- GE Power Generation

coJen
GE Energy • Jenbacher gas engines • Issue 2/2008
J624
North America
Service
First 24-cylinder gas engine in operation at pilot customer site
Energy trends and solutions
Closer to customers thanks to new Global Service Organisation
02
Content
02
editorial CEO story
03
A focus on Service
product news
05
Full steam ahead with the first J624
08
Pilot customer with vision
09
Efficiency and power output of large gas engines
industry news
11
The keys to business success
13
Renewable energy – opportunity or challenge?
applications and solutions
15
The gas that comes from oil
18
Jenbacher gas engines powered by associated petroleum gas
boost Argentina’s energy supply
distributors and service providers
19
Do you speak Bengali?
21
Jenbachers shine light into the darkness
region special
23
North America‘s changing landscape
31
First North American greenhouse application
service
33
When the genset calls for the doctor
35
Tailored customer solutions
supply chain
37
Jenbacher goes China
personality story
39
An interview with Axel Dancker, Global Service Leader
41
feedback and masthead
home base
42
Long road to Jenbacher gas engines
editorial
coJen
Dear Customers
and Readers!
C
oJen has gone into the second round! Once
gas for energy production or renewable energy
again, our magazine for the worldwide Jenbacher
sources in general. In addition, in this issue you
gas engine community covers many areas of in-
will once again find an extensive article on our
terest to you. And, starting with this issue – which
latest engine – the first 24-cylinder gas engine in
includes a regional focus on North America – we
the world – which has in the meantime gone into
offer you greater insight into specific areas of the
operation for a pilot customer in the Netherlands.
gas engine and energy industries.
This issue also includes interesting contributions
We started this new section in part because of
by guest writers in the industry. For example,
the plentiful and extremely helpful feedback we
you will find a report on technical developments
received from you following the first issue of
in the field of efficiency improvements to gas
CoJen. Thank you to the many readers who took
and automotive engines. At the end of the
the time to fill out our survey. The proud winner
magazine, we invite you to pay a historic visit to
of an Apple iPod Touch is our customer Gerhard
Tyrol – the headquarters of the gas engine divi-
Aschauer from Bioenergie Kallham GmbH in
sion of GE Energy.
Austria. The soccer balls went to readers from
Germany, Austria, Great Britain, India and the U.S.
On behalf of the entire editorial team, I wish you
an enjoyable read and look forward once again
Your feedback has definitely encouraged us
to receiving your feedback.
to continue down this path. In addition to the
English and the German version of CoJen, we
will publish the region specials in the language
of the region being featured.
What awaits you in this issue of CoJen: First,
we introduce you to Orient Energy, one of our
international distributors. We also look at global
Martina Streiter
trends, such as the use of associated petroleum
Jenbacher Communications
02
CEO storyen
coJen
A Focus on
Service
GE Energy’s Jenbacher team is translating its dedication to innovation – demonstrated by continuous launches of world firsts in the gas engine industry for more
than 50 years now – into the Services arena. This focus on the Services business
will benefit Jenbacher engines customers around the globe. Not only can they refer
to GE’s expert Service personnel, they also can turn to the highly trained professionals from the more than 40 Jenbacher Service providers around the globe. I
n early 2008, GE’s Jenbacher gas engines division created a
dedicated business unit entirely focused on service offerings,
innovations, and worldwide coverage. “As our Jenbacher engine
fleet is growing and becoming more global, the importance of
continued world-class customer service from us and our Service
providers – who focus on smooth processes, strong expertise,
and global presence – is key to customer satisfaction,” says Prady
Iyyanki, Jenbacher gas engines CEO.
Building up Growth Structures. Coinciding with the new
approach in the organization, Axel Dancker was named Global
Service Leader for GE’s Jenbacher gas engines division. Dancker
has a proven track record of expanding businesses and building
up organizational structures in growing business environments.
Before joining GE, Dancker was highly focused on strategy and retail, as well as Service businesses in various German companies.
“With Axel’s strong expert background, experience and leadership,
and the great team we already have in place, I am excited about
the future of our Service business,” Iyyanki says. The key elements
of the business are strong customer focus, value added offerings,
local support and remote service capabilities around the world.
The key elements of the
Service business are
strong customer focus,
value added offerings, local support
and remote service capabilities
around the world.
03
JCEO story
coJen
“As our Jenbacher engine fleet is growing and becoming
more global, the importance of continued world-class
customer service is key to customer satisfaction.”
In addition to the emphasis on service capabilities, the Jenba-
24-cylinder J624 GS 4 MW Jenbacher engines are in full opera-
cher team’s goal is to reach out to customers globally and bring
tion for the first pilot customer in the Netherlands, powering the
tailored local solutions into new growth regions. This includes not
tomato growers’ greenhouses with electricity, heat and CO2 for
only the Service business, but also the packaging of the highly
plant fertilization. “It is great to see that innovation is supported
efficient gas engines to power generation units based on tailored
by our customers and that we grow as our customers grow.”
engineering solutions.
Iyyanki says.
Tailored Solutions – Worldwide. Having reached a critical
volume of gas engine orders in Asia, the Jenbacher team recognized the need to locate a new packaging facility in China to help
ensure prompt equipment delivery and tailored customer service
It is great to see
that innovation is supported by
our customers and that we grow
as our customers grow.
for projects throughout Asia, Iyyanki says. “We now operate three
manufacturing facilities with the main location in Austria, where
Pilot customer Royal Pride Holland already operates a total of 35
we develop and produce the core engine; a container packaging
MW in Jenbacher engines and now gratefully serves as a focal
facility in Hungary; and our new operation in Hangzhou.” The
point for plant visits from all over Europe to showcase and explain
global outreach is advantageous to customers since local service
the new product. The interest in the latest innovation from Jen-
capabilities are enhanced, especially when it comes to engine
bach is high, and more development highlights are expected that
overhauls that can be done in the new locations. In addition,
will excite the global gas engine community in the future._
the business plans to build up an additional service workshop
network. “We want to be where our customers are,” Iyyanki
says. “A top performance in terms of innovative, highly efficient
products combined with world-class service is key for a long-term
successful relationship.”
We want to be where our customers are.
The technological performance looks good in 2008 for GE’s gas
engine business. Since late September, the first two of the new
04
coJen
product news
Full steam ahead
with the first J624!
It was presented to the public in June 2007. Then came a year of testing at the production
location, followed by a successful evaluation. And in September 2008, it was finally ready: The
latest Jenbacher flagship, the first 24-cylinder gas engine J624, went into operation with pilot
customer Royal Pride Holland. Since then, the J624 has provided the Dutch greenhouse complex
with reliable electricity and heat – and it also supplies CO2 as a fertilizer for faster plant growth.
T
he J624 is the most important innovation de-
Dutch gardeners as pilot customer.
veloped in recent years by GE Energy’s Jenbacher
The natural next step was to supply the first two
gas engines product team with more than 50
J624 GS in early May 2008 to the tomato green-
years of experience in gas engine technology. In
houses of Royal Pride Holland in Middenmeer, 50
the most recent issue of CoJen, the then brand
kilometers north of Amsterdam. Here, the engines
new 24-cylinder gas engine and its impressive
run under conditions similar to those that will be
performance data were described as a quantum
found at the vast majority of future customers –
leap. Its capacity is also impressive: A single J624
an important prerequisite for a pilot customer.
with an output of 4 MW can cover the power
In September 2008, the engines, which run on
needs of about 9,000 European households.
natural gas, went into operation. Since then they
The successful first run and overload test on
have been complementing the nine Jenbacher
the test bench at the Jenbacher plant not only
JMS 620 units already installed there. This brings
excited employees again, it also meant the green
the total electrical output of the complex to
light for its use by the first pilot customer.
35.2 MW.
In the greenhouse of pioneers. The fact
that the energy-efficient, powerful engines from
Tyrol are performing so successfully in the Netherlands is no mere coincidence. When it comes to
using the trend-setting technology of combined
When it comes tousing
the trend-setting technology of
combined heat and power, the
Netherlands are an international
pioneer.
heat and power, this country is an international
05
pioneer. Dutch gardeners were also some of the
The power generated is used in part for lighting
first to use CO2 fertilization.
for the tomatoes, but most of it is fed into the
This long-term successful cooperation was a
public power grid. Since the waste heat from the
decisive factor in GE’s decision to locate its inter-
engines can be used at very low temperatures
national Center of Excellence for greenhouse
and the CO2 in its exhaust gas can also be used,
applications of Jenbacher gas engines at its
the overall level of efficiency lies at an extraordi-
Dutch branch.
nary 95%.
product news
coJen
Royal Pride Holland – an excess of
tomatoes. It all started back in the 1960s,
when Andre van den Ende established his own
company and cultivated tomatoes and cucumbers in rotation in an area of around 4,000 square
meters. With the area of 45 hectares it now
cultivates, and its currently ongoing expansion to
102 hectares, Royal Pride Holland today is one of
the largest operators of commercial greenhouses
in the Netherlands.
Flavor is written large. After growing
loose tomatoes for years, in the mid 1990s the
company switched to vine tomatoes, which are
more flavorful because they are ripened on the
vine. From “red pearl” cocktail tomatoes to “sweet
pearl” cherry tomatoes, the selection of tomato
varieties grown at Royal Pride Holland is primarily
a question of taste.
We are setting new standards for
the future with the J624 at our
Dutch pilot customer.
Pioneers in energy supply as well.
For Mark Geleijn, too, manager of the project department at the Jenbacher gas engines division
of GE Energy in the Netherlands, this commissioning was something exceptional: “I am delighted
that the first J624 engines were delivered to us
in the Netherlands. Apart from the special features of the engine itself – above all its modular
concept with a separate, vibration-decoupled
turbocharger group – this commissioning was
quite exceptional simply because this is the first
24-cylinder engine in the world.”
From the technical standpoint, the monitoring
program, which was more extensive than usual,
was a special feature of this commissioning: The
J624 was thoroughly examined for an entire
week. Apart from that, the commissioning was
routine for the experienced Jenbacher team.
“We are setting new standards for the future
with the J624 at our Dutch pilot customer,” Mark
Geleijn is absolutely certain of the importance of
this project.
