The Wind Energy Advocacy Award is held by on three companies, one of them being the General Electric Company. A globally diversified technology and financial services company, GE invests heavily in wind power. With over $38 billion in 2010 revenues and 100,00 employees working for GE Energy, this company is providing solutions for the worlds energy issues and is far ahead with wind turbine solutions. Having the largest share of the wind market in the United States, GE constantly is improving their design of the technology to expand its use in different geographies. The challenge is the financial crisis which requires that GE push their improvements to increase output and decrease costs. It’s all about the cost of components versus the generation of power over the lifetime of the turbine and GE is leading the field.
Where is GE Energy Wind Turbines, Now
As GE states, “GE’s wind turbines prevent as much as 18.3 million tons of greenhouse gases annually, an amount roughly equal to keeping over three million cars off the road.” The goal is to reduce downtime and increase lifetime performance. With a 98.6 % availability, GE Energy’s most widely used wind turbine, 1.5 MW series, has 16,500 installed globally and professes to be the highest annual energy yield in its class. Built through this excellent track record and expanded, their 2.5 MW Series has been selected for two installations and their larger 4.0 MW Series, is now on the market. Especially designed for off shore environments, these turbines come with redundant operation and onsite repair. Providing assistance from beginning to end, GE is the company to look at for excellent service.
Where is GE Energy, Wind Turbines, in the Future
Research has begun by GE Global Research on a wind turbine to support an application in the 10-15 megawatt range. Old technology for wind turbine design can not meet the two requirements; more power with less cost. A new look at magnetic technology used in MRI systems can produce a larger turbine with more torque and more reliability, overall.
With this size and capability for wind generated power, many avenues open up worldwide. Perhaps wind turbines in the future may become a widespread method for power worldwide while GE Energy stays in the lead.
Resources
Sept. 06, 2011, GE Using MRI Technology to Help Build Better Wind Turbines, Green Economy
Nov. 4, 2011, GE: New York Stock Quote- General Electric Co, Bloomberg
Wind Turbines- Wind Power/ GE Energy, GE-Energy
AWEA Honors Wind Sector Leaders For Contributions to Industry, North American WindPower
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