Licensing Agreements Expand Presence Of GE Technology In Wind Industry

Further expanding the use of its proven technology throughout the North American wind industry, GE Energy has signed a patent licensing agreement with AAER Inc. of Quebec regarding GE’s variable speed technology for wind turbines.

The agreement authorizes AAER to utilize the GE technology in the manufacturing of wind turbines for projects across North America. The two companies will continue to independently manufacture and sell wind turbines, contributing to the on-going development of the wind energy sector.

“The agreement with AAER is the latest example GE’s strategy of licensing our key patents for wind turbine control technologies to help suppliers and customers meet the rapidly growing demand for clean, efficient wind energy,” said Victor Abate, Vice President-Renewables for GE Energy. The patent license with AAER follows similar agreements GE Energy signed in recent months with RePower and Acciona.

“Wind energy is the fastest growing energy segment, and GE’s proven and patented technologies are setting the industry standard for reliability and grid compatibility,” Abate added. GE’s patented variable speed control technology for wind turbines is designed to maximize energy capture from the wind and minimize turbine drive train loads.

According to a recent report from the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), GE reaffirmed its leadership position in the U.S. wind industry by supplying 764 wind turbines representing 45% of the new wind capacity added in the country in 2006.

Located in Bromont, Quebec, AAER’s mission is to integrate, manufacture, distribute and maintain high-capacity wind turbines from 1 to 1.5 megawatts in North America. AAER uses proven technologies to ensure high performance of its wind turbines in various wind conditions and complex terrain.

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 2006 revenue of $19 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.

With wind turbine design, manufacturing and assembly facilities in Germany, Spain, China, Canada and the United States, GE Energy is among the leading providers of wind energy products and support services ranging from commercial wind turbines and grid integration products to project development assistance and operation and maintenance. The company’s knowledge base includes the development and/or installation of more than 7,500 wind turbines with a total rated output of more than 9,800 megawatts.