Australian Coal Mine Waste Gas Plant Powers up with GE Energy's Jenbacher Generator Sets; Ecomagination Program Launched in Australia

SYDNEY, Australia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 19, 2006--A new coal mine methane (CMM) power plant, developed and owned by renewable energy developer Envirogen Pty Ltd., featuring 12 of GE Energy's (NYSE: GE) Jenbacher generator sets, has begun operating at one of Australia's largest coal mines, the Oaky Creek Colliery in central Queensland.
The plant is providing power to the regional grid while helping to offset the mine's methane gas emissions.
Oaky Creek's recent startup was noted today in Sydney during an event to launch GE's ecomagination program in Australia. GE Vice Chairman/ President & CEO of GE Infrastructure John Rice cited the Envirogen CMM project as a prime example of how GE can help customers address their escalating environmental and energy challenges, a central principle of ecomagination.
"Envirogen's Oaky Creek-Jenbacher gas engine plant is an excellent example of how customers can use GE's broad portfolio of highly advanced, cost-effective technology for efficient power generation, using alternative energy sources," Rice said.
GE's Jenbacher CMM technology is helping Australia address a pressing environmental challenge by targeting a key industrial source point of methane emissions: the nation's coal mines. Australia is the world's fourth largest coal producer. By using a previously "wasted"energy source for power generation, the plant helps reduce the amount of CMM the mine would otherwise need to vent or flare off. Venting methane is a traditional mine safety practice that accounts for 4 percent of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions.
To develop Oaky Creek, Envirogen secured funding from Australia's Department of Environment and Heritage, through its Greenhouse Gas Abatement Programme (GGAP).
Oaky Creek CMM Plant Expanded Prior To Startup
For the Oaky Creek project, one of several GE CMM plants owned and developed by Envirogen, GE originally provided 10 of its JGS 320 GS-S.L Jenbacher generator sets through Clarke Energy Australia Pty. Ltd.
As a wholly owned subsidiary of England-based Clarke Energy Limited, longtime UK distributor and service provider for GE's engines, Clarke Energy Australia installed the Jenbacher units as part of its turnkey project for Envirogen.
However, to handle a greater volume and consistency of mine gas found at Oaky Creek, in May 2006, Envirogen engaged Clarke Energy Australia to install two additional Jenbacher units. The two systems were previously used at Envirogen's 8-MW Teralba CMM project in New South Wales.
In July, the 12-unit Oaky Creek plant began generating a total of 13 MW of power.
About GE's "ecomagination" Initiative
Ecomagination is GE's commitment to address challenges such as the need for cleaner, more efficient sources of energy, reduced emissions and abundant sources of clean water. Under ecomagination, GE will invest US$1.5 billion annually in research in cleaner technologies by 2010.
GE certified its Jenbacher CMM technology as an ecomagination product in 2005.
About GE Energy
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 US$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.