Efficiency

From the blog of the U.S. Dept. of Energy:

http://energy.gov/articles/city-los-angeles-has-its-spotlight-energy-efficiency

GE Wind Turbines to Power Comexhidro Wind Farm in Santa Catarina, Mexico

Press release:

26 July 2012

GE Wind Turbines to Power Comexhidro Wind Farm in Santa Catarina, Mexico

 

• Eight GE 2.75-Megawatt Turbines Will Generate Clean Energy for Public Lighting in Santa Catarina
• The Mexican Wind Energy Association Estimates the Country’s Wind Energy Potential at More than 50,000 Megawatts
• GE is Celebrating a Decade in the Wind Industry with 18,000 Wind Turbines Installed Worldwide

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO—July 26, 2012—GE (NYSE: GE), a leading global provider of wind energy, will provide Comexhidro eight 2.75-megawatt (MW) wind turbines that will generate clean energy for public lighting in the municipality of Santa Catarina, Nuevo León. The wind farm will help Santa Catarina, Nuevo León, reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the amount produced by 10,000 cars a year. Comexhidro, the Mexican hydroelectric company, is leading the project’s construction and operation and Conduit Capital Partners is investing in the project.

"Through the perfect combination of GE’s technology and innovative solutions, combined with our local knowledge and experience of the grid, we will be able to offer important environmental benefits and a technological solution to meet the needs of the community for an efficient and sustainable energy supply," said Carlos Jinich, general manager, Comexhidro.

GE announced this project today at its Mexico Wind Energy Forum, where civic and industry leaders discussed the opportunities and challenges of wind power in Mexico. The Mexican Wind Energy Association estimates the country’s wind energy potential at more than 50,000 MW.

"This project is a breakthrough for the country. It supports the government’s commitment to increase investment in research and infrastructure and encourage private investors to produce clean energy and help reverse the effects of climate change. This strategic vision coincides with the strong commitment of GE in innovative solutions that solve today's environmental challenges and benefit society," said Héctor Villegas, sales director of GE’s renewable energy business in Mexico.

This year, GE is celebrating a decade in the wind industry with more than 18,000 wind turbines installed worldwide that generate 28 gigawatts of power. In Mexico, GE employs more than 4,600 people, 8,800 more through its joint ventures and has 13 manufacturing plants and the largest center for advanced engineering in the country, focused on the design of energy projects. Recent energy projects announced in country using GE equipment will generate roughly 2,000 MW, or the equivalent of powering 22 million Mexican households.

About Comexhidro
Comexhidro is a Mexican hydroelectric developer and works by developing and operating hydroelectric generation projects to increase the electricity capacity in the country, save nonrenewable resources and support municipal public lighting, through a self-supply scheme.

About Conduit Capital Partners
Conduit Capital Partners is an investment firm focused on private equity investment opportunities, presented by industry of independent power in Latin America and the Caribbean.

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’s renewable energy business on Twitter @GErenewables.

For further information, please visit: www.ge.com/mx/ or www.ge-energy.com/wind

GE Scientists Successfully Test World-Class Traction Motor For Hybrid and Electric Vehicles

Press release from General Electric.  Not truly a story about renewable energy, but still of possible interest.

26 July 2012

GE Scientists Successfully Test World-Class Traction Motor For Hybrid and Electric Vehicles

 

GE prototype delivers higher power density, acceleration, and energy efficiency in a smaller frame at a lower cost

Motor extends the range of electric vehicles and reduces fuel consumption on hybrids

Motor has almost twice the temperature tolerance of conventional hybrid-electric motors and does not require a separate cooling system

NISKAYUNA, NY, July 26, 2012 – Engineers at GE Global Research are advancing motor technology that could have a substantial impact on hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) of the future.

GE recently tested a prototype Interior Permanent Magnet traction motor, developed as part of a $5.6MM U.S. Dept. of Energy (DoE) project, that could help extend the range EVs and hybrids can travel before recharging or needing gasoline. Traction motors are the key part of the propulsion system that converts electrical energy into motion to drive hybrid and electric vehicles. Not only is the GE-designed motor less costly to make, lab testing revealed that it is more powerful and more efficient than what is on the market today. Combined, the additional power output and efficiency will help extend the range of EVs and delay the point at which hybrids switch to gasoline.

