ecomagination

GE Energy Financial Services is an active player in the effort to build a smarter grid in the United States. Whether through direct ownership of or financing Smart Grid infrastructure or venture capital investments in emerging Smart Grid technologies, GE Energy Financial Services is the capital behind the Smart Grid movement.

One of the GE EFS projects currently under way is the installation of three GE Energy variable frequency transformers (VFTs) — important elements of building a smarter grid — at the site of GE’s Linden, New Jersey, power plant. Variable frequency transformers enable transmission system operators to control power flows between different grids with high reliability, speed and efficiency, while offering flexibility in how utilities provide power to meet customers’ demand. With the capability to transfer approximately 300 megawatts of power from the regional Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland grid for supply to New York City, the installation at the Linden facility represents the most powerful project of its kind.

GE Energy Financial Services’ Venture Capital group has been one of the most active investors globally in helping make Smart Grid technologies commercially available. It invests in companies that are developing advanced metering, distributed renewable power generation — such as rooftop solar — large-scale batteries that regulate the operation of the electrical grid, advanced lighting systems and electric/plug-in vehicles. The Venture Capital group has also made investments in companies providing demand-side management services to utilities.