The GE Brief: November 23, 2021
Green Hydrogen Project In New York
One of the more promising paths toward a zero-carbon future is being tested at a New York Power Authority power station. In November, the Brentwood plant on Long Island began running its GE generators with a blend of so-called green hydrogen and natural gas, rather than natural gas alone. To make green hydrogen, producers use renewable energy to split water molecules. The Brentwood pilot is one of two planned for the state. The world is exploring other hydrogen projects. Click here to find out more.
GE And Emirates Partner On Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Last week at the Dubai Airshow, GE Aviation and Emirates signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a program that will see an Emirates Boeing 777 jet powered by a pair of GE engines conduct a test flight using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by the end of 2022. Few people know more about SAF and sustainability than Ahmed Safa, the airline’s head of engineering. GE Reports sat down with Safa at Expo 2020 Dubai, where he discussed his team’s efforts to help the aviation industry reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. SAF, smarter flight planning, lighter planes and new ways to maintain engines are things we can do now. Further in the future, Safa sees hydrogen, hybrid and electric flight, and other solutions. Click here to find out more.
The Next Big Thing in CT Scanners
CT scanners have been an essential diagnostic tool for decades, but there’s been a limit to the detail they can reveal. GE scientists and a Swedish startup, Prismatic Sensors AB, have been working on a technology that uses innovative X-ray detectors made of silicon to count photons and improve images. Now Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet and MedTech Labs are beginning a pilot study of the technology. Its promise was so great that GE Healthcare decided to acquire the company about a year ago, marking GE’s first acquisition since Larry Culp joined the company as chairman and CEO in late 2018. It could improve imaging in oncology, cardiology, neurology and other fields. Read about it here.
It can be hard to improve on a 2:28 finish in the Boston Marathon, but David Riddle has been trying. The GE Aviation engineer has been running for three decades and applying some of the tools of continuous improvement he uses at work to his training. “Fundamentally, the goal of training is to improve the mechanical efficiency of your running stride and eliminate wasted energy usage — to become lean, in other words,” he says. “But it’s not just running itself where you’re looking to continuously improve; nutrition, sleep, strength training, mental preparation, etc., are all aspects of the sport where there are gains to be had.” Read Riddle’s story here.
— Quote Of The Day —
“In order for us to achieve an 85% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, we are going to have to use every tool in our toolbox.”
— Gil Quiniones, former president and CEO of New York Power Authority
Quote: GE Reports. Images: Getty Images, Emirates, GE Healthcare, GE Aviation.