GE’s prototype traction motor operates at a peak power level of 55kW and exceeds state-of-the-art motors in the same class in several key areas:

· Nearly twice the power density (acceleration)

· 3-5% more efficient

· Required torque achieved using much lower DC bus voltage – as low as 200 volts versus 650 volts

· Operates continuously at a higher temperature; no need for dedicated cooling loop

Widespread adoption of hybrid and EVs will benefit from advancements, like this, in motor technology.

“This is a significant accomplishment. We at GE are pushing the boundaries to build more robust, yet more efficient motors for hybrid and fully electric platforms”, said Ayman El-Refaie, Electrical Engineer, in GE Global Research’s Electrical Machines Lab. “We have built a motor that is substantially more powerful than what’s commercially available now, all while improving efficiency by up to 5%.”

Unlike conventional traction motors, which run at 65ºC and require their own dedicated cooling loop, GE’s motor operates continuously at 105ºC over a wide speed range (2,800 - 14,000 rpm at 30 kW) and can be cooled with engine coolant. Without the need for additional cooling lines, a hybrid will be lighter and cost less.

GE has built several prototypes of this new motor. It’s been fully tested in the lab and demonstrated for DoE, but further testing must be done for reliability before commercial production is considered.

“This technology is scalable and flexible enough that it can be leveraged in a number of capacities”, said El-Refaie. “What we learned through this project will help us build higher efficiency industrial motors, high-speed oil and gas compressor motors, and generators for aerospace applications.”

Another important accomplishment of this project was the development of high-resistivity (3X) permanent magnets. This high resistivity will significantly lessen magnet losses and reduce or eliminate the need to segment the magnets. This will help keep costs down even more.

A four-year project will follow-up on this work, as GE engineers set out to build a comparably performing motor with no rare-Earth magnets.

About GE Global Research

GE Global Research is the hub of technology development for all of GE's businesses. Our scientists and engineers redefine what’s possible, drive growth for our businesses, and find answers to some of the world’s toughest problems.

We innovate 24 hours a day, with sites in Niskayuna, New York; San Ramon, California; Bangalore, India; Shanghai, China; Munich, Germany; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Visit GE Global Research on the web at www.ge.com/research. Connect with our technologists at http://edisonsdesk.com andhttp://twitter.com/edisonsdesk.

EPA Kicks Off Third Annual Energy Star National Building Competition

Press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJuly 25, 2012

EPA Kicks Off Third Annual Energy Star National Building Competition
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Energy Star program launched the 2012 National Building Competition: Battle of the Buildings with a record 3,200 buildings across the country going head to head to improve energy efficiency, lower utility costs and protect health and the environment.

Commercial buildings in the U.S. are responsible for about 20 percent of the nation’s energy use and greenhouse gas emissions at a cost of more than $100 billion annually in energy bills. In 2011, the 245 participants saved $5.2 million on their utility bills and prevented nearly 30,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, equal to the emissions from the electricity used by more than 3,600 homes a year. By improving the energy efficiency of commercial buildings, such as schools, offices, hospitals and retail stores, competitors will reduce energy waste and save on utility bills while protecting the environment and people’s health.

"This year the number of teams committing to increase energy efficiency through the Energy Star Battle of the Buildings is larger than ever before -- more than ten times as many as last year. We're expecting record energy savings as more and more buildings cut back on their energy use," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "We wish the best to the thousands of teams competing, but we know the big winners will be the American people, who will benefit from the innovative ideas that emerge from the competition. As in years past, these ideas will translate into new ways we can all cut energy use, save money on our power bills, and reduce the carbon pollution that is changing our climate."
More than 30 different types of commercial buildings are facing off in this year’s National Building Competition, representing all 50 states, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia. The competitors range from a Kmart store on the island of St. Thomas to a crime lab in Phoenix to a federal office building in Nome, Alaska. The number of participants in the National Building Competition has jumped from 14 buildings in 2010, the competition’s first year, to 245 in 2011 to over 3,200 this year.

