Published: January 20, 2011
GE's Grid IQ Experience Center Grand Opening Solidifies Atlanta as a Leading Source for Sustainable Energy Innovation
ATLANTA - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Today, GE Energy (NYSE: GE) held the grand opening ceremony for its new
Grid IQ Experience Center, located in the Smart Grid Center of
Excellence in Atlanta, Ga. Grid IQ is GE's company-wide commitment to
solving customers' toughest challenges in innovative ways with more
efficient, reliable and sustainable energy solutions. The
state-of-the-art, interactive Experience Center educates utilities,
consumers, regulators and policy makers about the global energy
landscape and the GE technologies modernizing the electrical grid to
empower energy suppliers and consumers. GE and the Center of Excellence
have created approximately 200 new jobs in Georgia since 2009.
"As a source for energy education and innovation, the Experience Center
will have a positive impact on the city and our state for years to
come," said Governor Nathan Deal. "Grid IQ Experience Center supports
our state's economic growth and helps characterize Atlanta as a global
leader in the energy sector."
The Grid IQ Experience Center features an iPad-guided tour to help
visitors understand smart grid solutions and their potential to change
how power is generated, delivered and consumed. Visitors will learn why
and how GE technologies empower consumers to make smarter decisions
about energy consumption, like charging an electric vehicle during
off-peak times. The Experience Center also features in-depth technical
demonstrations to help educate utility engineers about GE's proven
energy solutions for increasing efficiency and reliability.
"Global electricity demand is expected to increase 75 percent by 2030*,"
said Bob Gilligan, vice president-digital energy for GE Energy Services.
"We must take action to modernize the grid to meet our growing capacity,
environmental and security needs. Our new Grid IQ Experience Center will
position Atlanta as a leader in driving change through the power of
education-showcasing how utilities, regulators and consumers can enact
measures simultaneously to achieve a greater degree of energy
efficiency."
Along with the Grid IQ Experience Center, the Smart Grid Center of
Excellence includes a world-class smart grid innovation laboratory. GE's
collaboration with the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech),
one of the nation's top research universities, is aiding in developing
the laboratory. Through their involvement, Georgia Tech students will be
able to develop and test new smart grid technologies to improve the
efficiency, reliability and environmental impact of energy delivery and
use-including the integration of more renewable energy sources like wind
and solar.
The Smart Grid Center of Excellence was made possible through a
public-private partnership consisting of Georgia government, energy
industries and academia.
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) is a diversified infrastructure, finance and media company
taking on the world's toughest challenges. From aircraft engines and
power generation to financial services, health care solutions and
television programming, GE operates in more than 100 countries and
employs about 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the
company's website at www.ge.com.
GE serves the energy sector by developing and deploying technology that
helps make efficient use of natural resources. With nearly 85,000 global
employees and 2009 revenues of $40 billion, GE Energy www.ge.com/energy
is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation and energy
delivery technologies. The businesses that comprise GE Energy-GE Power &
Water, GE Energy Services and GE Oil & Gas-work together to provide
integrated product and service solutions 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.
*Source: International Energy Agency 2010

GE Energy Services
Britton Cronin, 972-715-8503
britton.cronin@ge.com
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