India's first solar-powered fresh water purification system to assist remote villagers displaced by the Tsunami
Chennai, August 9, 2006 - As a part of its ecomagination commitment and in line with its long-term recovery efforts for the tsunami-hit, General Electric today announced that it has developed a solar-powered fresh water purification system to assist the relocation efforts of tsunami-affected remote villages in southern India. The new system is the first such system to be commissioned in India. This effort has been made possible through the twin efforts of the Technology teams at GE Energy and GE Water & Process Technologies, and the dedication of GE Volunteers, the community service organization of GE.
The solar-powered, fresh-water purification systems offer a sustainable solution to meet the long-term needs of tsunami-affected villagers and fishing communities, providing them a better way to access and treat potable water. Developed jointly by GE Energy and GE Water & Process Technologies, this new system combines solar technology with salt and particulate-reducing water purification systems. The Chennai Chapter of GE Volunteers partnered with non-governmental organizations and self-help groups to provide the units as rehabilitation for tsunami-affected villages.
Scott Bayman, President & CEO, GE India, said, "More than 18 months after the tsunami hit on December 26, 2004, GE's efforts are centred on the long-term recovery of the tsunami-affected. The solar-powered fresh water purification system is a part of GE's ecomagination commitment to imagine and build innovative solutions that benefit customers and society at large, simultaneously contributing positively to the environment. Emerging markets stand to gain immensely from this technology."
The company recently shipped 14 of these new solar-powered fresh water reverse osmosis purification systems, which will support the drinking water needs of close to 2,000 people from relocated villages. Four units have already been installed in February, while the remaining 10 units are being installed during the second half of 2006. Two of the first four units were assembled near Chennai, for the KanathurReddy Kuppam Village and the Sulerikadu Village, and one unit each was set up near Thirukadaiyur Village and Auroville, adjacent to affected villages.
GE's solar-powered fresh water purification systems work through reverse osmosis, also known as hyperfiltration. The units are capable of treating saline water with a total dissolved salt content of about 2,000 mg/l and can produce 75 liters per hour of pure drinking water. One unit will purify enough water to meet the drinking and cooking water needs of 200 families
H Bala, Country Manager, GE Water & Process Technologies India said, "GE Water & Process Technologies customized its pre-filtration, sediment removal equipment with a new innovative, low-pressure, reverse-osmosis membrane and bacteria-removing post filters. Through this technology, water is purified by ten times ensuring that the water will still be potable even if the source water degrades ten times in quality, which is normal in borewells in coastal areas."
Nandkumar Dhekne, Region Executive, GE Energy India said, "Several villages are often affected by frequent power cuts. GE Energy's solar technologies business designed a solar-powered submersible well pump system. The unit will depend on its own energy source captured from its solar panels. Therefore even in the event of large power cuts typical in villages in India, the people will not be deprived of good quality drinking water."
The units were packaged by GE Energy's solar technologies business and will be installed by GE Water & Process Technologies, with assistance from Auroville-area engineers and GE Volunteers from Chennai and Pondicherry.
The KanathurReddy Kuppam Solar Powered Reverse Osmosis unit, which is an integral part of the Community Centre developed by Rotary International District 3230 Tsunami Relief Committee with Corporate Funding from GE and the Sakal group, will be maintained by Rotary Club of Chennai Towers. People from the village will be employed to oversee the running of the unit and distribution of water and replenish consumables of the unit as and when required by working with the GE Water & Process Technologies Chennai team
The continuing advancement of solar technology is a key element of GE's ecomagination commitment ( www.ge.com/ecomagination), to aggressively bring to market new technologies that will help customers meet pressing environmental challenges. Launched in May of 2005, ecomagination is at the forefront of the company's business initiatives. Under ecomagination, GE will invest $1.5 billion annually in research in cleaner technologies by 2010, up from $700 million in 2004.
GE Water & Process Technologies, a unit of General Electric Company, is an industry leader in solving the world's most pressing water reuse, industrial, irrigation, municipal and drinking water needs. Through desalination, advanced membrane, separation solutions, and water reuse and wastewater management and process technologies, GE delivers added value to its customers. GE provides value by improving performance and product quality, reducing operating costs, and extending equipment life through a broad range of products and services that are designed to optimize total performance; protect customers' assets; prevent fouling and scaling; and safeguard the environment through water conservation and energy reduction. For more information on GE Water & Process Technologies, visit www.gewater.com
GE Energy ( www.ge.com/energy) is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies, with 2005 revenue of $16.5 billion. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, GE Energy works in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and biogas; and other alternative fuels. Numerous GE Energy products are certified under ecomagination, GE's corporate-wide initiative to aggressively bring to market new technologies that will help customers meet pressing environmental challenges.
Purnima SahniMohanty
GE Corporate Manager - Communications
[email protected]
+91-11-41555303