BARCELONA, SPAIN---October 10, 2011---Behind the general hustle and roaring aircraft engines at Spain's major airports there is to be found a growing vein of quietness.
Airports operator AENA is going electric for some of its fleet of airside vehicles and has awarded a contract to GE Energy (NYSE: GE) and Spanish energy supplier Endesa to supply and operate the vehicle charging infrastructures.
GE Energy's Industrial Solutions business will provide 53 of its DuraStation* electric vehicle chargers to AENA airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Palma and Lanzarote.
The DuraStations enable faster charging by integrating higher voltages and currents that require specialized equipment and connectors. They will be incorporated into the airports' energy management infrastructure and vehicles will be charged on off-peak overnight electricity tariffs.
The three-year pilot program will enable AENA to assess the feasibility of replacing its entire fleet of airport vehicles with electric alternatives. It is hoped that electric vehicles will also eventually be adopted by other companies operating at the airports.
In addition to a growing range of electric vehicle charging stations, GE Energy provides the full range of electrical systems and smart grid technology necessary to develop and manage a complete electric vehicle infrastructure.
"We are delighted to be working with companies with the foresight of AENA and Endesa," said Todd Johnstone, chief executive officer of GE Energy's Industrial Solutions. "Major manufacturers are now launching electric cars into the mainstream market; however, the power grid will require significant investment to make their widespread use possible. It will be up to companies such as GE Energy, AENA and Endesa to provide the technology, expertise and investment to make this possible."
It is estimated that every electric vehicle that comes on to the roads will require 1.5 chargers; in Europe alone electric vehicle sales are expected to reach half a million per year by 2015.
GE is a keen supporter of electric vehicles and on September 14, 2011, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with car maker PSA Peugeot Citroën to collaborate towards establishing reliable business models for electric vehicles. As a sign of its engagement in the EV sector, GE has shown interest in buying 1,000 electric vehicles from PSA Peugeot Citroën in Europe by the end of 2015. Last year, GE announced plans to purchase 25,000 electric vehicles worldwide for use as company cars and to lease to corporate customers through its Fleet Services business.
For more information see:
Global site (English) www.ecomagination.com/wattstation
Germany www.ge.com/de/industrialsolutions
France www.ge.com/fr/industrialsolutions
UK www.ge.com/uk/industrialsolutions
Spain www.ge.com/es/industrialsolutions
Italy www.ge.com/it/industrialsolutions
MEA www.ge.com/ex/industrialsolutions
Belgium French www.ge.com/be/fr/industrialsolutions
Belgium Dutch www.ge.com/be/nl/industrialsolutions
Netherlands www.ge.com/nl/industrialsolutions
For trade sales enquires, contact Joerg Platzer at GE Energy [email protected].
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) is an advanced technology, services and finance company taking on the world's toughest challenges. Dedicated to innovation in energy, health, transportation and infrastructure, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs about 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com.
GE also serves the energy sector by providing technology and service solutions that are based on a commitment to quality and innovation. The company continues to invest in new technology solutions and grow through strategic acquisitions to strengthen its local presence and better serve customers around the world. The businesses that comprise GE Energy---GE Power & Water, GE Energy Management and GE Oil & Gas---work together with more than 100,000 global employees and 2010 revenues of $38 billion, to provide integrated product and service solutions in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and biogas; as well as other alternative fuels and new grid modernization technologies to meet 21st century energy needs.
*Trademark of the General Electric Company.
GE news Robin Greer
Masto Public Relations
[email protected]
Communications Manager GE Energy Industrial Solutions
[email protected]
+-349331278334
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