Competitors use EPA's Energy Star online tool, Portfolio Manager, to measure and track their buildings’ monthly energy consumption. Last year, the University of Central Florida won after cutting the energy use of an on-campus parking garage by more than 63 percent in just one year.
Throughout the year-long competition the public can keep track of the progress made by buildings on the web. 

A list of buildings leading the competition at the half-way point of the competition will be released in Fall 2012. The winner along with top finalists in each building category with the largest percentage reduction in energy use in 2012 as compared to 2011 will be recognized in April 2013. Additionally, this year EPA’s WaterSense program, in partnership with Energy Star, will recognize top water use reducers as a part of the competition.

Launched in 1992 by EPA, Energy Star is a market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. This year marks the 20^th anniversary of the Energy Star program. Over the past 20 years, with the help of Energy Star, American families and businesses have saved about $230 billion on utility bills and prevented more than 1.7 billion metric tons of carbon pollution. To date, more than 1.3 million new homes and nearly 18,500 buildings across all 50 states have earned EPA's Energy Star certification. The Energy Star label can be found on more than 65 different kinds of products with more than 5 billion sold over the last 20 years.
List of competitors, social media updates (#ESNBC), interactive map of buildings and photos of the competition: http://www.energystar.gov/BattleOfTheBuildings 

R130

Obama Administration Releases Roadmap for Solar Energy Development on Public Lands

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

http://energy.gov/articles/obama-administration-releases-roadmap-solar-energy-development-public-lands

Maine Deploys First U.S. Commercial, Grid-Connected Tidal Energy Project

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

http://energy.gov/articles/maine-deploys-first-us-commercial-grid-connected-tidal-energy-project

Solar panel approvals speed up in Town and Country : Stltoday

Solar panel approvals speed up in Town and Country : Stltoday

GE Pursues Its Global Growth, Reinforces Commitment to ecomagination with Latest Wind Farm through Gama Enerji

Press release:

24 July 2012

GE Pursues Its Global Growth, Reinforces Commitment to ecomagination with Latest Wind Farm through Gama Enerji

ALİAĞA, İzmir, Turkey – July 24, 2012 - GE (NYSE: GE) unit GE Energy Financial Services is pursuing its global growth, reinforcing the company’s ecomagination initiative and increasing renewable energy in Turkey by completing the country’s newest wind farm – the Karadağ Wind Power Plant – through GAMA Enerji A. Ş., the GE unit’s joint venture with GAMA Holding A.Ş. This project is the joint venture’s second wind farm in Turkey.

Located in the city of İzmir in the Aegean region, the 10-megawatt wind project began generating electricity on July 4, 2012. Four 2.5-megawatt GE turbines, which just surpassed two gigawatts of installed capacity worldwide, are in use at the site. GAMA Enerji’s other wind farm, the 22.5-megawatt Sares wind farm, uses nine 2.5-megawatt GE turbines and began commercial operations in March 2011.

“Our partnership with GAMA reinforces our commitment to investing in and building our presence in the global renewable energy market,” said Andrew Marsden, managing director, Europe at GE Energy Financial Services. “Additionally, we are proud to support our ecomagination program by assisting Turkey’s efforts to diversify its energy sector.”

The joint venture supports two GE strategies: growth in Turkey and renewable energy. Turkey is a strategic growth area for GE, which has been investing in the country for more than 60 years. Meanwhile, GE reports US $21 billion in ecomagination revenues for 2011 and US $105 billion in sales since the program’s launch in 2005. Ecomagination is GE’s commitment to solving the world’s toughest environmental challenges through its innovative products and services, including GE’s 2.5-megawatt turbine.

With the approval of Turkey’s Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, the Karadağ wind farm commenced commercial operation, furthering Turkey’s goal of generating 30 percent of its energy from renewables by 2023. GAMA Enerji estimates that Karadağ and Sares will generate enough electricity to power 59,000 average Turkish homes and avoid 80,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions a year.

GE Energy maintains the Karadağ and Sares wind farms under a services agreement, while GAMA Enerji operates them. With a diverse production portfolio and numerous renewable energy investments, GAMA Enerji aims to become an investor across the electricity generation spectrum and increase its total capacity to 2.5-gigawatts.

