GE's Jenbacher Gas Engine Technology Helps Averda Launch Lebanon's New Clean Energy Project
• GE’s ecomagination Qualified Jenbacher Gas Engine Assists in Landfill Gas-to-Energy Project Operated by averda
• On-Site Power Generated by GE’s Gas Engine to Enable Upgrading the Environmental Performance of Landfill
• Landmark Project to be Model in Addressing Lebanon’s Environmental Sustainability Practices
BEIRUT, LEBANONÂ – In an ambitious renewable energy initiative that can potentially help address the growing demand for electricity in Lebanon, the country is rolling out the first-of-its-kind landfill gas-to-energy (LFGTE) project in Naameh, near Beirut, using GE’s (NYSE: GE) ecomagination qualified Jenbacher gas engine technology.
The on-site power project will be powered by one of GE’s Jenbacher J312 landfill gas engines and potentially will generate 637 kilowatts of renewable electricity. This project also will eliminate the equivalent of about 12,400 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2)-the amount of emissions produced by about 6,100 cars per year.
Operated by averda international, the project is considered to be a pilot project and could be expanded to utilize the Naameh facility’s full capacity. Naameh is the biggest sanitary controlled landfill in Lebanon, serving the Greater Beirut and Mount Lebanon area since it was established in 1997. The new LFGTE project is a significant initiative in which the waste is converted to useful energy, highlighting a new long-term energy development model that potentially can be emulated in other parts of the country.
Landfill gas typically comprises approximately 55 percent methane and 45 percent CO2- greenhouse gases that contribute to environmental degradation. GE’s Jenbacher gas engines utilize captured methane gas as a fuel to produce electricity and have widespread applications in the Middle East.
The collaboration of GE and averda in the landmark Naameh project underlines the two companies’ commitment to the country through greener energy initiatives that support Lebanon’s long-term growth. The LFGTE project is set to begin operating during the last quarter of 2013. By using the landfill gas in the Jenbacher gas engine to produce electricity instead of flaring the gas into the atmosphere, the project will reduce the landfill’s emissions and contribute to the country’s environmental sustainability.
“The Naameh project is a landmark that reflects the company's focus on adopting environmentally sustainable alternatives and inspiring similar applications for other projects,” said Hani Wazzan, supply chain director at averda. “The twin challenges of landfill management-promoting environmental sustainability and tapping the site’s renewable energy potential-are being addressed through averda’s collaboration with GE, with averda providing the quality engineered setting and GE supplying its advanced Jenbacher gas engine. This collaboration creates an opportunity for strengthening the cooperation between GE and averda to apply similar technologies in other sites operated by averda in Lebanon and the region.”
“GE has long-term partnerships in Lebanon where we support the country’s public and private sectors in strengthening energy sector efficiencies,” said Nabil Habayeb, GE’s president and CEO for the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey (MENAT) region. “The potential benefit of the Naameh project is that it could encourage other landfill sites to use the gas that is currently being flared for conversion to electricity. The contribution of the project to the environment and the energy sector makes it a great value to the community. The project reiterates our commitment to introduce advanced technologies to Lebanon to support sustainable energy initiatives. We are honored to be part of this initiative and thank our collaborators for their trust in our competencies.”
GE's gas engines set the industry standard for fuel flexibility, low emissions and high efficiency and availability. Demonstrating impressive fuel-flexibility, GE’s engines can operate not only on natural gas, but also on a broad range of alternative gases including digester biogas, landfill gas, coal mine gas and sewage gases.
GE's Jenbacher gas engines are part of GE’s ecomagination portfolio. Ecomagination is GE’s commitment to provide innovative solutions that maximize resources, drive efficiencies and make the world work better. To qualify for the portfolio, products and services must demonstrate both improved economic value and environmental performance.
GE’s Jenbacher engine technology is part of the company’s portfolio of innovative distributed power solutions, designed to give businesses and communities around the world the ability to generate more reliable and efficient power using a variety of fuels in diverse locations on or off the grid. GE’s distributed power portfolio also includes GE’s aeroderivative gas turbines, Waukesha gas engines and Clean Cycle waste heat recovery solutions.
GE has established strong public and private partnerships in the energy, oil gas, aviation and healthcare sectors across the Middle East, including in Lebanon. Promoting sustainable best practices, GE had earlier delivered Jenbacher gas engines for the solid waste treatment facility and a sewage treatment facility in Sidon with a capacity to generate 2 megawatts of power. The electricity generated is used for treatment facilities and for a plastic recycling facility. GE also is providing energy services to the Electricite Du Liban, including spare parts, repairs and other services as required for the maintenance of the installed GE turbines.
GE has a history of over 80 years of presence in the Middle East and North Africa region, and in addition to long-term partnerships in the energy and oil and gas sector, GE offers energy-efficient lighting solutions as well as promotes sustainable healthcare and aviation practices. GE draws on the strong skills and professional capabilities of its workforce- more than 4,200 people across the MENAT based at 35 ground facilities in 19 countries.
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GE Power & Water provides customers with a broad array of power generation, energy delivery and water process technologies to solve their challenges locally. Power & Water works in all areas of the energy industry including renewable resources such as wind and solar, biogas and alternative fuels; and coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy. The business also develops advanced technologies to help solve the world’s most complex challenges related to water availability and quality. Power & Water’s six business units include Distributed Power, Nuclear Energy, Power Generation Services, Renewable Energy, Thermal Products and Water & Process Technologies. Headquartered in Schenectady, N.Y., Power & Water is GE’s largest industrial business.
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