General Electric Energy (NYSE:GE) received its largest order of Jenbacher biogas engines – 40 high-efficiency, JMS 312 units – for renewable energy developer, NAWARO Bioenergie AG, Leipzig, for an agricultural biogas project in eastern Germany, near the Polish border. Each of GE’s 500 kW Jenbacher engines is being installed in separate plants to support the new combined heat and power (CHP) bioenergy park “Klarsee,” adjacent to farmland in the town of Penkun in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. GE’s 40 units will use biogas created during the fermentation of agricultural waste, including maize, crop residues and animal manure. Residual material in the digester can be used as a valuable fertilizer.
In all, GE’s Jenbacher engines will provide 20 MW of electricity and 22 MW in thermal output. While the engines’ electricity will be sold to the local grid, a separate, specially designed heat recovery system will deliver the engines’ thermal output to an adjacent fertilizer production facility on the farmland.
Each biogas plant has a maximum electrical output of 500 kW. Therefore, the projects qualify under Germany’s Renewable Energy Law (EEG) for “feed-in” tariffs and “CHP bonus incentives” for fully utilizing the engines’ heat. Under EEG, biogas plants are guaranteed a minimum price for supplying electricity for a period of 20 years.
GE Reports Strong Q3 Financial Results
GE announced record third-quarter earnings from continuing operations of $5.1 billion or $.49 per share, up 10% and 14%, respectively, from third-quarter 2005. Revenues from continuing operations were $40.9 billion, up 12% from last year’s third quarter. Said GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt, “Our strong third quarter performance was led by our Infrastructure segment, where profits rose 24% on excellent performances across its portfolio including Energy, which is on track for the strong second half we expected. Sales of our Infrastructure products exceeded our expectations, creating long-term margin enhancement with future services revenue opportunities. Across the company, total orders were up 15% and our backlog of orders increased 21% year-to-date. We continue to build our capabilities around the world, with global revenues and developing country growth up 12% and 22%, respectively,” added Immelt.
“Healthcare, GE Money and Commercial Finance all delivered strong performances. Industrial generated solid profits, in spite of lower margins at Plastics caused by higher than expected commodity prices,” said Immelt. “NBC Universal is making good progress in finishing the year on the upswing with positive momentum from the new primetime line-up.
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