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ATLANTA, GA. - February 13, 2008 : – GE Energy has signed a letter of intent with the University of Wyoming, countersigned by Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal, for the development of an advanced gasification research and technology center to be located in Wyoming. The proposed center would consist of a small-scale gasification system that would enable the University of Wyoming and GE researchers to develop advanced gasification technology solutions for Power River Basin (PRB) and other Wyoming coals. GE is a leader in cleaner coal integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) and gasification technology, which has been operating at the 230-megawatt TECO Polk I Station in Florida for more than 10 years. The company currently offers a 630-megawatt commercial-scale plant that produces 75% less SOx, 33% less NOx, 40% less particulate matter, captures 90% more mercury, and uses 30% less water than a pulverized coal plant. Utilities in the eastern U.S. (Duke Energy, AEP and others) have committed to using GE's IGCC technology in proposed projects. "GE Energy and the University of Wyoming recognize that IGCC provides a cleaner alternative for power generation and has significant cost and efficiency advantages when integrated with carbon capture and sequestration. As part of the effort to accelerate IGCC technology, GE Energy is working to expand its proven gasification technology from bituminous coals to PRB and other Wyoming coals," said John Lavelle, general manager of GE Energy's gasification business. "This facility will aid in the accelerated adoption of IGCC and gasification for use on higher moisture coals such as PRB." Wyoming is uniquely positioned in the nation's energy landscape and has vast coal reserves capable of supporting a substantial portion of the nation's energy needs. In 2006, Wyoming's coal industry produced 420 million tons of coal, fueling more than 30 percent of the national electrical power generation needs. "This advanced research facility has the potential to position the University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources, in close collaboration with the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Western Research Institute, as the global center of excellence in coal gasification research, building a pipeline of scientists and engineers with significant expertise in cleaner coal technologies," said Tom Buchanan, President of the University of Wyoming. About GE EnergyGE Energy (www.ge.com/energy) is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies, with 2007 revenue of $22 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. Numerous GE Energy products are certified under ecomagination, GE Energy's corporate-wide initiative to aggressively bring to market new technologies that will help customers meet pressing environmental challenges. For more information, contact:Cynthia ColemanGE Energy +1 832 671 4540 Cynthia.coleman@ge.com Ken Darling or Howard Masto Masto Public Relations +1 518 786 6488 kenneth.darling@ge.com howard.masto@ge.com |
