`GE's Power in a Box:' an Immediate Solution to On-site Power Demand.

Business Editors

SCHENECTADY, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 23, 2001

This summer, the newest addition to the GE Distributed Power technology portfolio, GE's Power in a Box(TM) units, are landing on customer sites up and down the Pacific Coast, providing businesses with a cost-effective solution to their immediate power needs.

"GE's Power in a Box unit is a fully integrated, self-contained, space-efficient, one-megawatt system capable of operating independently or in parallel with the grid," said Dan Kabel, General Manager of GE Distributed Power, a business unit of GE Power Systems. "This product is based on a clean-burning, natural gas engine that meets the most stringent emissions requirements. The unit can go from order to delivery, installation and operation in less than 30 days, and is ready to produce power the day it arrives on a customer site."

Power in a Box fits in a standard ISO container with no externally mounted auxiliary components. It measures 40 feet long, 8.5 feet high and 8 feet wide and weighs approximately 50,000 pounds. These factors all are critical to the mobility and ease of transportation required for these portable units.

"The Power in a Box unit is designed for a fast and easy installation, with no mass foundation required. Other key features include high electrical and thermal operating efficiencies, and the possibilities for combined heat and power applications," said Kabel.

The key components of a Power in a Box package include a four-stroke, aftercooled engine with an electronically controlled air/gas mixture system, the most advanced lean-burn combustion system, a three-phase generator, engine generator control panel, a twin-circuit cooling system, and a container air intake and outlet system.

Rounding out the package are an exhaust gas silencer, designed for a residual sound pressure level of 74 dB(A) at a distance of 23 feet, and a noise-treated vertical discharge exhaust system.

Initial market demand for the Power in a Box unit has been strong, noted Kabel. "Several units are being shipped to southern California and the Pacific Northwest. We also are supplying four units to companies in Brazil. The Brazilian distributed generation market has become very active due to increased demand, inadequate infrastructure, and spiraling electric costs. Our Power in a Box units will enable our customers to generate the additional power they need to continue operating at normal production levels while reducing their electricity costs and complying with the Brazilian government's request to reduce electricity consumption from the national grid."

The Power in a Box package has an electrical output at standard ISO conditions of 1,063 kilowatts (1.063 MW) in 60-hertz operation, and 1,048 kilowatts (1.048 MW) for 50-hertz operation. Specifications for both the 50- and 60-hertz versions follow:

-- Specifications 60-hertz units 50-hertz units

-- Electrical output 1063 kWe 1048 kWe

-- Voltage 480 V / 3 phase 400 V / 3 phase

-- Engine speed 1,800 rpm 1,500 rpm

-- Fuel consumption 10,678 MBTU/hr 2,692 kW

-- Exhaust flow, dry 12,573 lb/hr 5,293 kg/hr

-- Exhaust flow, wet 13,614 lb/hr 5,727 kg/hr

-- Exhaust temperature 968 degrees F 500 degrees C

-- NOx emissions 92 ppm (15% O2) <500 mg/Nm3 (5% O2)

-- Maximum ambient temperature 107.6 degrees F 34 degrees C

-- Noise level 74 dB(A) at 23 ft. 74 dB(A) at 7 m

-- Weight, dry 50,000 lb 22,680 kg

-- Weight, filled 52,000 lb 23,587 kg

-- Length 480 in 12,192 mm

-- Height 102 in 2,591 mm

-- Width 96 in 2,438 mm

About GE Power Systems and GE Distributed Power

GE Power Systems (www.gepower.com) is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation technology, energy services and energy management systems with 2000 revenue of $15 billion. The business has the largest installed base of power generation equipment in the global energy industry. GE Power Systems provides equipment, service and management solutions across the power generation, oil and gas, distributed power and energy rental industries.

GE Distributed Power (www.distributedpower.com) provides a portfolio of on-site power generation solutions ranging from seven kilowatts up to three megawatts for use in residential, commercial and industrial applications. The business is GE Power Systems' go-to-market enterprise for gas engine gen-sets, large diesel engine gen-sets and residential fuel cells.