ATLANTA, GA.—July 2, 2009— Electrical transformers across the globe will soon be having meaningful “conversations” about their health and performance with advanced data modeling systems and engineers at GE’s global network of monitoring centers for asset optimization in Melbourne, Fla., Montreal, Canada, and Lisburn, Northern Ireland, following today’s introduction of GE’s Smart Grid Asset Optimization solution.

GE’s new Asset Optimization solution can reduce the risk of unplanned outages and unexpected failure by up to 80% for a full range of transformers—from arc furnace transformers used in industrial applications to generation, transmission and distribution transformers on the power grid.

GE Energy’s engineers will remotely monitor transformer performance, uncover potential problems and help proactively reduce outages by identifying potential transformer failure conditions before alarms are raised. GE’s focus on prevention also helps eliminate wasted time and money associated with performing routine inspection on healthy transformers that are not in need of service.

“Worldwide, there is a critical need for infrastructure examination and preservation,” said Bob Gilligan, vice president, transmission and distribution at GE Energy.

The transformer challenge is clear in the numbers:

• More than 50% of the transformers currently in use are at or approaching the end of their design life cycle.¹
• On average, 50% of the skilled maintenance, design and replacement labor force in the United States is approaching retirement within the next 10 years—with a shortage of replacement personnel in the pipeline.²
• A shortage of worldwide manufacturing capacity has extended the wait for new transformers to more than a year.

“Our latest technology innovations allow us to address these problems using smart grid solutions, which improve productivity by maximizing the potential performance and life of aging infrastructure,” Gilligan continued.

GE’s Asset Optimization solution is based on one of the broadest portfolios of asset management technologies in the industry—from advanced monitoring systems, to diagnostics and analytics software, to in-depth assessment and maintenance services built on one of the world’s most knowledgeable teams of transformer experts.

GE’s comprehensive solution includes advanced 8-gas and 3-gas monitoring solutions to indicate status. GE also is able to monitor the transformer’s most critical components—including tap changers and bushings.

Using advanced predictive modeling software and comparative analysis, GE engineers can identify impending failure to guide repair or replacement decisions. Additionally, GE can predict potential problems and recommend corrective action before transformers go “offline”—helping customers avoid regulatory penalties, revenue loss and environmental consequences associated with unexpected failure.

Through industry collaborations, GE will deliver one of the broadest portfolio offerings in the industry to modernize the electrical systems from the power plant to the consumer. From smarter appliances to technologies for plug-in hybrid vehicles, to providing renewable technologies and smart meters, GE has the breadth and knowledge needed to increase energy productivity all the way up and down the lines.

About GE Energy

GE Energy (www.ge.com/energy) is one of the world’s leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies, with 2008 revenue of $29.3 billion. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, GE Energy works in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and biogas; and other alternative fuels.

About GE

GE is a diversified global infrastructure, finance and media company that is built to meet essential world needs. From energy, water, transportation and health to access to money and information, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.ge.com. GE is Imagination at Work.

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