What the future will bring ...
... a selective field launch of the J624. In the
coming year, the engine will go into series production, initially with a limited numbers of units. The
first order from Europe has already been landed.
But watch upcoming editions of CoJen for more
on this subject._
–> The Jenbacher J624 engines provide electricity, heat and CO2 as fertilizer for faster plant growth
06
coJen
product news
–> The first J624 engine was delivered in May 2008 to Royal Pride Holland
facts and figures
J624 – a quantum leap in gas engine technology
• Compact high-speed engine with
• About 11.6 meter long, 2 meter wide and 2.5 meter high • Total weight:
41 tons • Bore x stroke: 190 mm x 220 mm • Total displacement: 150 l • Fuel flexibility: natural gas or a variety of renewable or alternative
gases • Electrical output: 4 MW • Electrical efficiency: approximately 46% • Allows overall plant efficiencies of up to 95%
First 24-cylinder gas engine for commercial operation
1,500 rpm
07
•
•
Lean burn, turbocharged, mixture cooled gas engine
First fast-running gas engine in the 4 MW power range
product news
coJen
CoJen talks to Frank van Kleef, Royal Pride Holland:
Pilot customer
with vision
Frank van Kleef has been a partner in Royal Pride Holland for more than 10 years
and now runs the company together with founder Andre van den Ende and his sons
Bart and Koert.
CoJen: Mr. van Kleef, can you briefly tell us
What was the appeal to you in being a pilot
what your company is about?
customer for the new J624 GS?
Frank van Kleef: Royal Pride Holland stands for
We ourselves are always looking for ways to
tomatoes that not only taste superb. They are
make improvements and when possible support
grown using sustainable farming methods.
our associates with their related endeavours
The Dutch minister of agriculture, Gerda
– in this case, with the development of a gas
Verburg, named you – and company founder
engine with even better power generation
Andre van den Ende and his two sons Bart
capacity.
and Koert – “Agricultural Entrepreneurs of the
In your opinion, what are the advantages and
Year” this year. This tribute reflects less on
disadvantages of being a pilot customer?
the size and revenue of a company than on its
As a pilot customer for the J624 we are ahead
entrepreneurial vision and innovative power.
of later customers by one to two years. If
What does this award mean to you person-
unforeseen problems arise, that could be a
ally?
disadvantage. But as I know Jenbacher, I am not
It confirms that we are on the right track! Royal
particularly worried on that score.
Pride Holland is constantly investing a great
What do you see as the biggest challenges for
deal of money and energy in improvements
operators of greenhouses in the future – also
and, by doing so, demonstrates how improve-
outside the Netherlands?
ments can be achieved on the basis of forward-
Apart from high energy prices, securing supplies
looking action. The award shows that other
of food will certainly be a considerable chal-
people believe in the direction in which we have
lenge in the future. Cultivating the best, most
forged ahead.
flavorful tomatoes is just as important to Royal
What was the decisive factor in your decision
Pride Holland as it is to Jenbacher to achieve a
to use Jenbacher gas engines made by GE?
maximum of dependability and efficiency with
In our industry, Jenbacher is a name that rever-
their gas engines.
berates. The staff at Jenbacher back up their
products and know exactly what the best use
–>
FRANK VAN Kleef, Royal Pride Holland
for their engines is.
08
coJen
product news
A comparison to automotive engines:
Efficiency and Power Output
of Large Gas Engines
In addition to reliability, the power output and the efficiency of large gas engines are the
most important criteria considered when purchasing such an engine. Since fuel consumption
is directly linked to the emission of the greenhouse gas CO2, high efficiency is of tremendous
environmental relevance as well.
A story by Professor Andreas Wimmer and Professor Helmut Eichlseder,
Graz University of Technology
T
he efficiency of large gas engines has improved dramatically
However, Figure 1 also clearly shows that the slope of the curve
in recent years. This is illustrated by Figure 1, which shows the
of the mechanical efficiency has decreased. In other words, the
impressive development of the mechanical efficiency of Jen-
efficiency of gas engines is approaching the limit of what is theo-
bacher’s type 6 gas engines. For many years, the efficiency of gas
retically possible. Thus it will become more and more difficult to
engines was inferior to that of diesel engines. However, this gap
achieve further increases in efficiency, requiring the latest tech-
has now largely been closed, and gas engines offer the additional
nologies, such as two-stage turbocharging, cylinder pressure-
advantage of significantly lower emissions. The levels of efficiency
based engine control, and alternative ignition systems.
achieved today are almost twice as high as those of around 26%
described by Rudolf Diesel for his first self-igniting engine in the
year 1897.
Figure 1: Development in the efficiency of Jenbacher
gas engines
A number of measures were responsible for this remarkable
increase in efficiency. However, making engines less susceptible
%
to knocking and increasing the compression ratio were the most
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efficiency and the mechanical efficiency is attributable mainly to
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places very high demands on the turbocharging system, which
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decisive factors. The improvement in knocking behavior was
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losses due to imperfect combustion, heat transfer, gas exchange
09
and engine friction. It is important to note that many of these
Efficiency of automotive engines compared to large gas
losses have been significantly reduced. Along with increases in
engines. When we compare the efficiency of large gas engines
the compression ratio and in the air to fuel ratio, this reduction in
with that of automotive engines, as shown in Figure 2, we find
losses is of vital importance to achieving high efficiencies.
that the optimal efficiency (“best point”) decreases with the dimin-
product news
ishing size of the cylinder. This decrease is due to differences in
to electrify the propulsion system (hybridization), and to improve
engine technology as well as higher heat transfer losses caused
thermal management.
coJen
by the less favourable surface/volume ratio.
In addition, the actual operation of automotive engines differs
Power output of modern engines. As shown in Figure 4,
a comparison of various types of modern engines gives us an
insight into the behavior of the specific torque (BMEP). Large gas
Figure 2: Comparison of efficiencies
engines display very high values in BMEP, but have limited speeds
due to their size, resulting in limited specific output. All super-
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role in determining the relevant efficiency. The representative
average efficiency in the typical operating range (“representative
load point”) is significantly lower than the best point efficiency.
Figure 3 illustrates the efficiency of a middle-class passenger
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formance testing in Europe (NEDC), which begins with a cold start
and thus also takes engine warm-up into account.
Outlook. Further increases in both efficiency and output can
In contrast to large gas engines, automotive engines are mainly
be expected both for automotive engines and large gas engines.
However, the measures required to achieve these increases
will become more and more complex. Nevertheless, a further
Figure 3: Efficiency of a typical SI engine for passenger
cars and load points in driving cycle
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Andreas Wimmer
&
operated at part load, so it will therefore be essential to achieve
Head of the LEC (Large Engines Competence
Center) at the Graz University of Technology
Professor
further improvements in low-load and engine warm-up perfor-
Helmut Eichlseder
mance. Suitable approaches to future engine concepts would aim
Head of the Institute for Combustion Engines
to avoid throttle losses (fully variable valve drive, fuel stratified
and Thermodynamics at the Graz University of
injection), to shift load point by downsizing (with supercharging),
Technology
10
coJen
industry news
Customer orientation and innovation:
The keys to business
success
Customer orientation and innovation are longstanding pivotal corporate goals at GE Energy.
The VDMA (the German Engineering Federation), representing the largest association of capital
goods manufacturers in Europe, also subscribes to these goals.
A story by Thorsten Herdan, General Manager of VDMA Power Systems
T
he association has learned from its more than
energies. Involvement in important trade fairs,
100-year history that long-term success depends
such as the annual POWER-GEN Europe and
to a significant extent on the ability to keep on
BioEnergy Europe, scheduled November 11 to 14
meeting customers’ wishes with new, innovative
this year in Hanover, also serve this purpose. The
products. For an association – and indeed for any
assignment between bio-energy and decentral-
company – this means adapting the organiza-
ized energy supply will be a hot topic at this fair
tion’s structure to meet changing business
for the first time.
conditions. The VDMA has therefore focused its
product-specific work in the energy sector on the
Reorganization of supply networks
Power Systems trade association. At the invitation
into more decentralized energy supply.
of GE, this year’s general meeting of VDMA Power
A new topic is the modification of grid access
Systems took place June 12 to 13 this year at the
conditions for parallel operation of power gener-
Jenbacher gas engines headquarter in Austria.
ating plants to the electricity grid. This is already
A fundamental topic at the meeting, which was
being discussed in several European countries.
attended by some 40 CEOs of major European
Caused by blackouts in the past years, this will
engine and turbine manufacturers and their sup-
necessitate extensive changes. The reorganiza-
pliers, was determining the key areas of work for
tion of supply networks to a more decentralized
the next few years.
energy supply is a key issue. By coordinating
the activities of manufacturers, operators and
Challenges … and joint solutions.
their associations, the goal will be to achieve a
The energy policy situation was a key concern.
fair compromise between the requirements of
In the final analysis, predictable and reliable
generating plants and the networks.
parameters are the requirements for investors
11
in successful transactions. A central task of the
Enabling innovation. In addition to cus-
association and its members will continue to be
tomer orientation, the topic of innovation rep-
the “voice of the manufacturers” in discussions
resents a second core area of association work.
on energy policy, such as legislation discussions
The VDMA has been involved for more than 40
for increasing the percentage of renewable
years in joint industrial research on combustion
industry news
coJen
“Manufacturers must get more involved in
political debate to ensure that their specific
interests are heard.”
Thorsten Herdan, VDMA Power Systems
engines in Germany, and in recent years has
expanded this activity to Europe. This establishes
important prerequisites for the operation of
cogeneration plants.