With a history in Turkey since 1948, GE’s footprint in the country includes significant partnerships in aviation, energy, lighting, healthcare, transportation and research and development. With six facilities and over 600 employees, GE today powers nearly 25 percent of Turkey’s electricity needs and has provided engines for 60 percent of the airplanes in the country and 20,000 GE Healthcare technologies, which are used daily across various hospitals.

About GAMA Enerji A.Ş. 
GAMA Enerji was formed with a platform of power and water infrastructure assets that were completed by GAMA under a Build-Operate-Transfer model. GAMA Enerji owns equity in projects which have total electricity capacity of 1,620 MW, and water conveyance capacity of 242 million m3/year. GAMA Enerji continues to develop and invest in power and water infrastructure projects in Turkey and the surrounding region. For more information, visit www.gama.com.tr/energy

About GAMA Holding
GAMA was established in Turkey in 1959 and has become a leading international contractor with operations in 17 countries extending from Ireland in the west to Russia’s Sakhalin Island in the east. GAMA Holding Companies presently have contracts in 9 countries valued approximately USD $4.6 billion. Besides serving as an EPC supplier of power plants and a general contractor of industrial facilities, GAMA’s core business includes energy investments, managed by its subsidary GAMA Enerji A.Ş. For more information, please visit www.GAMA.com.tr

About GE Energy Financial Services
GE Energy Financial Services’ experts invest globally across the capital spectrum in essential, long-lived, and capital-intensive energy assets that meet the world’s energy needs. In addition to capital, GE Energy Financial Services offers the best of GE’s technical know-how, technology innovation, financial strength, and rigorous risk management. Based in Stamford, Connecticut, the GE business unit helps its customers and GE grow through new investments, strong partnerships, and optimization of its approximately US $20 billion in assets. For more information, visitwww.geenergyfinancialservices.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.

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DECC Blog Update

DECC Blog Update

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DECC press notice

GE Launches a New High Accuracy Power and Energy Meter for the Building Automation Industry

Press release:

18 July 2012

GE Launches a New High Accuracy Power and Energy Meter for the Building Automation Industry

 

• Enables Rapid Integration into BACnet Management Systems
• Users Can Read Energy and Meter Data Remotely through a Web Interface
• Provides Easy Access to Metered Data and Power Quality Status with EnerVista™ Software

MARKHAM, ONTARIO— July 18, 2012—GE (NYSE: GE) today announces the release of the Multilin™ EPM 6010, a high accuracy, revenue-class power meter that can communicate using both the BACnet/IP and Modbus TCP protocols.

The BACnet protocol is used today in building automation projects to integrate HVAC, lighting, elevators and other devices to building management systems to better control energy usage and costs. The EPM 6010 provides accurate and timely energy use data allowing the automation system to better respond to changes in demand. The Multilin EPM 6010 gives building management systems access to an impressive 40 predefined BACnet objects, which allows the meter to seamlessly integrate into the automation system. In addition to BACnet, the meter’s Web interface allows users to track energy usage remotely with a standard browser, and the Modbus TCP interface permits interoperability with HMI software such as Multilin EnerVista™ Viewpoint Monitoring.

Along with its advanced communications capabilities, the EPM 6010 meter provides true RMS multifunction measurements including voltage, current, power, frequency and 0.2 percent energy accuracy in compliance with modern IEC and ANSI accuracy standards.

GE Energy has more than 20 years of experience and innovation in industrial power meters and industrial energy management solutions. The larger portfolio of GE meters, communications equipment and energy management software solutions helps customers utilize power efficiently and economically by building a fully integrated energy management solution.

For more information about GE’s Multilin EPM 6010 please 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.

GE, the GE monogram, Multilin and EnerVistaare are trademarks of the General Electric Company.

