ATLANTA, GEORGIA (May 26, 2003) --- In honor of Memorial Day, GE Power Systems sponsored a spectacular fireworks display at the Grand Coulee Dam in Washington. GE sponsored the fireworks in recognition and support of the Town of Coulee Dam, a community whose very existence is due to the generation of hydropower and the benefits of harnessing the power of water.
The economy of the Town of Coulee Dam is based on the operation of the dam and the tourism generated by the dam. Ten's of thousands of people fill this small town during the summer to watch a nightly laser light show, which is projected on the face of the dam and shows the history and nature of the region. Three times each summer the laser show is followed by a fireworks display that draws spectators who drive more than 200 miles from Spokane and Seattle just to watch the show.
The Grand Coulee dam is a significant project for GE Power Systems. The company has been installing and servicing the equipment in this dam since 1951 when GE installed two 65,000 HP or 48,470 kW pumps for irrigation. Each pump can pump a billion gallons of water a day to area farmlands.
GE Hydro also has installed three of the largest hydro turbine generators in the world in the third pump house of the dam. Each one produces up to 805 MW of power.
In 2002, GE Hydro was awarded a $3.8 million contract for generator stator cores and windings. Additionally, GE also is providing 18 Francis turbine runners to the right and left powerhouses as part of a consortium contract award.
Grand Coulee Dam Facts
About GE Energy
GE Energy (www.gepower.com) is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation technology, energy services and management systems with 2002 revenues of nearly $23 billion. Based in Atlanta, GA, GE Power Systems provides equipment, service and management solutions across the power generation, oil and gas, distributed power and energy rental industries.
For more information, contact:
Howard Masto
Masto Public Relations
[email protected]
1-518-786-6488
Ken Darling
Masto Public Relations
[email protected]
1-518-786-6488