Another important area where the association’s
work supports companies in their development
activities is exhaust emission legislation and
standardization. The VDMA monitors European
and international exhaust emission legislation,
Who is the VDMA?
together with the secretariat of the European
internal combustion engine association EURO-
·The largest association of capital goods
MOT, which is hosted at VDMA. A brochure with
manufacturers in Europe
information on worldwide exhaust emission limit
·More than 3,000 member companies,
can be downloaded at www.vdma.org/engines.
organized in more than 40 trade associations
The common goal is lower emission aggregates
·350 employees with offices in Frankfurt,
that are nevertheless economic and at the same
time highly efficient. Technical innovation, such
Brussels and major business arenas, such as
Beijing, New Delhi and Moscow
as the Jenbacher cl.air® system, are closely tied
· Cooperation and hosting for a number of
to these legal regulations.
expert councils and European industry
associations
The success of associations relies on the contributions from the work of member companies
who see the benefits and opportunities of joint
For further information, visit:
involvement and play an active part in coordi-
· www.vdma.org
· www.bioenergy-europe.com
· www.powergeneurope.com
· www.euromot.org
nating it. Customer benefit, industry growth and
business success are the ultimate result of these
joint efforts._
–> Thorsten Herdan, VDMA Power Systems
12
coJen
industry news
Renewable energy –
opportunity or challenge?
Increasing energy consumption, the shortage of fossil fuel, rising awareness of sustainability
and emancipation of the customers set new energy business trends in both conventional and
renewable technologies. To succeed in this changing environment, companies must act.
A.T. Kearney takes a look at the future of power generation and its implications for utilities,
operators and service providers.
A story by Jochen Hauff, A.T. Kearney
R
enewable energy – boom, bubble, bust?
Renewable energies feature daily in the press
ing from 5 to 8% and an invest volume up to
3 Indicates a paradigm shift on the demand side
650 billion Euros for the European Union alone.
motivated by rising energy costs and ecological
awareness. Buyers are keen on participating in
covering the growth stories of wind, solar,
biomass, etc. This is not new. In the early 80s,
The future energy portfolio. At present,
the electricity offer via demand side power
the U.S. experienced a similar boom with wind
renewable energy cannot be considered a full
control and generation, thus pushing decentra-
and photovoltaic energy and annual capacity
substitute for conventional energy production.
lized power generation via top-roof solar or
increases were up to 78%. This trend was short-
Two-thirds of the future energy demand will be
biogas applications for instance.
lived and highly dependent on politics, ending
met by gas and coal. Therefore, an environmen-
with a standstill in capacity additions already in
tally and economically sound energy supply
4 Shows an increasing demand for decentra-
the second half of the decade. The high sensitiv-
requires investments in both conventional and
lized but conventional systems such as CHP
ity to political support is still true today, provok-
complementary renewable energy sources. All
building on scalability, an increased efficiency
ing the question, of whether today’s boom will
types of technologies should be considered to
for combined electricity and heat generation
meet the same fate.
best fit local conditions ranging from centralized
and blackout prevention in emerging and
Yet, significant differences to the 80s exist,
to decentralized generation and its combina-
established segments.
promising a sustainable business. First of all,
tions managed by intelligent grids.
The increasing demand of decentralized power
the globally exploding energy consumption,
doubling by 2030 and equalling to a demand
Four migration trends are foreseen to make up
generation and renewable energy sources impli-
of 5,000 large power plants for new builds and
the future energy portfolio (see Figure):
cates structural changes for utilities, operators
and service providers.
replacements, cannot be covered by conventional power sources alone – in particular due
1 Addresses demand for energy efficiency of
to the need to reduce overall CO2 emissions.
conventional power plants with new techno-
Also increasing customer awareness is pushing
logies such as IGCC (Integrated Gasification
“greener” energy out of its niche toward a mass
Combined Cycle).
phenomenon, similar to one seen with organic
13
Increasing customer
awareness
is pushing “greener” energy
out of its niche.
food. Considering the decreasing cost advantage
2 Illustrates a migration into renewable energy of conventional energiy sources, renewable
sources by leveraging the established generation Strategic implications. Timely positioning
energy today is an attractive, emerging business
and distribution patterns “to become greener”
of future supply strategies and business models
segment, with an expected annual growth rang-
e.g. via offshore wind parks or PV solar farms.
are key to tapping customer demand and addi-
industry news
ties. The same is valid for regional grid opera-
environment implicates new opportunities, as
tors, whose margins get under pressure due to
well as considerable challenges on plant and
alternative supply options on the demand side. A
grid level.
connection of decentralized units via smart grids
opens new opportunities for customers to trade
New players. Attractive business potential of
their spare capacity, which could be leveraged by
renewable energy either pulls new players into
grid operators to build virtual power plants.
New energy portfolio
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tional business opportunities. The new business
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 the segment or reinforces competitive positionstance, construction companies integrate forward
into the operation of power plants like Acciona
or oil and gas companies diversify their portfolio
Attractive business potential
of renewable energy
pulls new players into
the segment.
like BP in solar. Similarly, new players emerge in
the area of decentralized generation, such as
In consequence, traditional supply and demand
manufacturers of small heating systems such
patterns of electrical energy will change. Cen-
as Vaillant or gas providers. The entry of new
tralized and decentralized renewable energy
players thus forces incumbents to reconsider
sources will supplement conventional ones and
their strategy as can be seen in the examples of
change the way energy is distributed within the
Iberdrola or EdP.
existing and future grids._
Occurrence of new business models.
The current business models of integrated utilities
R^]eT]cX^]P[
ing of incumbents. For central generation, for in-
coJen
#
RT]caP[
STRT]caP[XiTS
Author
or grid operators are challenged by decentralized
models, which build on efficiency and independency. Integrated utilities should re-evaluate their
jochen hauff
value chain in centralized generation, transmis-
Global Sustainability Program
sion, distribution, trade and sales and eventually
Manager & Expert A.T. Kearney
supplement decentralized generation opportuni-
GmbH
14
coJen
applications and solutions
Associated petroleum gas as an economical and
ecological source of energy:
The gas that
comes from oil
For many years now, companies extracting mineral oil have barely made use of the associated gas obtained in
the process, usually flaring it off as an uneconomical byproduct. However, rising raw material prices coupled
with increasingly stringent environmental regulations put growing importance to once uneconomical flare gas
as a new source of energy for power generation. Specially modified Jenbacher gas engines offer an optimal
means of utilizing associated petroleum gas economically, and at the same time have a positive impact on the
environment.
A
ssociated petroleum gas, a byproduct in the
meters of associated gas – equivalent to the
mineral oil industry, may be found either dissolved
emission of about 400 million tonnes of CO2 –
in crude oil, or as a cap of free gas above the oil
are disposed of in this manner world-wide. This
field. With about 120 cubic meters of gas obtained
is roughly equivalent to the volume of emission
from every tonne of crude extracted, associated
reduction measures currently agreed upon in
gas accounts for about 10% of the total amount
the Kyoto Protocol.
extracted from oil wells.
Regardless of how it occurs, associated petroleum
gas is not highly pure methane gas, but a mixed gas
of varying quality. As a rule, this mixture consists of
various hydrocarbons – including methane, ethane,
propane and butane – as well as small quantities of
Every year some 400 million
tonnes of CO2 emissions
enter the atmosphere
as a result of flaring off
associated petroleum gas.
carbon dioxide (CO2), and in some cases hydrogen
sulfide (H2S). The composition of the gas varies
Over the years, many different methods of
greatly from one region and country to another.
achieving increased economic utilization of
For instance, the proportion of CO2 in some South
associated petroleum gas have been pushed. A
American oil fields can be as much as 50%, severely
significant amount of the gas obtained is gener-
affecting the combustibility of the gas.
ally pumped straight back into the oil well to
ensure a constant extraction pressure. After suit-
Quickly disposed of, but without economic
able purification, the remaining quantity of gas
benefit. Due to the comparatively poor quality
can be fed into an existing natural gas network.
of the gas and the required treatment process to
Alternatively, individual gases may be selectively
further utilize it, for decades associated petroleum
purified for subsequent industrial processing.
gas was regarded as an uneconomical byproduct
Finally, using the energy contained in associated
of significantly more profitable mineral oil. The
petroleum gas to meet local electricity require-
byname “flare gas” is derived from a method
ments is a comparatively new field of application.
frequently used to dispose of it – flaring it off. It is
estimated that each year at least 150 billion cubic
15
>
applications and solutions
coJen
Im Vergleich zur reinen Grubenentlüftung vermindert
die Nutzung von Grubengas mit Gasmotoren die
Methanemissionen um 85% CO2-Äquivalent.
–> Usable energy literally dissolves into thin air
16
coJen
applications and solutions
> Power generation from associated
possible value-added if the energy contained
petroleum gas. GE has many years of experi-
in this gas is fully utilized is even clearer in the
ence in the purification and utilization of a wide
light of a simple example. The quantity of as-
range of special gases – including associated
sociated petroleum gas flared off each year is
petroleum gas – obtained as a result of industrial
roughly equivalent to the combined annual gas
and combustion processes. The first plants using
consumption of the two industrialized nations
this gas for power generation were installed
France and Germany – a quantity of gas large
in Germany and Italy in the mid 1990s. Today
enough to supply the entire world with natural
there are more than 270 modified Jenbacher
gas for a period of 20 days!
gas engines of the types J320, J420 and J620
It is therefore hardly surprising that both
installed worldwide with an electrical output of
companies and governments are increasingly
about 400 MW.
attempting to make productive use of associated petroleum gas, joining ranks to form Global
From an economic point of view,
flaring off is an extremely
questionable means
of disposal, as potentially
usable energy literally dissolves
into thin air.
Gas Flaring Reduction (GGFR), a private interest
group, whose objective is to reduce flaring
off as a means of disposing of flare gas. More
and more countries are introducing high fines
for flaring off associated gas, and flaring off is
already completely forbidden in several.
“Apart from Russia, Argentina is currently the
High efficiency spells maximum usability.
country with the highest growth potential for
For Thomas Elsenbruch, Jenbacher Marketing
us,” said Thomas Elsenbruch. “Government
Program Manager with GE, the advantages of
regulations mean that using associated gas as a
combusting associated petroleum gas in gas
source of energy is already law. Such measures
engines are obvious: “The combustion of flare
coupled with the high efficiency that we can
gas makes extremely high demands on engine
achieve with our engines are a powerful sales
control technology due to the fluctuating com-
argument for our customers.”
position of the gas. LEANOX, our internationally
patented lean gas combustion control system,
ensures the right air-gas mixture in the engine –
even under difficult conditions – thus ensuring a
constant combustion process even when gases
with very low knock resistance are used.”
The quantity of associated
petroleum gas flared off each
year is roughly equivalent
to the combined annual gas
consumption of
France and Germany.