E15 ethanol blend adds another fuel option for drivers - KansasCity.com

E15 ethanol blend adds another fuel option for drivers - KansasCity.com

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NREL: News Feature - NREL Helps Cut Building Energy Use in Half

GE’s Waukesha Gas Engines to Power Cambodia Rice Husk Biomass-Energy Project

Press release:

13 July 2012

GE’s Waukesha Gas Engines to Power Cambodia Rice Husk Biomass-Energy Project

 

• Soma Group Biogas Project is First to be Implemented Following GE’s 2011 Alternative Energy Development Agreement with Cambodian Government
• Project Represents Country’s First Integrated Biomass Gasification-Gas Engine Solution Designed to Sell Power to the Grid
• Rice Husk Gasification Initiative to Serve as Distributed Power Model for Other ASEAN Countries

SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA—July 13, 2012—GE (NYSE: GE) today announced the SOMA Group, a leading Cambodian industrial conglomerate, has selected GE’s Waukesha gas engine technology to power a new rural, rice husk biomass-energy project. The project is Cambodia’s first integrated biomass gasification-gas engine solution designed to supply renewable electricity to the local grid in support of the country’s rural electrification goals.

GE and the Soma Group signed their gas engine supply contract during aU.S.-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) and U.S. Chamber of Commerce-sponsored forum in the city of Siem Reap in northwestern Cambodia. Francisco J. Sánchez, U.S. undersecretary of commerce for international trade, Robert D. “Bob” Hormats, U.S. undersecretary of state for economic, business and agricultural affairs, and His Excellency Sat Samy, secretary of state of the Cambodian Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy (MIME), witnessed the contract signing ceremony.

Located in the country’s rural rice milling region of Kamphong Cham, the SOMA Group’s Hak Se mill biomass gasification project is also the first to be implemented after GE and the Cambodian government signed a 2011 alternative energy development agreement to identify opportunities to use GE’s distributed power, smart grid and other solutions to meet the country’s energy challenges.

The GE-Soma Group contract exemplifies how U.S.-based companies like GE are supporting alternative energy projects throughout Southeast Asia. The Soma Group project creates a model for similar agricultural biomass waste-to-energy development opportunities in the ASEAN region. ASEAN member countries represent a combined 1 gigawatt “biogas segment” due to their abundance of biomass resources and focus on rural electrification.

Ankur Scientific Energy Technologies Pvt. Ltd, a global technology leader in renewable energy technologies based in India, is developing the new Cambodia biomass gasification facility for project owner Soma Energy Ltd. The rice husk will be converted into biogas, which then will be used in two GE VHP 5904 Waukesha engines to generate a total of a 1.5 megawatt (MW) of renewable electricity. Part of the power will support the rice mill’s operations while surplus electricity will be sold to the local grid, providing an economical power supply and improving the living standards of people in the area.

The new power plant is expected to begin commercial service in March 2013.

“Our new facility is expected to serve as an important model for the region’s rice-milling industry and other agricultural sectors by showing how they can recycle more of their biomass, generate renewable electricity and make their mills more competitive by reducing their on-site energy and waste disposal expenses,” said Sok Puthyvut, SOMA Group CEO.

SOMA Group selected GE’s Waukesha gas engine technology after determining it would be more cost-effective than using a diesel-powered system to help exploit the country’s abundant supply of rice husk waste as a reliable source of biogas to produce renewable energy. Less than two kilograms of husk can produce 1 kilowatt hour of electricity.

By recycling rice mill waste into biogas to support the local grid, the SOMA Group project is supporting Cambodia‘s Rural Electrification Program that seeks to supply electricity to every village by 2020 and to connect 70 percent of the country’s households to the grid by 2030. Currently, only 50 percent of rural villages have access to electricity with demands for power growing at 25 percent a year.

Supplies of the biomass feedstock are expected to remain strong: the Cambodian government has established a goal to export 1 million tons of rice in 2013 that will create about 400,000 tons of concentrated rice husks.

The Soma Group project is a breakthrough in the high-potential ASEAN region for GE’s gas engine technology, which is ideally suited to support agricultural-waste-to-value applications in developing countries. We are pleased with this opportunity to work with the Soma Group and Ankur to deploy our Waukesha gas engine technology to launch this biomass energy program for Cambodia to meet its economic and environmental goals. It is very much in line with our focus of building and powering to help countries shape their future economic landscapes,” said Kenji Uenishi, president of GE Energy, Asia Pacific.

