Building A World That Works For Tomorrow
GE released its 2021 Sustainability Report on Tuesday. The annual document looks at GE’s sustainability goals and priorities and reports important milestones. “We are taking steps today to further strengthen GE’s ability to lead on some of the defining trends of our time — driving decarbonization through the energy transition, enabling precision health and creating a smarter and more efficient future of flight,” said Larry Culp, GE chairman and CEO. “As we prepare for a new and defining chapter in GE’s history, sustainability is deeply rooted in all of our plans and priorities.” Find out more here.
Decarbonizing Energy
In 2020, GE made a commitment to become carbon-neutral in its own operations by 2030, and the following year the company announced that it is going even further, reaching net-zero by 2050 — including the Scope 3 emissions that result from the use of sold products. As the company unveiled its 2021 Sustainability Report this week, we looked back at some of this year’s biggest developments, which include offshore wind, hydrogen fuel, carbon capture and sequestration, small modular nuclear reactors, pumped hydro and other technologies. Have a look at our story here, and to find out where some of these breakthrough technologies are now being used, explore this map.
Making Aviation More Sustainable
Aviation accounts for about 2.5% of global carbon emissions. That’s why GE Aviation, CFM International — a 50/50 joint company between GE and Safran Aircraft Engines — and their airline industry and government partners are working hard to come up with solutions to reduce flight’s carbon footprint. As GE unveils its 2021 Sustainability Report, we looked back at some of this year’s biggest developments, which include sustainable aviation fuel, software that improves efficiency, hybrid electric propulsion, hydrogen fuel and other technologies. Look at our story here.
Precision Health
Sustainability also applies to healthcare. One area involves precision health — the idea that treatment can be tailored to individual patients. This helps providers achieve better outcomes for patients, operate more efficiently and eliminate waste. One example is the Oregon Care System (OCS). Rolled out during the pandemic, the software suite — developed by GE Healthcare and powered by artificial intelligence — gives clinicians in Oregon near real-time information about ICU beds and other critical care resources in the state. It uses more than 4 million data points per day to match patients with required medical resources. Another example is GE Healthcare’s Vscan Air, a handheld wireless ultrasound scanner that beams images from the ultrasound probe to a smartphone app and can help clinicians in hospitals and in rural settings care for patients. Read our story here.
Catching More Wind
At a facility near Rochester, New York, employees from GE Renewable Energy are using one of the world’s largest 3D printers to form the bases of wind turbine towers from high-tech concrete. Their success could help the wind industry break through bottlenecks that today limit the size and power of onshore wind turbines and lead to more efficient wind farm designs. GE Reports visited the site in April, and the team there recently printed a smaller-scale prototype of the tower base. We have the pictures for you, in time for GE’s 2021 Sustainability Report, here. For more information, read our original report.
How Software Is Helping Decarbonize Aviation
Employees of GE Digital Aviation explain how software is helping airlines burn less fuel and become more sustainable today.
The 5 Coolest Things On Earth 🌎
1. Creating life without reproductive cells.
2. Using an ordinary camera as an optical microphone.
3. Food plants grown in darkness.
4. Nuclear fission reactors for the moon.
5. Repairing hearts after a heart attack.
— Quote Of The Day —
“As we look ahead to forming three industry leaders with sustainability at their core, these strong independent businesses will better leverage our innovation muscles, technology expertise, leadership and global reach to build a world that works for everyone.”
— Larry Culp, GE Chairman and CEO
Quote: GE Reports. Images: Borderlands Wind, Getty Images, KLM, GE Renewable Energy. Video: GE Reports.