When the streets are paved with gold.
Flaring off is naturally a particularly popular
Added to this is the fact that the Jenbacher
method of disposing of associated gas in coun-
team in Argentina has a long-standing coopera-
tries with minor environmental regulations and
tion in place with Industrias Juan F. Secco, a cus-
low-priced raw materials. In fact, ten countries
tomer, which itself already operates 20 modified
are responsible for 75% of flare gas emissions
Jenbacher type J420 gensets for the efficient
worldwide, including Nigeria, Russia, the Arabian
utilization of flare gas. _
Peninsula and several South American countries.
As a result of rising energy prices and restrictive
environmental policies world-wide, the economic utilization of associated petroleum gas is
gaining in importance even in such countries.
From an economic point of view, flaring off is
an extremely questionable means of disposal,
as potentially usable energy literally dissolves
into thin air, causing additional emissions at the
same time. According to estimates by the World
17
Bank, the total volume of associated gas flared
Further information may be obtained from:
off every year is equivalent to a monetary value
www.gejenbacher.com
of U.S. Dollar 30.6 billion at current rates. The
www.worldbank.org/ggfr
applications and solutions
coJen
Jenbacher gas engines powered by
associated petroleum gas boost
Argentina’s energy supply
For many years now, the Jenbacher team has maintained a close and successful
business relationship with the Argentinean industrial equipment provider Industrias
Juan F. Secco. This long-standing customer operates a number of power stations in
Argentina generating electricity from many different types of natural gas. In recent
years, GE Energy delivered a total of 47 Jenbacher new gas engines to Argentina,
making Industrias Juan F. Secco one of the company‘s largest customers in South
America. Gas engines from Jenbach were once again selected even for the demanding
A
application of associated petroleum gas utilization.
t the end of last year, Industrias Juan F. Secco
The plant was supplied and installed by the
placed an order for 20 natural gas powered gen-
Jenbacher team in February 2008. At the same
sets with an electricity generation capacity of
time, in the first quarter of 2008, Argentinean
30 MW. The engines will be fueled by untreated
staff from Industrias Juan F. Secco received op-
associated gas from the oil and gas fields there,
timal training in the operation of Jenbacher gas
and will provide a reliable electricity supply for a
engines at the Training Center at the company’s
region of southwestern Argentina currently suf-
headquarters in Jenbach. In the mean time all
fering from an energy shortage. Finally, since all
20 J420 GS gas engines are in normal operation,
units will be operated grid-parallel and indepen-
achieving an electrical efficiency of nearly 42%.
dently as container solutions, the reliability of the
This has been to the great satisfaction of the
engines under difficult field conditions was the
customer and the local people of a region that
decisive reason for purchasing gas engines from
now has a dependable electricity supply for the
Jenbach.
future._
“In Argentina associated gas generally contains
a very high proportion of CO2. This makes the
combustion process in the engine particularly difficult. Since we cannot carry out any
purification of the gas prior to combustion, this
makes tremendous demands of both engine
and control technology,” explains Jose Alverez,
Sales Manager for Industrias Juan F. Secco. “ The
Jenbacher team at GE has many years of sound
experience in the utilization of low calorific value
special gases. Apart from their proven quality
and our positive experience from previous business deals, it was above all this expertise that
–> El Huemul, Santa Cruz, Argentina
made us choose Jenbacher gas engines.”
18
coJen
distributors and service providers
Do you speak Bengali?
GE Energy’s Jenbacher team understands what its customers want – in almost sixty different
countries. With 58 local Jenbacher sales and service providers around the globe, cross-border
communication is not a problem. Bangladesh is one example: Orient Energy Systems was the
most successful Jenbacher sales and service provider in 2004-2006. Top-quality products
from Austria, professional support locally, and expertise from two continents – all this allows
customer-oriented energy systems to be truly tailored to the customer needs.
W
hile other companies might have etiquette
Austria. Orient takes care of support and project
problems in such areas as religion, customs and
execution locally. The 7,000 or so kilometers as
language, Orient Energy Systems is completely
the crow flies from Jenbach to Bangladesh are
embedded in South Asia’s every day life. And, the
effortlessly bridged, and fast service is ensured.
company is completely familiar with countryspecific challenges: How do you secure a
FROM A-Z focused on customers. Orient
foundation in alluvial lowlands? What do you
has more than 1,200 qualified and experienced
do when gas connections are limited? The ex-
employees working for its customers. In addition
perienced Jenbacher sales and service provider
to sales and support for Jenbacher gas engines,
knows how things need to be done.
Orient offers its customers full service – from
consulting and engineering to comprehensive
THE FIRST STEP IS DYNAMIC. “Innovative con-
project management, including delivery, installa-
cepts and the latest technologies for cost-effec-
tion and commissioning, as well as documenta-
tive, reliable energy supply.” With this slogan and
tion. And after that, Orient offers 24/7 service
tons of motivation, Orient Energy Systems set
around the clock. The success validates the
off on the path to success in 1996. In 2005, the
concept. Orient’s customers include industrial
company expanded its distribution area and is
groups as well as independent power producers
now also on the fast track in Bangladesh.
(IPP). The government called upon the IPPs to
become involved in 1996, with its private sector
Orient Energy Systems is
one of the leading
energy suppliers in
Bangladesh.
generation policy. Since then, some 1,290 MW of
new capacity have been created. Today, the IPPs
produce around 38% of all the country’s energy.
For the Jenbacher gas engine division of GE and
Orient, all this means an abundance of great op-
TWO CONTINENTS CLOSE RANKS. GE’s Jenbacher
portunities. And so the motto for the duo for the
team and Orient have now been working together
future continues to be “full steam ahead.” _
for more than a decade. The high quality engines
and gensets between 0.25 to 4 MW come from
19
distributors and service providers
coJen
A strong team on the
way to the top
The Himalayas are not enough. Orient Energy
Systems and the Jenbacher gas engine division of GE Energy are constantly conquering
new heights with a stream of new achievements. Anwar ul Hasan, director at Orient
Energy Systems, is extremely pleased with the
cooperation.
CoJen: What makes collaboration with
GE Energy’s Jenbacher gas engines business
different?
Anwar ul Hasan: The basis for all cooperation
is trust. Only when you can rely on each other
can you achieve trouble-free interaction; it is this
that allows us to consistently reach ambitious
goals with the Jenbacher team .
What significance does this cooperation have
for you?
This cooperation is an important factor in our
good performance in our target regions. The
products meet the customer’s requirements
exactly. And the teamwork, which is outstanding at all levels, is evident from our considerable
success.
What joint goals have you set?
Unequivocally: to further expand the position of
GE Energy’s Jenbacher gas engines business
as one of the world’s leading companies in the
gas engine sector. At the same time, we wish
to provide the best possible cost-efficiency for
our customers and lucrative returns for our
shareholders.
facts & figures
Company founded in:
Cooperation with Jenbacher:
Activities in Bangladesh:
Employees:
1996
since 1998
since 2005
more than 1.200
–> Wanted: Innovative and cost-effective solutions for reliable power supply
20
coJen
distributors and service providers
New energy for Bangladesh:
Jenbachers shine light
into the darkness
When evening falls in Bangladesh, many houses remain dark. More than 60% of inhabitants are
not connected to the national grid. For the rest, the normal state of affairs is blackouts lasting
hours due to an obsolete grid and inefficient equipment. The prospects for the capital and center
of industry, Dhaka, are bleak, even though it has top priority in energy supplies. It is therefore no
wonder that Bangladesh is looking at a different course: Decentralized energy supply is extremely
popular at present.
B
angladesh is one of the world’s three largest
segments for gas engines. And GE’s Jenbacher
products are extremely popular. They offer the
best efficiency and reliability, and in view of the
Largest gas engine order ever:
GE Energy is delivering 32 gensets
with an output of 92.8 MW
to Bangladesh.
huge natural gas reserves in the region, they are
effectively the most logical option.
POWER ON. INDUSTRY FLIPS THE SWITCH.
Jenbacher systems have also already proved
More than a hundred Jenbacher
engines with a total output of
more than 100 MW are already in
operation in Bangladesh.
their worth in industry. Ambitious production
goals can be achieved with lower operating
costs and the company’s competitiveness further
expanded. Clients include the textile industry,
the foodstuffs and beverage industry, and the
BENGALI TIGER IN THE TANK. One record is top-
ceramics and steel industry. With Jenbacher gas
ped by another. In December 2007, Orient Energy
engines, Orient and GE together are enabling
and GE Energy won an impressive contract from
steady progress by providing reliable energy in a
the IPP Doreen Power, a private sector organiza-
country with unreliable power supply._
tion. Twenty-eight gensets with an output of
81 MW were immediately ordered for one of
Sources
Bangladesh’s most important power generation
responsible for reforming the state energy sector.
· www.orient-power.com
·Technical Assistance Report “People’s
In June 2008, this record was once again topped.
Republic of Bangladesh: Tendering Process
Thirty-two Jenbacher gensets powered by natural
for Independent Power Producer Plants,” July
gas are being delivered this year to the indepen-
2007 – online at: www.adb.org/Documents/
initiatives by Power Cell, the government agency
dent power producer Shahjibazar Power Co Ltd.
TARs/BAN/41125-BAN-TAR.pdf
The plant, about 140 km north of Dhaka, will
· “New Energy, the Magazine for Renewable
provide power to the rural area with a power
Energy” – online at: www.neueenergie.net
output of 92.8 MW.
21
distributors and service providers
coJen
GE is enabling steady progress by
providing reliable energy in a country
with an unreliable power supply.