The Soma Group project illustrates how GE and MIME are working with local companies to upgrade Cambodia’s generation and transmission infrastructure, expand the production of cleaner energy and promote industrial and residential energy efficiency. In particular, GE is supporting MIME’s efforts to optimize the country’s agricultural strengths by supporting various rural electrification projects.

The Soma Group project also represents the country’s first power purchase agreement to use a biomass tariff stemming from GE’s October 2011 agreement with Cambodia. As part of the agreement, GE identified the segment potential of using rice husk as a biogas feedstock while supporting the government’s establishment of a feed-in-tariff to help finance biomass projects. GE also helped educate the local rice milling industry as well as local banks and other potential investors. In addition, GE identified proven gasification technology and developed an integrated package solution that justified the project’s economics.

The SOMA Group’s biogas-energy initiative further demonstrates how GE’s comprehensive suite of distributed power solutions—ranging in size from 100 kW to 100 MW— offer industries and communities around the world the ability to generate reliable and efficient on-site power with a variety of fuels to promote greater local energy security and reduced emissions. GE’s distributed power portfolio includes aeroderivative gas turbines, Jenbacher and Waukesha gas engines and waste heat recovery solutions.

“ASEAN has strong growth prospects with the economies of its countries remaining resilient despite global uncertainties,” said Stuart Dean, CEO of GE ASEAN. “We have a solid footprint in ASEAN today as we work together with the public and private sectors to co-create and bring to market innovative solutions for world-class infrastructure and healthcare in a region with a population of about 600 million.”

GE’s latest Cambodia announcement comes on the heels of the company’s participation in a USABC energy event in Vietnam. On July 10 in Hanoi, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton attended the signing of two GE equipment supply contracts to upgrade Vietnam’s energy infrastructure. Under the first contract, GE agreed to supply Vietnam’s National Power Transmission Corp. with its capacitor bank technology to help double the capacity of the 500kV Pleiku–Phu Lam transmission line. The Pleiku–Phu Lam line serves as the backbone of the country’s North-to-South transmission system. Separately, GE also signed a new strategic partnership agreement with the Cong Thanh Group, a private business group, to provide steam turbine and generator equipment in support of new power generation projects in Vietnam.

GE launched its presence in Cambodia in July 2007. Meanwhile, in Vietnam, the company established an office in Hanoi in 1993 and subsequently in Ho Chi Minh City in 2001, working in partnership with local organizations. In addition to Cambodia and Vietnam, GE has been operating in ASEAN since the 1960s with operations in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei and soon in Myanmar, as the company looks to the region as a key driver for growth. GE generated about $3B in revenue in the ASEAN region last year and has been growing at 20 percent annually. GE employs more than 300,000 people worldwide, including 7,500 employees throughout ASEA.

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.

Press release:

Suffolk Life and IBM Work Together to Reduce Power and Save Money

Smarter Computing and streamlined storage delivers improved flexibility and business agility

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London - 12 Jul 2012: IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced that Suffolk Life, one of the U.K.’s leading providers and administrators of specialist pensions, has decreased energy consumption while meeting increased customer demand after adopting IBM's Smarter Computing approach to IT several months ago. In the four weeks following completion of the project in April, overall power consumption at Suffolk Life had reduced by 37 percent, delivering projected savings of approximately £30k per year.

Suffolk Life is one of the U.K.’s leading providers and administrators of Self Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), administering more than 16,000 self-invested plans with gross assets in excess of £4.5 billion. IBM's Smarter Computing approach to IT is designed to provide customers greater system efficiencies and performance, while lowering costs, through the use of optimized systems. In the case of Suffolk Life, the company is now able to quickly increase infrastructure based on consumer and business demand while lowering energy consumption.   

IBM upgraded and consolidated the Suffolk Life IT server and storage infrastructure to deliver increased flexibility in handling and accessing pension data across the business while significantly decreasing their carbon footprint and energy costs. The improvements also allow for easy expansion as their customer database grows.  

“We are continually looking to find new ways of improving our business processes and infrastructure in order to deliver top class propositions and services for our customers,” said Ian Long, Head of Information Technology for Suffolk Life. “This project has been a resounding success for Suffolk Life. IBM delivered an updated infrastructure ahead of schedule that enabled us to significantly reduce our power consumption and associated running costs.”  

