Press releases

Going for Green: GE Supporting the Long Term Energy Goals of London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games

GE Energy’s Jenbacher Cogeneration Systems to Provide Power for Innovative Olympic Park Energy Centers

LONDON, ENGLAND—October 28, 2009—GE Energy has been awarded the contract to supply its ecomagination-approved Jenbacher cogeneration technology to power two innovative, natural gas and biomass-fueled energy centers being built in the Olympic Park and Stratford City development. The centers will provide reliable and efficient power, heating and cooling systems for the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, as well as new buildings and communities that will develop after 2012.

The 10-megawatt (MW) project, which will have the potential to power approximately 20,000 homes, is a cornerstone of London 2012’s goals to increase the use of alternative energy, water conservation and recycling strategies to minimize the environmental impact of the Games.

“The energy center initiative that includes GE’s technology illustrates the advanced energy infrastructure that we are installing in the Olympic Park,” said Simon Wright, Olympic Delivery Authority director of infrastructure and utilities. “The energy centers will be the heart of the utilities network in the Olympic Park, fueling not only a summer of world-class sport, but also the lasting regeneration of the area for many years to come.“

The first energy center, featuring two of GE Energy’s Jenbacher 3.3-MW natural gas cogeneration modules, is being built in the Stratford City development area and will support Olympic Park activities, as well as commercial redevelopment initiatives in East London.

The second plant, at Kings Yard on the western end of Olympic Park, will be fitted with one 3.3-MW GE Energy Jenbacher cogeneration module to help generate needed thermal power for the Aquatics Center swimming pools and other venues via the Olympic Park’s district heating network. The plant also will generate electrical and thermal power for sporting venues, homes and other buildings in the area.

Both energy facilities will include boilers that use natural gas as feedstock to generate additional heat to meet peak demands. The Kings Yard facility also includes a boiler that can utilize wood chip biomass to generate heat to help meet the base demand.

“The proven fuel-flexibility and durability of our cogeneration technology will help optimize the performance and reliability of the new energy centers, which will be crucial to the success of the London 2012 Olympic Games and 2012 Paralympic Games, as well as the long-term economic development of London,” said Prady Iyyanki, CEO of GE Energy’s Jenbacher gas engine business.

Combined heat and power (CHP) technology is more energy efficient than using separate electrical and thermal power systems and thus helps reduce CO2 emissions from power generation. The CHP plants will help the Olympic Delivery Authority reach its target of a 20 percent reduction in CO2 emissions through use of renewable and alternative energy sources compared to traditional heating, cooling and power generation equipment.

After the Games end, the energy centers at Kings Yard and Stratford City will then be used to support future commercial development in East London for at least 40 years.

“GE is a worldwide partner of the Olympic Games through the London 2012 Olympic Games, and its Jenbacher CHP technology has provided reliable onsite electrical and thermal power to help ensure the success of previous Games in China, Italy and Greece,” Iyyanki noted.

About GE’s Olympic Games Sponsorship

As a Worldwide Olympic Games Partner, GE 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 Games venues including power, water treatment, transportation and security, and to supply hospitals with diagnostic imaging equipment to help doctors treat athletes.

GE was a partner for more than 400 infrastructure projects in Beijing. It also will supply a range of technologies for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

GE's Olympic Games partnership was launched in January 2005 and continues through the London 2012 Olympic Games.

About GE in the UK

With operations in the United Kingdom since the 1930s, GE's businesses here have seen accelerated growth in recent years. GE continually invests in its businesses and in innovative technology that can meet the needs of its customers and society, particularly in the energy, transportation and healthcare sectors. GE employs 20,000 people in the United Kingdom and is based in more than 45 major locations, from Aberdeen to Truro and from Cardiff to Cambridge.

About GE Energy

GE Energy (www.ge.com/energy) is one of the world’s leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies, with 2008 revenue of $29.3 billion. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, GE Energy works in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and biogas; and other alternative fuels.

About GE

GE is a diversified global infrastructure, finance and media company that is built to meet essential world needs. From energy, water, transportation and health to access to money and information, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.ge.com. GE is Imagination at Work.

For more information, contact:

Martina Streiter
GE Energy
Jenbacher gas engines
+43 5244 600 2470
+43 676 8944 2470
martina.streiter@ge.com


Ken Darling or Tom Murnane
Masto Public Relations
+1 518 786 6488
kenneth.darling@ge.com
tom.murnane@mastopr.com