–> More than 60% of the inhabitants in Bangladesh are not connected to the national grid
22
coJen
region special
North America‘s
changing
landscape
23
Edmonton
Ontario
Butler
Philadelphia
Salt Lake City
Brea
Oklahoma City
Charlotte
region special
coJen
Jenbacher Sales & Service
providers in North America
Western Energy Systems
499 Nibus St., Brea, CA 92821,
Phone: 714 529 9700
Smith Power Products
3065 West California Ave.,
Salt Lake City, UT 84014,
Phone: 801-415-5000
Waterous Power Systems
10025 – 51 Avenue, Edmonton,
Alberta T6E 0A8,
Phone: 780 437 8200
Inland Energy Services
13015 W. Custer Ave., Butler,
WI 53007,
Phone: 262-781-7100
Northeast Energy Systems
86 Finnell Drive, Units 13 and 14,
Weymouth, MA 02188,
Phone: 978 692 2808
Nixon Energy Solutions
5038 Thoroghbred Lane,
Brentwood, TN 37027,
Phone: 615 309 5823
DDACE Power Systems
1 Moyal Court, Concord, Ontario
L4K 4R8,
Phone: 416 804 2203
For additional information please contact jenbacher.us@ge.com
24
coJen
region special
Meeting energy needs with long-term power generation solutions
North America‘s
changing landscape
Although it only houses 5% of the world’s population, the U.S. consumes a quarter of the energy
used around the globe. And, says the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the country’s
electricity demand in 2030 will be 25% greater than it is today. Still, consumption per capita has
decreased by about 1% in each of the past four years – mostly due to efficiency increases. As
Americans change out their incandescent light bulbs for compact fluorescent and LED bulbs,
their demands to “go green” are encouraging the industry.
A
nd the industry is listening. As fuel costs continue to rise,
Throughout most of Canadian history, the electricity system has
however, power producers – who have long worked to insulate
been almost entirely publicly owned, controlled and regulated
their customers from such changes – have been forced to pass
through each province. But between now and 2020, 15,000 to
the increased fuel costs on to consumers. The largest price
20,000 MW of generating capacity needs to be refurbished, rebuilt,
escalation over the past year occurred in the state of Maryland,
replaced or conserved in Ontario alone and, Energy Minister Dwight
where industrial customers of Baltimore Gas & Electric Co. saw an
Duncan declared in 2004, “All new generation will be private.”
increase of 18.5% in their electricity costs, Reuters news service
Significant growth is predicted from wind power in the next decade
reported in May. Commonwealth Edison in Illinois was close be-
even as 7,000 MW of coal-fired generation will be shut down.
hind at 18.4%, and customers of Reliant Energy out of Texas saw
Ontario, for instance, now has a structured tariff system for renew-
a 17% increase.
ables, while British Columbia has created a carbon tax and man-
In addition to rising costs, companies recognize that electricity gen-
dated that no new power generation will come from fossil fuels.
eration today accounts for nearly 40% of U.S. CO2 emissions. “We
are seeing an increased emphasis on long-term solutions among
the larger industrial companies,” says Roger George, Senior Strategic Marketing Program Leader for GE Energy. “Programs around
efficiency, alternate energy, reduction in water consumption, and
reduction in fossil fuel use have gained momentum.”
Programs around efficiency,
alternate energy,
reduction in water consumption,
and reduction in fossil fuel use
have gained momentum.
Power Generation Changing in Canada, Too. Also ex-
So Just Where Will the Energy Come From? The change
periencing a changing energy landscape is Canada, one of the
in thinking by mainstream America places a burden on the more
world’s largest producers and exporters of energy, the Energy
traditional generating portfolio to further invest in technology.
Information Administration reports. In 2005, Canada produced
Coal and nuclear power, which made up nearly 68% of U.S. elec-
19.1 quadrillion British Thermal Units (Btu) of total energy, the
tricity generation in 2007, are industries that will undergo much
fifth largest amount in the world. Since 1980, Canada’s total
scrutiny in the coming years.
energy production has increased by 86%, while its total energy
25
consumption increased by only 48% during that period. Almost all
Coal. According to government forecasts, the United States will
of Canada’s energy exports go to the U.S., making it the largest
need about 260,000 MW of new generating capacity by 2030.
foreign source of U.S. energy imports.
Coal likely will continue as the dominant fuel over the
>
region special
coJen
As fuel costs continue to rise, power producers have been
forced to pass the increased costs on to consumers.
–> The U.S. consumes a quarter of the energy used around the globe
26
coJen
region special
GE Energy offers a wide variety of
renewable energy solutions.
> next decade, and the coal industry received a major boost in
choice. The lowest risk option to address current issues, natural
2004 when then-new technology appeared to provide a cost-
gas was the subject of a number of presentations at the recent
effective and more environmentally friendly generation option.
CERA annual meeting. Concerns over the security of the gas sup-
But today, the uncertainty of CO2 regulations is preventing bold
ply and related economics were discussed, Liquefied Natural Gas
decisions about investment in new technologies, and until the coal
(LNG) was viewed as having a positive impact in all regions, and
industry can overcome the public’s concerns about global warming
gas was viewed as the fuel of choice for power plant builds.
and health issues, many coal projects have not left the planning
Still, as natural gas prices remain high, and will likely go higher,
stages. Still, the Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA) pre-
technologies that initially were not considered economically vi-
dicts that investment in Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS)
able are suddenly becoming excellent options. In 2007, renewable
will lead to full commercial availability within the next decade.
sources are seeing widespread support.
Nuclear. Although there have been no new orders in the U.S.
for a nuclear plant since the 1970s, 17 companies over the past
year have submitted or plan to submit applications for licenses to
In the short term, natural gas as
the lowest risk option will continue to be
the energy source of choice.
construct and operate as many as 31 new plants. Driving this renewed interest is the strong performance of the existing fleet, the
Solar. One renewable option, solar power, is having a banner
need for additional baseload generating capacity, concerns about
year. Faced with the loss of subsidies at year’s end, there has
global warming and increased public and political support.
been a “last-minute stampede” for solar projects, the Wall Street
Del Williamson, an energy consultant and expert who serves on a
Journal reported earlier this year.
variety of energy boards of directors, says companies are focused
on adding new plants and making the current nuclear plants run
Biomass. Another area of interest is biomass – plant matter, such
longer. In a best-case scenario, it will be 10 years before a new
as trees, agricultural waste, grass, crops or other materials, that
nuclear plant comes online. The Nuclear Energy Institute predicts –
can be used as a solid fuel or converted into liquid or gaseous
at best – four to eight new plants in commercial operation by 2016.
forms to produce heat and electricity. Although regulations
pertaining to biomass are complex, varying from region to region,
27
Solutions for More Immediate Results. While coal and
companies are still able to target specific areas in the U.S. for
nuclear power likely will be long-term U.S. energy sources, in the
this fuel source. “These regulations are very fragmented, varying
short term, natural gas will continue to be the energy source of
dramatically from state to state,” says Roger George of GE Energy.
coJen
region special
capabilities. The greater efficiencies resulting from smart grid
technologies offer the potential for significant productivity gains
that can help improve service, control costs and increase reliability. Fundamentally, the goal here is to link the consumer to
the optimization of the grid. In addition, the smart grid is able to
integrate and maximize utilization of alternative energy sources
such as wind and solar, as well as biomass-powered gas engines.
What’s Next? While the U.S. examines a variety of energy
options, analysts recommend that the country incorporate
variety into its formula. Last year’s PRISM MERGE analysis by
the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) provides a roadmap
for the technologies to be deployed to slow, stop and reverse
CO2 emissions in the U.S. “In short form, EPRI’s PRISM makes the
case that all electricity options are needed for a more secure
and cost-effective energy future,” consultant Williamson says.
“In assessing future options, we must place the highest premium
on the economic viability of each option and not on its political
attractiveness.”
Roger George agrees: “In the short run, our country must revisit
solutions that were considered unattractive such as distributed
generation, cogeneration, biomass-derived power, and solar, for
higher efficiencies, lower costs, and better carbon footprints.
It’s not just one area. It’s a multitude of areas that will bring us
climate and energy security.”
“Some offer loan guaranties, while others offer tariffs, or even
More Solutions from the Jenbacher Product Line.
capital grants. This adds a level of complexity that often delays the
Although the base technologies of coal and nuclear power are in
execution of biomass-derived projects.”
the forefront of North American energy agendas, several other
trends – some already proven in Europe – are electrifying the
Wind. Although wind power meets just 1% of U.S. energy de-
industry as they lower greenhouse gas emissions and waste
mand, Americans are seeing an upsurge in wind projects. While a
products. One such trend is gas engine technology, which suc-
federal incentive for wind energy in the form of a tax break is set
cessfully encompasses a variety of gases at GE Energy plants
to expire at the end of this year, analysts differ about the impact
across North America:
the loss of the Production Tax Credit would have on the wind industry. The reason: In the past four years, 58% of U.S. states have
Biogas. Since April 2006, a Jenbacher cogeneration plant has
adopted formal Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) – targets
been generating power and heat at an 1,100 cow dairy farm in
for renewable power that are made into a legal obligation – and
Wisconsin, fueled by biogas from cow manure digestion. The elec-
another 8% have an informal target in place. The result is that
tricity generated by the manure digester plant is delivered into the
63% of the U.S. installed capacity now sits in a state with an RPS
grid and can power approximately 600 area homes. The thermal
or target.
output produced by the Jenbacher engine is delivered through
An increase in wind projects could affect the U.S. power grid. The
heat exchangers and is used to support the manure digestion
average age of U.S. transformers is just under 40 years, and if the
process. Even the separated, digested solids are used – as animal
wind industry expands rapidly, the transmission sector will need
bedding – replacing sawdust, woodchips and sand. GE Energy’s
to be upgraded, adding to the already rising cost of power.
biogas projects in North America don’t end there, either. GE is
As the power grid reaches its capacity limits, however, opportuni-
the sole supplier of generator systems for Cargill Environmental
ties are provided for both cogeneration and distributed genera-
Finance, which is developing several biofactories in the U.S. While
tion. Both solutions will work well in areas of grid congestion or in
methane from animal waste accounts for 7% of all methane con-
places that are farther away from the grid itself.
tributing toward greenhouse gases in the U.S., and animal waste
is increasingly posing ground water contamination issues as well,
Demand Side Management and Grid Reliability.
the move to convert animal waste to power through anaerobic
Government, business, consumer and environmental interests
digestion has had a slow start. Fragmentation across the value
are collaborating on a critical new infrastructure that will meet
chain, lack of technology leaders and low power prices have stalled
increasing demand for energy, cost control, and next-generation
the progress of this segment. With the milestone partnership
>
28
coJen
region special
> between Cargill Environmental Finance and GE
Energy, farmers now may turn to a reliable source
to take care of their animal waste.