IBM migrated 84 percent of the existing physical environment to a new virtualized server and storage environment, switching from HP servers to energy efficient IBM System x3650 M3 servers. As a result, Suffolk Life has consolidated the physical servers from 66 boxes to only six across two sites, plus the additional nine IBM hosts providing the new virtual environment. As well as providing a new server and storage infrastructure, the project included the migration of 60 business applications to the new environment.  

“IBM has been able to apply our services expertise to provide Suffolk Life the IT flexibility needed to keep up with increased customer demand and provide the foundation of flexibility, efficiency and capacity to significantly grow the business into the future,” said Andrew Brierley, Vice President of Integrated Technology Services, IBM U.K. & Ireland.  

As a result of the project, data indicates that overall power consumption at Suffolk Life has reduced by approximately 37 percent since the implementation of the new infrastructure with a potential cost saving per year of up to £30k. The power reduction seen during the first 4 weeks of running the new environment equates to almost 13 tons of C0² (12,888kg).  

The System x3650 server is part of IBM’s Smarter Computing initiative. Through cloud technologies and systems optimized for their specific workload, IBM is helping organisations better access, organize, and utilize their own large amounts of data.  

About Suffolk Life

Suffolk Life is one of the UK’s leading providers and administrators of specialist pension products, primarily Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs). It has total assets exceeding £4 billion. Suffolk Life owns over 2,500 properties for over 4,000 SIPP investors. All figures are as at January 2012. Suffolk Life is part of the Legal & General Group. Established in 1971 and based in Ipswich, Suffolk Life employs around 200 people and has built an enviable reputation based on its expertise and knowledge of the SIPP market. 

About IBM

For more information about IBM, please visit www.ibm.com/uk/services.

GE Fills Walgreens Prescription for Vibrant Lighting and Energy Efficiency

News release from General Electric:

12 July 2012

GE Fills Walgreens Prescription for Vibrant Lighting and Energy Efficiency

 

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EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio — July 12, 2012 — (NYSE:GE) — When consumers walk into their neighborhood Walgreens (NYSE, NASDAQ: WAG) store, they may notice a difference as they walk down the aisles. Nail polish on cosmetic shelves may appear more vibrant and magazine covers may be easier to read. GE Lighting helped Walgreens recently upgrade its general lighting across 80 percent of its nationwide locations. The change is subtle, but noticeable to customers and to Walgreens' energy budget.

“Creating the very best shopping experience for our customers is our top priority, and lighting helps us achieve that goal,” said Tim Schmid, divisional vice president of facilities management, energy and sustainability with Walgreens. “With our new lighting upgrade, colors appear more vibrant and more like they would in daylight, so customers don’t need to second guess themselves in the cosmetics aisle. Plus, the change is saving us money and energy at the same time.”

Walgreens new lighting initiative meant installing lamps with a higher color temperature and color rendering index (CRI), causing tones to appear more vivid and vibrant. Because different types of light produce different color temperatures, lighting can affect how shoppers perceive the colors of different products. Color accuracy at a store widely known for its cosmetics selection is critical.

New linear fluorescent fixtures from GE Lighting will increase energy efficiency by nine percent and extend re-lamp cycles by 10 percent. Walgreens achieved greater energy efficiency by switching from 28-watt to new 25-watt GE F25 T8 linear fluorescent tubes. Though the difference in wattage is only three watts per light, the change means thousands of dollars saved as it impacts more than 4.3 million lights at nearly 7,000 stores.

Walgreens was recently recognized with GE’s annual ‘Retailer of the Year’ award in 2011 for demonstrating how energy-efficient lighting can improve the visual aesthetics of a store. The nation’s largest drugstore chain is also GE’s largest employer of F25 technology.

For more information on the GE Lighting products used by Walgreens, visitwww.gelightingsolutions.com.

About Walgreens
Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2011 sales of $72 billion. The company operates 7,907 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Each day, Walgreens provides nearly 6 million customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice in communities across America. Walgreens’ scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility and mail service, along with respiratory services. These services improve health outcomes and lower costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country. 

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.