Inaugurates gold LEED-certified green building 'Odyssey'. Investment at its Bangalore centre now totals $US 175 million.
Bangalore, March 6, 2009 -- With its LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gold certification, the new Odyssey building at JFWTC - GE's largest integrated multidisciplinary Research and Development Center in Bangalore -- officially opened today. It's green building status fits in beautifully with GE's ecomagination initiative, which represents the company's commitment to solve the world's toughest environmental challenges and to set an example for environmental stewardship within our own operations as well.
Spread over 3,85,000 sq ft., this new Odyssey building will house close to 2000 employees. The facility will accommodate the significant growth and expansion that has occurred at JFWTC over the past few years.
Inaugurating the green building today, Dr Mark Little, Senior Vice President -- GE Global Research remarked, "GE greatly values the well developed intellectual capital that India has to offer. The Odyssey building illustrates the increasing role our Center in Bangalore has in GE's global innovation strategy and for local technology development here in India. It also is a shining example of how JFWTC continues to be a leader across the company in meeting our own ambitious environmental goals through ecomagination."
As part of GE's ecomagination commitment, the company has set aggressive targets to reduce both its greenhouse gas emissions and water usage and improve the energy efficiency of its own operations. GE has committed to reducing its absolute greenhouse gas emissions 1 percent by 2012, which is substantial when considering that GHG emissions otherwise would have grown by 30 percent under current business growth projections. GE also is committed to achieving a 20% reduction in water use by 2012.
When compared to a standard building, the Odyssey building will offer a 30% to 40% reduction in operating costs; 25% savings in energy (equivalent to powering close to 550 Indian homes); and 20% reduction in water consumption (equivalent to supplying water to close 250 people). The most tangible ecological benefit will be reduced consumption of energy and water. The direct energy savings from this project will help prevent around 1593 tonnes/annum of GHG emissions into the environment.
Dr. Guillermo Wille, Managing Director, John F. Welch Technology Center (JFWTC), "Since its inception in 2000, the center has grown from 200 to close to 4200 today, while adding competencies and skills required to innovate and develop technology for GE businesses globally. Our efforts to help make the world greener is seen through our technology efforts in developing environment-friendly products and various initiatives in our center that engage our employees."
As part of GE's ecomagination initiative, the company is doubling its level of investment in clean technologies from $700 million in 2005 to more than $1.5 billion by 2010. Scientists and engineers at JFWTC are playing a significant role in this campaign, supporting global research endeavors in wind and solar power, gas turbine technologies, locomotives and aircraft engines.
In addition to ecomagination, research and product development related to healthcare also is increasing. Global innovation support for the Healthcare business as well as specific in country for country initiatives for India are both areas where more work is being done.
Amongst many initiatives, JFWTC has rolled out other environmental initiatives such as 'Eco-Fest' and Eco Idea' that helps create awareness and engages employees around various aspects of the environment.
About John F. Welch Technology Centre:
The John F. Welch Technology Centre (JFWTC) in Bangalore is GE's largest integrated multidisciplinary Research and Development Center, and the first to be located outside the US. Close to 3800 scientists, researchers and engineers are helping redefine what is possible in the energy transportation and healthcare industries. In addition to India (Bangalore), GE has Research Centers in the US (New York), Shanghai (China) and Munich (Germany) that are helping create game-changing technologies and innovations to ensure GE's growth and leadership.
For further information (press only) kindly contact:
GE JFWTC
Communications Leader
Vikram Kanth
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+91 9845 249 586
Genesis Burson Marsteller
Shiwani Varma Vyas / Rajiv Sarkar
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+91 9986 362 430 / +91 9986 414 823
Todd Alhart
GE
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1-518-387-7914