Sewage Gas. Biogas can be produced by the
digestion and incineration of sewage sludge. The
Renewable Energy Association believes biogas
has an important role to play in the reduction
of greenhouse gases since it has no net carbon
emissions. The anaerobic digestion of sewage
sludge involves fermenting it in tanks for nearly
a month. A combined heat and power unit keeps
the temperature in the digestion tank constant.
Jenbacher engines are already using sewage
gas to produce electricity in Europe.
Landfill gas. The Ox Mountain landfill in
Halfmoon Bay, Califorina, will soon be a showcase for landfill gas technology. Both the power
generation equipment and patented gas cleaning technology, already applied successfully in
Germany, Austria and the U.S., will provide a
total gross generating capacity of 11,484 kW
produced by six JGS 616 Jenbacher units.
Landfill gas for power generation has been used
for more than a decade, but the use of such gas
has become more challenging in recent years
because of an increase in contaminants in the
gas. These contaminants can cause severe
damage to engine components, depositing crystalline silica, which is formed as a by-product
of combustion. To address this issue, GE Energy
has developed a gas-pretreatment system with
automatic regeneration that reduces contaminants. The Thermal Swing Adsorber (TSA) avoids
engine damage, increases engine availability,
improves oil and spark plug life, and reduces
increasing and drifting of NOx and CO emissions
by the silica deposits.
greenhouse application. Soave Hydroponics
of Ontario, Canada, is the first company in North
America to use Jenbacher greenhouse technology to help deal with the rising costs of fossil
fuels and to improve its overall energy efficiency.
And, the greenhouse cogeneration system is
modular – meaning all projects needn’t be of the
large scope of the Soave Hydroponics system
(read more on page 31). The system is a good fit
for smaller greenhouses, or several greenhouses
can work together to utilize a single power plant._
–> As the power grid reaches its capacity limits there are new opportunities for distributed generation
29
region special
coJen
facts & figures
·In the U.S., the electric power industry‘s total
installed generating capacity was 1,089,807 MW
as of Dec. 31, 2007 – a 1.3% increase from
2006.
·Total U.S. electricity generation was
4,159,514 GW-hours – a 2.3% increase from
2006.
· 48.6% of U.S. electricity in 2007 was genera-
ted by coal. The rest: nuclear energy 19.14%,
natural gas 21.5%; hydropower 5.8%; fuel oil
1.6%; other renewable resources, including
geothermal, solar and wind, 2.5%.
·The electric power sector has cut emissions
associated with acid rain, ozone and fine
particulate matter – sulfur dioxide and nitro gen oxides – by about 50% since 1980.
·Through Climate Challenge, a voluntary
partnership with the U.S. Department of
Energy, the electric power industry elimina ted 237 million metric tons of carbon dioxide
in the year 2000 alone. Power sector actions
comprised about 70% of the total reductions
and offsets reported to the government that
year.
·Through Power Partners (SM), another govern ment-industry project, the power sector re duced, avoided or sequestered more than
267 million metric tons of carbon-equivalent
greenhouse gas emissions in 2005. That
makes up nearly two-third of all reductions
reported to the federal government that year.
·In 2007, the average electricity use per cus tomer was 26,319 kW-hours.
·According to the Energy Information Admin istration, electricity demand is expected to
increase by 0.8% in 2008, and by 1% in 2009.
Find out about GE Energy and its energy
solutions
Solar Power: www.ge-energy.com/prod_serv/
products/solar/en/index.htm
Wind Energy: www.ge-energy.com/businesses/
ge_wind_energy/en/index.htm
Jenbacher gas engines: www.ge-energy.com/
prod_serv/products/recip_engines/en/index.htm
Smart Grid: www.ge-energy.com/prod_serv/
plants_td/en/td_network.htm
30
coJen
region special - sucess story
First North American greenhouse application:
Win-Win
Skyrocketing energy prices were eating up an ever-growing share of Soave Hydroponics Company’s production costs. But for the parent company
of Great Northern Hydroponics, a 55-acre greenhouse tomato operation in Kingsville, Ontario, a short-term solution wouldn’t do. Both its president
and general manager want the business to thrive for the next 20 years – perhaps even the next 100 – and help, rather than hurt, the environment.
Explained general manager Guido van het Hof, “My kids have to live and breathe in this town. In the long run, I knew that we had to build an
environmentally responsible but economically viable project.”
T
he solution came from Holland, where GE Energy houses a
Center of Excellence (COE) for Jenbacher greenhouse applications. Working with the COE, Canadian distributor DDACE Power
Systems provided Soave with a 12 MW cogeneration system
– the first Jenbacher greenhouse application in North America.
“It’s a win-win situation,” crowed the cover story in Greenhouse
Canada’s June 2008 edition. “The province gets a clean and reliable electricity source, while Soave Hydroponics (which is owned
by Detroit, Michigan-based Soave Enterprises) gets the heat
and CO2, along with the ability to buy electricity minus the usual
transportation costs.”
The 12 MW cogeneration system features four Jenbacher JMS
620 gas engines as well as heat recovery and exhaust treatment
equipment, noise abatement and systems controls. The cogeneration plant operates with a system efficiency better than 93% and
will provide enough electricity to the Ontario grid to power 8,000 to
12,000 Canadian homes. Power produced by the plant will be sold
under a 20-year contract with the Ontario Power Authority.
How it All Came About. Soave began looking at ways to deal
with the rising cost of fossil fuels about four years ago and soon
realized that a cogeneration system could help address the high
cost of energy while also helping the environment. Already proven
in Europe – the Jenbacher system can be found in more than 500
greenhouses to date – the natural gas-based system generates
electricity, while the engine exhaust can be purified, cooled and
pumped back into the greenhouse, allowing the plants to benefit
from the CO2 present in the exhaust. After touring similar installa31
region special - sucess story
coJen
tions in Holland, Soave President Darrin Didychuk was even more
convinced, and when the Ontario Power Authority issued a Request
for Proposals (RFP) to add 1,000 MW of cogeneration power to the
local grid, Soave assembled a team of companies, including DDACE
and GE, to submit a proposal. Soave was the first greenhouse – of
about 20 that DDACE had approached – to submit a proposal in
response to the RFP.
The cogeneration plant delivers
electricity, heat and CO2
to the greenhouses of
Soave Hydroponics.
The province gets a
clean and reliable electricity source,
while Soave Hydroponics gets the heat
and CO2, along with the ability to buy
electricity minus the usual
transportation costs.
Support from the Netherlands. The technology involved can
appear intricate. “There is a complex technology interface with the
greenhouse that needs to be recognized and understood,” said Jan
Buijk, Vice President and General Manager of DDACE. “Engaging the
Jenbacher Center of Excellence to determine how to integrate the
cogeneration system in the greenhouse is critical.” Explains Dick
Kramp, marketing program manager for Jenbacher greenhouse
applications, “To ensure success of this project, our distributor
built on the expertise that has been developed in the Netherlands
and offered complete, fully integrated systems to the greenhouse
owners. We have to think beyond our battery limits to be sure that
the concept is installed in the best possible infrastructure to avoid
technical issues during and after commissioning.”
Construction on the project began in May 2007 and was completed
about a year later. The 20 million US Dollar project includes continued support from DDACE, which sent two of its service technicians
to the Netherlands for four weeks of greenhouse-specific training.
In addition, the COE helpdesk in the Netherlands remotely monitors
the entire cogeneration plant and continues to provide DDACE with
expertise, if needed. “It’s one thing to build a sound cogeneration
plant,” Jan Buijk said. “It’s even more important to make sure it is
running successfully for the next 20 years.”
Win-Win Solution. With the startup in May of the cogeneration
system, Soave is able to reduce its energy costs and generate additional revenues without curtailing its annual production levels,
thus improving its competitive position in the commercial tomato
industry.
The system has the North American
industry talking.
And the system itself “has the North American industry talking,”
Greenhouse Canada claimed. A variety of engineers and greenhouse
representatives have toured the facility, according to Soave’s Didychuk. “This is one of the best installations I’ve seen, and everyone
who tours it is very impressed with its efficiencies.”_
32
coJen
service
Remote service means shorter downtimes in the event of a breakdown:
When the genset calls for the doctor
A new biogas customer near the German city of Potsdam is unable to start his biogas engine. Since he cannot solve the problem himself, he contacts
the Jenbacher Customer Service in Magdeburg. A service engineer is immediately dispatched and he identifies the problem’s cause as a change
in gas quality. Although not a big deal in itself, the customer still has to put up with downtime until the service engineer arrives and then takes
care of the problem – and downtime means a loss of revenue. The service engineer tells the customer that a problem of this nature can also be
resolved quickly and easily using GE’s Jenbacher remote service technology.
On the other hand, another new biogas plant has been installed in the vicinity at about the same time. The operator has heard about the benefits
of remote service from his colleague, and decides to use this new offering from the beginning. When he experiences the same problem two weeks
later, he informs the Jenbacher Customer Service. The office contacts the Global Customer Service Center in Jenbach. The service team in Tyrol is
able to form a precise diagnosis of the problem by accessing the plant remotely, and is able to make the engine ready for operationin no time at
all by making minor adjustments to the engine.
F
aster and better. Most problems that occur in
a plant can be solved quickly and easily thanks to
remote maintenance technology. Plant operators
benefit principally because they receive faster
and better service, which has a positive impact
on the economic operation and availability of the
plant. Remote maintenance is certainly not a new
technology for GE Energy’s gas engine division.
The cornerstone of today’s sophisticated product
was laid back in the year 2000. However, technological development of recent years has made
the operation of a worldwide remote maintenance service from the Global Customer Service
Center in Jenbach an attractive proposition.
Our customers benefit
from our remote technology
mainly in the form of
dramatically reduced downtime
in the event of a breakdown.
