GE highlights training opportunities for Saudi professionals

GE is highlighting its commitment to support Saudi Arabia’s focus on strengthening energy and water sector efficiency through the participation of GE Power and Water and GE Power Conversion at the three-day Saudi Water & Power Forum 2013 (SWPF) in Jeddah. GE, gold sponsor of the event, is showcasing its newest product portfolio as well as putting the spotlight on the professional training opportunities for Saudi professionals to develop their skills and lead energy sector operations in the Kingdom. ? According to recent estimates by the organizers of the Saudi Water & Power Forum, the Kingdom will invest over SR700 billion to upgrade power and water production facilities and infrastructure projects in the next two decades. This is to meet an estimated 10 percent growth in demand for both utilities. ? Mohammed Mohaisen, CEO, power generation products and services sales of GE Power & Water, Middle East, said: “GE’s technology showcase at the Saudi Power & Water Forum is specifically aligned to meet the Kingdom’s goals by upgrading the performance of exiting gas turbine assets used in power generation.” He said: “Our technologies focus on strengthening the supply side to achieve more output with less fuel deployment in turn driving all-round efficiency.” ? Mohaisen added: “Based on our in-depth industry research, we estimate that savings of an additional 800 MW of power and over 5,000 MMBTU/hour of natural gas can be achieved through performance and efficiency upgrade. GE’s solutions on display for the water sector are aimed at reducing costs and maintain long-term efficiency.” ? Alongside the advanced products and services, at the forum, GE is also encouraging Saudi energy sector professionals and youth talent to develop their skills through training sessions offered at our GE Manufacturing Technology Center and the GE Technical Academy in Jubail, developed in cooperation with the Saudi Technical & Vocational Training Corporation.? The key power sector technologies displayed by GE at the exhibition include its advanced gas path (AGP) solution for its F- Class gas turbine customers in the Kingdom and the region. The AGP solution is part of GE’s FlexEfficiency Advantage (FEA) portfolio for F-Class gas turbines apply the collective power of hardware innovations, advanced software and data analytics in ways that enable its customers to unleash the full performance and value of their existing gas turbine assets. ??Proven to deliver industry-leading upgrade performance, AGP technology advancements feature hardware design and materials improvements to the components of GE’s gas turbine hot gas path system. These innovations are coupled with GE’s OpFlex advanced controls software to expand gas turbine performance and enable GE customers to operate their power plants more dynamically. ?? Solutions delivered through the FEA platforms are part of GE’s Predictivity portfolio. GE Predictivity solutions tap into the power of the industrial Internet, a combination of mind and machine assets that collectively bring industrial-strength capabilities to GE customers. ??Presented at the Saudi Power & Water Forum last year, GE will once again showcase its FlexEfficiency 60 Portfolio, which represents the newest development in power plant technologies. It redefines the standards of operational flexibility, with the portfolio comprising gas turbines, steam turbines, generators, and enhanced plant controls allowing operators to take full advantage of renewable energy resources coming on and off the grid. FlexEfficiency 60 also boosts energy efficiency by harnessing natural gas and enabling greater use of renewable energy. ?? The FlexEfficiency 60 Combined-Cycle Power Plant is the most flexible and most efficient power plant of its kind with the capability to reach greater than 61 percent thermal efficiency, and is an ideal fit to Saudi Arabia as it combines record-breaking efficiency while reducing emissions and providing unprecedented flexibility. ??For the water sector, GE is displaying its ZeeWeed ultrafiltration hollow-fiber membranes, which are designed with a robust life expectancy. ZeeWeed membranes are utilized for drinking water, wastewater, tertiary and water reuse applications, as well as industrial feedwater and reverse osmosis pretreatment. The advanced technology is currently operational in thousands of municipal, industrial, and commercial applications worldwide.?? GE’s experts took part in panel discussions on Partnerships to Drive Energy Efficiency on Tuesday and will be participating in a discussion on Efficiency Opportunities on Tuesday. ?? With more than 80 years of presence in the Kingdom, today, more than 500 GE turbines currently generate over 50 percent of Saudi electricity, and the company’s advanced technology supports the production of 150 million liters clean water daily, delivered to the country’s remotest corners. ?? Recently, GE signed a contract with Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) to bring additional F-class combined cycle gas turbines, and associated equipment and services to Saudi Arabia. GE’s technology previously has been chosen to power SEC’s PP9, PP10, PP11 and PP12 projects. PP12 will be the first project in the Kingdom to utilize GE’s 7F-5 gas turbine technology, involving eight units that will help generate nearly 2 GW of power. PP13 and PP14 will feature 12 GE 7F-5 gas turbines, four GE steam turbines and 16 generators. Source: News Arab