GE Energy

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GE Energy is the energy arm of GE Infrastructure. GE Infrastructure is one of the six core businesses of General Electric, the diversified global company with interests spanning from aircraft engines, power generation, water processing and security technology to medical imaging, business and consumer financing, media content and advanced materials.

GE Energy is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2006 it generated revenue of $19 billion. On its website GE-Energy states that it "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."[1] GE Energy boasts that it hgas approximately 36,000 employees operating in over 100 countries. In a backgrounder on the company it states that over 10,000 gas turbines in both planes and energy plants have been installed as well as over 3,390 steam turbines, 6,000 gas engines, 8,650 wind turbines and 56 nuclear plants.[2]

In September 2011 Keith White, director of GE Energy’s coal gasification business stated, "We make a majority of our money in China today. They use their coal for quality high-end products." White said that leaders in Wyoming should continue their support of coal-gasification and keep in mind the need to expand to additional markets like plastics and other refined products. He noted that a high volume of coal in China is refined into liquid byproducts "such as naphtha, and other products that are the feedstock of plastics and the Chinese garment industry."[3]

GE Energy’s nuclear business

GE Energy has provided technology to the nuclear industry for more than 50 years. Its business divides into four main sections: new reactors, nuclear fuel, reactor services and performance services.

Like most other companies involved in nuclear power, GE Energy is attempting to rebrand nuclear as a green technology. Its website says: "At GE, we're dedicated to meeting the world's energy requirements with solutions that help protect and preserve our environment. That's why we're committed to helping nuclear power plants operate safely and with greater efficiency and output."[4]

In addition to the US, GE Energy has a major presence in Canada, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Italy and Norway.

In 2007, it is hosting two international conferences called ‘Advancing the Nuclear Renaissance’. [5]

Nukes Vital for Climate and Security of Supply

General Electric has been pushing the case for nuclear in the UK for several years.

In September 2004, Andrew White, chairman and chief executive officer of General Electric's global nuclear unit, said: "It's vital for the UK to support nuclear energy. I don't see a good energy policy in the UK to meet Kyoto and secure supplies".[6]

In 2006, GE Infrastructure, one of GE’s six divisions, set out the company’s view on the future of the UK’s nuclear energy industry, in a submission to the Department for Trade and Industry’s consultation ‘Our Energy Challenge – Securing clean affordable energy for the long-term’, which followed the 2003 Energy White Paper. The document stated that GE wants to see "nuclear… back on the permitting agenda with standardized approval procedures for new build that ensures fast and economic deployment, to ensure security of supply while meeting environmental safety objectives."

It continued: "GE believes that nuclear energy is and will remain an essential component of the global energy mix… Nuclear energy helps to ensure security of supply and meeting greenhouse gas reduction objectives… GE welcomes the approach taken by the UK Government to examine the possibility to build new nuclear units… GE believes that the Government should put in place the following policy elements to ensure that:

  • The public is informed about the need for new builds and nuclear waste management,
  • The licensing process for new builds is transparent and streamlined in order to reduce the commissioning time and lessen risk for private investors,
  • A sustainable waste management policy is put in place".[7]

Pro-Nuke Lobbying

According to an article in Sunday Business in January 2006, General Electric has "begun a lobbying campaign for its Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (ABWR) design to be used in the UK’s next generation of nuclear reactors. GE Nuclear chief executive Andy White told The Business he had discussed using GE&’s technology with UK nuclear company British Energy, Eon UK and EdF Energy, the two UK companies seen as the leaders of any potential new build. He also said he had met Prime Minister Tony Blair last year and briefed officials at the Department of Trade and Industry.[8]

Personnel

PR Companies

Affiliations

GE Energy is a member of:

Contact Details

Website: http://www.gepower.com/home/index.htm

Resources

References

  1. ↑ "GE Energy Receives Largest Jenbacher Gas Engine Order: Projects Support Bangladesh Rural Electrification Initiative", Media Release, December 19, 2007.
  2. ↑ GE Energy, GE Energy, undated, accessed December 2007.
  3. ↑ [http://wyofile.com/2011/09/ge-wyoming-coal-could-be-converted-to-shirts/ "GE: Wyoming coal could be converted to shirts" Dustin Bleizeffer, WyoFile, September 16, 2011.
  4. ↑ ‘Where experience matters’, GE website, undated accessed February 2007.
  5. ↑ Advancing the Nuclear Renaissance, GE website, undated, accessed February 2007.
  6. ↑ U.K. Needs Nuclear Power to Meet Demand, GE Says, Bloomberg, September 29, 2004.
  7. ↑ GE Infrastructure’s submission to the Department for Trade and Industry’s consultation ‘Our Energy Challenge – Securing clean affordable energy for the long-term’ (pdf file), Department for Trade and Industry website, undated, accessed February 2007
  8. ↑ Richard Orange, "GE Seeking UK Nuclear Role", Sunday Business, January 22, 2006; Not accessible online.

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