Remote access allows Jenbacher engineers to
check the operability of all units connected to the
system quickly and easily at any time. Furthermore, the units themselves are even able to indicate any fault that may occur automatically by
sending an e-mail or text message to the nearest
–>
33
Immediate support thanks to remote technology from Jenbach
customer service center, thus minimizing reaction
service
times. Up to 50% of all plant breakdowns can
Wilhelm Luchner regards this flood of informa-
service can easily be integrated even in existing
be repaired online within a short space of time
tion as an advantage: “Of course we also collect
plants. The basic requirement for implementing
without ever having to send a service engineer
a lot of data that is not of immediate significance
remote maintenance is merely a conventional
to the site.
to the normal operation of the plant. However,
telephone line, or – for optimal operation – an
the information that we obtain in this way mainly
Internet connection._
Availability of over 95%.
helps us to find out even more about the optimal
“It is only since the introduction of remote service
operation of our equipment.
coJen
that we have been able to stay in permanent
contact with our customers’ plant,” Wilhelm
Luchner, Service Manager at the Global Customer
Service Center in Jenbach, explains. “As a result,
we are even better placed to assist our customers in eliminating faults in their plants.” Average
The information obtained
from our remote service
enables us to make
specific improvements to our
entire range of engines.
downtime in the event of a breakdown for customers who are networked with the Jenbacher
In the future we shall even be able to make
customer service center has been slashed from
predictions about the potential faults that may
several days to just around 1.9 hours since re-
occur by interpreting the daily status reports.
mote service technology was introduced in the
This will allow us to diagnose faults with a com-
Netherlands, and plant availability has increased
paratively high degree of probability even before
to more than 95%.
they occur.”
Putting experience to good use.
Remote controlled for the future.
The Global Customer Service Center in Jenbach
Remote service has enormous potential when it
collects and evaluates all the status and fault
comes to optimizing the customers’ plants, and
reports from all plants connected to the system
it is therefore an extremely attractive option for
For further information contact your
worldwide. Over the course of time, more than
both new and existing Jenbacher gas engine
Jenbacher Service provider or your
11,000 different incidents have been logged and
customers. Since there are no significant techni-
representative in the Jenbacher service
categorized in this database.
cal specifications required for operation, remote
departments around the world.
34
coJen
service
Thanks to the new Global Service Organization, the Jenbacher
team is closer to customers than ever before:
Tailored customer
solutions
On July 1, 2008 all worldwide Jenbacher service divisions were concentrated into the gas engine manufacturer’s new Global Customer Service
Center. A number of new technologies and services now enable GE Energy’s Jenbacher team to serve its customers significantly better than
ever before. A lot can be done for the customers in the future, ranging from remote maintenance with automated fault reporting to the nearest
service center for a dramatic reduction in downtime to individually customized maintenance schedules.
A
t the beginning of this year, the Jenbacher
team restructured its worldwide service orga-
customers can now be taken into consideration
significantly better than before.
nization, setting up a modern Global Customer
Service Center right on the premises in Jenbach
New Global Customer Service Center.
specially for this purpose. In the long term this
The Global Customer Service Center functions as
measure will enable the gas engine division of GE
a central hub for all the local Jenbacher service
to take into account the growing importance of
organizations as well as sales and service
the worldwide service business to its customers.
providers. At the same time, it also ensures the
coordination of the services offered worldwide.
Our new service products will
help our customers operate their
plant even more economically
in the future.
However, direct on-site customer service is still
carried out by the existing Jenbacher subsidiaries in each country, as well as by some 60 independent Jenbacher sales and service providers.
Staff at the Global Customer Service Center
With customers increasingly calling for a
primarily play the role of consultants, making
customized spectrum of services, the reorga-
their comprehensive expertise and experience
nization of the existing service offerings in a
available to Jenbacher service providers and
separate profit center was a logical and neces-
customers for complex problems that cannot be
sary step. “Our customers will benefit especially
solved on site.
from greatly improved networking within our
35
service organization in the future,” explains
Key to success: active service orientation.
Thomas Misch, Service Marketing Manager with
Past experience has shown that today’s customer
Jenbacher gas engines. “By concentrating all
expects much more than just standard service
our services under one roof, we are able to put
products from suppliers. A company’s edge over
together individual service packages, and so
its competitors may be demonstrated by its abil-
react much better to the individual needs of our
ity to react quickly in the event of unscheduled
customers.” Yet another advantage is that when
plant downtime. “As far as our customers are
preparing an offer the regional differences of
concerned, the time during which a plant is not
service
coJen
in operation is clearly associated with financial
disadvantage,” according to Thomas Misch.
The trend is toward
individualization of service
products. The new Jenbacher
service structure represents
an essential measure for the
achievement of our objectives.
Whereas in the past the service business at Jenbacher gas engines concentrated mainly on the
areas of maintenance and spare parts, the focus
of the newly established Global Service Organization is on a long-term and solution-oriented relationship with the customer. This was the reason
behind internal restructuring.
Remote services for greater economy.
By providing a so-called remote service, for example, the staff at the Global Customer Support
Center assists not only the 250 Jenbacher service engineers worldwide, but also GE Energy’s
regional Jenbacher service providers. The remote
service facility allows our engineers to access
and diagnose all the plants linked to the system
worldwide 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In
the event of a breakdown, this makes it possible
to significantly reduce average plant downtimes.
The experience gained by the Service team in the
Netherlands has shown that nearly 50% of faults
can be solved online, so that a service engineer is
no longer required on site.
Customized services. On the basis of the plant
data acquired over an extended period of time,
the Service department will in future be able
to put together customized packages meeting
individual customer requirements. With the help
of periodical reports on operating hours or average gas consumption, GE’s Jenbacher Service
Sales team shall then be able to offer upgrades
to the latest standard of technology in the course
of scheduled maintenance to customers. This
on-going plant optimization provided by the new
Jenbacher service organization will benefit our
customers above all economically._
–> The new Global Customer Service Center at Jenbach
36
coJen
supply chain
Playing global – acting local:
Jenbacher
goes China
GE Energy is looking eastward and is opening a packaging factory for Jenbacher gas engines in fast-growing China, benefiting from GE’s
worldwide manufacturing site network. From October 2008 on, final assembly of all units for the entire Asian region will take place in Hangzhou,
about 190 km southwest of Shanghai. A local sales team will also be installed to ensure the best possible support for customers. This represents
no threat to the Tyrolean location. On the contrary: International growth means growth for Jenbach.
H
angzhou: GE Energy’s “prime address” in
Asia. This year, on October 16, the Jenbacher
gas engine division of GE has officially opened
its new packaging factory in the Chinese city of
Hangzhou. This important step for the Jenbacher
product team also comes in response to the
strong demand on the part of the Asian industry
for efficient, reliable gas engines. The fact that
the company, based in Tyrol, has this presence
in China will have significant advantages both
for customers and the company. It will mean
that GE’s gas engine division will be better
tapped into regional needs and will be able to
react better to specific customer needs and
local requirements.
Key components still come from Austria.
Naturally, all of this will change nothing in the
tried and tested quality of Jenbacher gas engines.
Production and assembly of key components – in
other words, the engine’s components, engine
assembly and engine control – will continue to be
carried out in Jenbach. The so-called “packaging”
will take place in Hangzhou. Among other things,
it includes the steel substruc-ture, assembly of
filters, ductwork and cabling of the modules. The
site also features a paint shop as well as a mod-
–> Hangzhou: GE Energy‘s “prime address” in Asia
37
ern test facility to allow the packaged units to be
supply chain
coJen
STAN
MONGOLIA
KYRGYZSTAN
NORTH
KOREA
TADZHIKISTAN
SOUTH
KOREA
CHINA
Shanghai
Hangzhou
PAKISTAN
JAPAN
NEPAL
–> Prady Iyyanki, Jenbacher gas engines
BHUTAN
CoJen talks to Prady Iyyanki, CEO of the
TAIWAN
BANGLADESH
Jenbacher gas engine division of GE Energy
VIETNAM
MYANMAR
INDIA
LAOS
THAILAND
Why China?
PHILIPPINES
CAMBODIA
CoJen: Why is GE Energy building this new
plant?
Prady Iyyanki: Since Jenbacher was acquired
SRI LANKA
by GE about five years ago, the production
BRUNEI
MALAYSIA
volume has tripled. Now a critical point has
SINGAPORE
been reached that demands expansion at the
MALDIVES
international level. The next most logical step
was to expand internationally, so that we would
INDONESIA
both expand our target regions and at the same
time ease the burden on the production facility
in Jenbach by removing some of the work that
tested before they are shipped to the customer,
is normally an extremely time-consuming and
required less expertise.
helping to assure optimal per-formance.
considerable challenge._
Why China?
We selected China as a location for very specific
Quality assurance through training and
AUSTRALIA
management support. To ensure that the
reasons. Asia is a very promising region; the demand for our products is already considerable
exacting Jenbacher standards are also applied in
and will continue to grow in future. For companies
Hangzhou, the first 25 Chinese employees com-
wanting to become active in China, it is impor-
pleted a training course in Tyrol in spring 2008.
tant to have a local contact person. It makes
The course combined theoretical product training
it possible to adapt and optimize systems to
with extensive training on the job. The Jenbacher
local needs. That is advantageous for both our
customers and our company.
team is banking on the good experience the company had several years ago, when it relocated the
–> Packaging in China
container packaging division to Hungary. The ain
contact person for the new team in Hangzhou is
facts & figures
What does this additional facility mean for
Jenbach, as the central production location?
China frees up necessary resources in Jenbach
and creates additional capacity here, for example
Wolfgang Schwalb, formerly final assembly leader
in Jenbach. He is supervising the Chinese team
Hangzhou – the new Asian hub for
for production of the new J624 engine.
and in particular offers technical support as the
Jenbacher gas engines
In other words, the company is still investing
new employees develop production.
Hangzhou is close to Shanghai, about 190 km
in Jenbach, and the future of the location is
away, or two hours drive by car. There is already
secure?
Advantages of the existing infrastruc-
a well-established infrastructure in this industrial
Yes, that is right. The investment schedule in
ture of GE. The preliminary work on the project
center.
