5/10/2010 09:00
GE Smart Grid Technologies Could Transform
Ireland’s Energy Landscape
GE’s Bob Gilligan Outlines “Real. Smart. Solutions.” at Marine Energy and Smart Grid
Technology Workshop in Ireland
DUBLIN--Monday, May 10, 2010-- Today’s smart grid technologies can help Ireland’s ambitious plans to
increase renewable energy. This is the message Bob Gilligan, vice president—digital energy for GE
Energy Services (NYSE: GE), will deliver today to delegates at the Inter-Government conference, “Marine
Energy and Smart Grid Technology.”
“Electricity generation accounts for approximately 40% of greenhouse gas emissions, ranking it the top
single source of pollution,” Gilligan said. “With Ireland expecting a 60% increase in energy demand by
2025, action needs to be taken now to increase energy efficiency, control demand and add renewable
generation to the electrical grid.”
Gilligan’s address will outline the challenge; identify solutions and potential for sustainable energy
success by integrating a network of information-rich, flexible smart grid solutions with the current grid
infrastructure. Attendees will learn how GE’s Real. Smart. Solutions.™ already enable a host of countries
to benefit from improved efficiency and use of renewable and distributed generation such as wind and
solar, to lower carbon emissions and meet growing demand.
The invitation-only event, taking place in Dublin and Belfast on May 10-11, brings together more than 150
senior government officials, business leaders, as well as representatives from trade associations and
research institutions from the United States, Ireland and Northern Ireland. The goal: to explore new
business opportunities and develop collaborative projects to help address the energy challenges Ireland
faces. Offshore marine electricity generating devices and the application of state-of-the-art smart grid
management tools that can help integrate intermittent power onto—and throughout—the power system
are key to the discussion.
The Island of Ireland is seen by many as the perfect place to test and develop marine renewable energy.
It has extensive offshore marine territory and the island's coastline is among the best in the world for
offshore wind, wave and tidal resources. As a result, governments in both Northern Ireland and The
Republic of Ireland have ambitious plans to develop this resource into a significant cutting-edge industry
by the end of the next decade.
New GE technology breakthroughs are already supporting a similar initiative in Hawaii, helping increase
the use of wind and solar power on islands with no domestic source of fossil fuels.
“GE is committed to helping shrink the carbon footprint while increasing the energy capacity and reliability
that countries need to thrive,” Gilligan said. “We are already deploying solutions that are making a
difference today, and we have the resources to help plan and implement a healthier energy future.”
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 $37 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.