Jenbach will be pursued, since we believe in this
was substantially abbreviated due to the fact that
Asian – growth region with considerable
excellent production location. Between 2003
GE already had a factory in Hangzhou. A function-
potential
and 2007, we invested the significant sum of 64
ing, extremely well equipped plant already existed,
In the future, Jenbach will be in a position to
million euros in this location. We are currently
and the local team already had experience deal-
supply the following important growth markets
expanding production of crank shafts. And after
ing with western Europeans. This latter factor
from its facility in China:
the recently completed expansion of our ware-
in particular simplified the entire process, since
China, South Korea, Pakistan, Bangladesh,
house, we started to expand the paint shop.
cultural rapprochement in these kinds of projects
India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand
38
coJen
personality story
An Interview with Axel Dancker, Global Service Leader:
More active customer management
with new Global Service Organization
Born in Hamburg, Axel Dancker doubtless feels an affinity with the sea. In the mean time, the
mountains of Tyrol are no longer strangers to him. The new Global Service Leader with the
Jenbacher gas engines division of GE does not have a great deal of time to enjoy the natural
beauty of Tyrol, however. After taking on this professional challenge in January 2008, his goal
is now to put the recently restructured Global Service Organization into shape and successfully
position the expanded range of services for Jenbacher gas engines.
CoJen: In January this year you took on the
This restructuring was primarily a consequence of
even more on clearly defined geographical
newly created position of Global Service Leader
the rapid and successful growth of our company
regions. This orientation will also be reflected in
with Jenbacher gas engines. What attracted
in recent years. In its existing form, the previous
our future range of service products. Our goal is
you to this task?
service offering was already very good, but it was
to be even closer to our customers, and to con-
Axel Dancker: It was above all the opportunity
not adequately dimensioned for the future global
tribute to their success with an improved service
of working for an international company that is
requirements and customer expectations that
offering from Jenbacher gas engines. With a
currently experiencing a phase of rapid growth.
we now face. Our intention with our new Global
combination with our new plant business and a
Added to this was the fact that here at GE we deal
Service Organization is to generate new impetus
matching service offering, we intend to continue
with technically sophisticated products that must
in the business arena and continue our develop-
and consolidate the successful development of
meet extremely exacting customer demands with
ment toward an even more customer-oriented
recent years in the future. Over and above this,
respect to both quality and availability. I find this a
service organization.
we shall also be providing an even more intensive service to our sales and service providers.
fascinating combination.
Where do you think the greatest challenges lay
in the past few months?
During the first few weeks and months after I
started the job, I travelled a lot to get to know
the service department, our customers, and the
“The Global Service Organization
represents an important
contribution to the global growth
of Jenbacher gas engines in the
coming years.”
Sales?
One of the priorities of our service offering will
certainly be in the field of remote diagnostics.
This technology enables us to access directly any
engine worldwide that is linked to our system.
Jenbacher gas engines sales and service provid-
39
Do you already have any new products for
ers. I have since visited all parts of the company’s
What changes in GE Energy’s Jenbacher service
This knowledge not only allows us to help our
service organization, including our subsidiaries,
products have resulted from this restructuring?
customers significantly faster, both in the event of
and have gotten to know many customers and
It is necessary for our service organization to
a breakdown and in optimizing normal operation.
service providers personally. This has naturally
provide the appropriate services throughout the
Previous experience has shown that we can give
been very time consuming, but it has also en-
entire operating life of each Jenbacher gas en-
immediate assistance online with nearly 50% of
abled me to get a good impression of customers’
gine. Service was set up as a separate organiza-
all problems reported.
differing expectations and the structures of our
tion within the company to enable us to provide
How do your customers actually benefit from
service organization in the various countries.
these services even more effectively, and to
your new products?
Why was it necessary to restructure the service
facilitate the development of the appropriate
Once we have analyzed all the relevant plant
organization?
services. We have also focused our structures
data up front, we can upgrade our customers’
personality story
plant for enhanced performance in the course of
to the skies and you will see no boundaries.”
scheduled maintenance work. This has already
What do you understand by this?
been successfully implemented with several exist-
The good thing about an international career
ing plants in France. Such services go far beyond
like my own is that you come into contact with
the standard services offered by the industry. Our
many different lifestyles and cultures. For me this
customers are quick to take advantage of this
is above all a mater of going through life with my
service, not at least due to rising raw material and
eyes wide open, of being inspired by the things
energy prices worldwide.
and events around me, and learning from them.
coJen
Basically this comes down to a question of ap-
“In addition to product
performance, at the end of the day,
it is service that gives us an edge
over our competitors.”
preciation and mutual respect. But to do this, you
must be prepared to look beyond the confines of
your own surroundings.
Thank you very much for this interview.
What are your goals for the Global Service
Organization over the coming months?
The most important thing is that we should be
Profile
able to harvest the fruit of our development work
to date as soon as possible. We can measure the
Age: 51 years
success of our new service products directly in
Education: Master of Business and Engineering
the light of their acceptance by our customers.
Married, two children
We shall also be concentrating on giving the
Dream job as a child: engine driver (in those
staff of the Global Service Organization a clear
days there were mainly steam trains)
concept of the direction in which our target segments and our service business will be develop-
Since 2008: Global Service Leader, Jenbacher
ing in the future.
Gas Engines
You have said that your philosophy of life is
based on the Asian proverb “Lift your gaze
40
You will never forget
your first!
We hope that you still remember the first issue of the CoJen. Now, CoJen has gone into the next
round and you are holding the second issue in your hands. We have worked hard to make it even better, filling it with information gleaned from the plentiful and extremely helpful feedback we received
from you following the first issue. Therefore, we want to say thank you to the many readers who took
the time to fill out our survey.
Once again, we ask you to give us five minutes of your time. Simply fill out the survey and fax it back
to us at +43 5244 600-527. Or you can go to www.gejenbacher.com, download the survey “CoJen”,
and mail it to us at jenbacher.cojen@ge.com.
We thank you in advance for your opinions and support and we will be drawing names for two Tivoli
Audio Model ONEs out of all the completed surveys we receive.
Please fill out and fax back to +43 5244 600-527 or mail it to us at jenbacher.cojen@ge.com
Masthead
The new regions special is a good idea to learn more about the Jenbacher gas engine business.
agree wholeheartedly
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Publisher:
The layout is clearly arranged. I can find my way around in the magazine.
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The articles are interesting and easy to read.
agree wholeheartedly
agree
I like the pictures.
agree wholeheartedly
GE Jenbacher GmbH & Co OHG
Achenseestr. 1-3, 6200 Jenbach, Österreich
Editorial team:
Thomas Achrainer, Axel Dancker, Krista Dreyer,
agree partially
do not agree
Andreas Eberharter, Katherina Koller, Wolfgang
König, Julia Kronthaler, Stephan Laiminger,
agree
agree partially
The second issue of CoJen is even better than the first.
agree wholeheartedly
agree
agree partially
do not agree
Eugen Laner, Georg Male, Karin Mesecke, Sabine
Müller, Thomas Pupp, Martin Schneider, Rainer
Scholz, Martina Streiter, Michael Wagner, Christof
do not agree
Waltl, Karin Zogmayer
Which article did you like best in this issue of CoJen?
Full steam ahead with the first J624
Efficiency and power output of large gas engines
The gas that comes from oil
Renewable energy – opportunity or challenge?
Where the customer is always king
North America’s changing landscape
Win-Win: First North American Jenbacher goes China
greenhouse application
Guest writers in this issue:
Which topics would you like to know more about in the future?
Design and Layout:
Prof. Andreas Wimmer (TU Graz)
Prof. Helmut Eichlseder (TU Graz)
Thorsten Herdan (VDMA Power Systems)
Jochen Hauff (A.T. Kearney)
Zimmermann & Pupp Werbeagentur
Printer:
Alpina Druck GmbH, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
My personal observations and recommendations:
Printed on paper free from chlorine
Feedback:
We value your opinion and welcome your
comments or questions. Please send them to the
personal data:
name:
address:
title:
phone:
company:
e-mail:
editorial team at Jenbacher@ge.com
Picture credits:
GE Energy, Royal Pride Holland, Soave Hydroponics
There is no right of appeal.
home base
coJen
Long road to
Jenbacher gas engines
Today, the village of Jenbach is the center of excellence for GE’s gas engine division.
But how did gas engines made in Tyrol go on to conquer the world and improve the
environment with their innovative technology? This much can be said:
It was a long struggle and a checkered story.
J
enbach has always been extremely important
in economic terms. As early as the
15th
century,
Austrian Railways and other railway companies
were a second core area of business.
the well-known Fugger family built smelting
works in Jenbach to process and merchandise
A new era with GE. In 2003, a new era began.
the silver and copper extracted from the mine
General Electric took over the gas engines division
in Schwaz. The smelting works ran flat out until
of Jenbacher, opening up the entire world for the
the ore reserves gradually petered out over the
company. In addition to branches in Denmark,
next 200 years. In 1657 the state took over the
Germany, Holland, Italy, Spain and the U.S., pro-
Fuggers’ property, and from then on iron was
duction locations were recently opened in Hun-
mined and refined. In 1870 ownership of the
gary and China. Internally as well, the company
works transferred again, this time to Salzburg-
became more international. People from many
Tyrol Montangesellschaft. The business went on
different countries worked at the company’s
to survive many ups and downs and two world
headquarters in Jenbach at the heart of Tyrol. In
wars.
addition to the charming Tyrolean dialect, English
is the official business language. This international
Cookware made in Jenbach. In 1946, the
dimension to the company also offers employees
official company name was changed to “Jen-
new and exciting career prospects abroad._
bacher Werke”. A short while later, the company
began to focus on making diesel engines, but
prior to that some rather unusual products
and services were offered. The company made
cookware and agricultural machinery, and a
repair hall for railway cars was built. In 1957, the
first gas engine left the premises at Jenbach to
accompanying applause from the employees. It
was the company’s highly qualified and skilled
workers and engineers who paved the way for
the future. For many years, traction vehicles for
42
GE Energy
We spend our energy
on saving yours.
Economic efficiency comes first. But then so does environmental protection.
With the Jenbacher gas engine GE turns associated petroleum gas, as a valuable
resource, into power. So, for electricity and heating on-site this is a great way to
spare yourself the cost of diesel deliveries to remote areas. Plus, it’s an excellent
way to reduce carbon dioxide emissions that might otherwise result from the
consumption of diesel fuel.
To learn more about our versatile engines, please visit www.gejenbacher.com