LONDON, UK (March 13, 2025) - National Grid today announced the awarding of two parts of a £59bn High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) supply chain framework to deliver the required works and equipment needed for key energy projects across the UK. The announcement sees four suppliers, including GE Vernova, being awarded places on the HVDC Converter Framework, totaling approximately £24.6bn. The agreement is applicable for a five-year period, with the potential to extend for a further three years. 
 

Read the full press release here: https://www.nationalgrid.com/media-centre/press-releases/national-grid-awards-hvdc-supply-chain-framework-contracts

GE Vernova and PyroGenesis sign MOU to advance industrial electrification

This Saturday marks International Women’s Day, a chance to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women all over the world. This year we asked electrical engineer Elisabetta Lavopa to talk about her life and work. Lavopa hails from Italy and now works as HVDC System Studies team lead in GE Vernova’s Grid Solutions business in Stafford, England.

What is your role today, and how does it fit with your career expectations?

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (March 4, 2025) – GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE: GEV) and Amazon Web Services, Inc (AWS), an Amazon.com, Inc. company (NASDAQ: AMZN), today announced the signing of a strategic framework agreement (SFA) aimed at supporting AWS’s data center scaling, and collaborating to address increasing global energy demand, advance grid security and reliability, and decarbonize electric power systems.

Through this collaboration, GE Vernova will provide AWS with new offerings across a broad scope of solutions to electrify and decarbonize data centers across North America, Europe, and Asia, including:

• Electrification Systems: GE Vernova will continue to provide AWS with turnkey substation solutions to enable connectivity of AWS data centers to the grid, including expansion of major electrical equipment, project management, and construction support, across multiple sites globally. AWS and GE Vernova engineering teams will continue to work together to optimize data center substation design and delivery.
• Renewables: GE Vernova will collaborate with AWS to enhance the path for commercializing onshore wind development projects.
• Power Generation, Innovation and Services: GE Vernova and AWS will also explore additional opportunities for GE Vernova to provide power generation equipment and services to AWS as well as work with GE Vernova’s accelerator businesses – Advanced Research, Consulting Services, and Financial Services – to advance energy transition innovation, research, project development, and financing.

Pablo Koziner, Chief Commercial Officer, GE Vernova said, “We are excited to work in collaboration with AWS as they advance their computing capabilities and data center capacity. We believe that GE Vernova is well positioned through its broad portfolio of energy products and services to help AWS obtain reliable, cost effective, and more sustainable electricity for its data centers in support of their growth objectives. We appreciate the opportunity to work strategically with a company that embraces innovative solutions and values strong collaboration.”

Under this new collaboration, AWS will provide GE Vernova cloud services solutions to advance its cloud migration and digital innovation efforts, including through generative AI. AWS’s cutting-edge capabilities will support GE Vernova’s continued transformation as a standalone, public company as it enhances its systems and processes and further embeds sustainability and innovation into its core operations. The extended collaboration will introduce new potential technologies and cloud services, including AWS High Performance Computing (HPC). The collaboration will also help GE Vernova accelerate development cycles and optimize operations for advanced digital technology solutions through large computational power and cloud elasticity. AWS and GE Vernova will further work together to identify opportunities to accelerate GE Vernova’s operational goals, leveraging AWS technologies in artificial intelligence, big data, and data analytics.

Additionally, AWS will continue to collaborate with GE Vernova’s Electrification Software business to help support AWS Cloud deployments of software for the electric grid, power generation, and manufacturing industries.

“Through this expanded collaboration with GE Vernova, we’ll be able to accelerate data and energy efficiencies, driving reliable and more sustainable operations,” said Howard Gefen, general manager, energy & utilities, AWS. “Our shared goals of addressing increased global energy demand, advancing grid security, and decarbonizing electric power systems will help our customers across the globe.”

GE Vernova previously announced agreements to collaborate with AWS to help support cloud deployments of software to benefit electric utilities, energy organizations, manufacturers, and other industrial businesses. Through these collaboration arrangements, several of GE Vernova’s software solutions—including various applications within its GridOS® orchestration software portfolio, as well as Asset Performance Management—are hosted in the AWS Cloud.

Financial terms of this agreement are not disclosed.

###

About GE Vernova
GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE: GEV) is a purpose-built global energy company that includes Power, Wind, and Electrification segments and is supported by its accelerator businesses. Building on over 130 years of experience tackling the world’s challenges, GE Vernova is uniquely positioned to help lead the energy transition by continuing to electrify the world while simultaneously working to decarbonize it. GE Vernova helps customers power economies and deliver electricity that is vital to health, safety, security, and improved quality of life. GE Vernova is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., with approximately 75,000 employees across approximately 100 countries around the world. Supported by the Company’s purpose, The Energy to Change the World, GE Vernova technology helps deliver a more affordable, reliable, sustainable, and secure energy future. Learn more: GE Vernova and LinkedIn.

About Amazon Web Services
Since 2006, Amazon Web Services has been the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud. AWS has been continually expanding its services to support virtually any workload, and it now has more than 240 fully featured services for compute, storage, databases, networking, analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), mobile, security, hybrid, media, and application development, deployment, and management from 114 Availability Zones within 36 geographic regions, with announced plans for 12 more Availability Zones and four more AWS Regions in New Zealand, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, and the AWS European Sovereign Cloud. Millions of customers—including the fastest-growing startups, largest enterprises, and leading government agencies—trust AWS to power their infrastructure, become more agile, and lower costs. To learn more about AWS, visit aws.amazon.com.

About Amazon
Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth’s Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth’s Best Employer, and Earth’s Safest Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.

Forward Looking Statements
Except for the historical and factual information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements related to the benefits of the parties’ collaboration, the parties’ business outlook and potential future operations or transactions, and that may be identified by words such as “will,” “believes,” “expects,” “plans” and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the risks that the parties’ anticipated benefits from their agreement and continued collaboration may take longer to be realized or be less than currently anticipated, that the benefits of AI and other emerging technologies may take longer to be realized or be less than currently anticipated, or that certain of the parties’ plans for future changes may be more difficult or time consuming to implement than currently expected. Many of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions are beyond the parties’ control. Actual events and results may differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or projected if one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Unless legally required, neither party undertakes any obligation and expressly disclaims any such obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

In Türkiye, demand for electricity is surging. With a growing — and urbanizing — population, the country ranks 15th in the world in annual energy production, outpacing several nations with much larger populations.

The wild Baltic Sea has produced its share of historic storms, and in the fall of 2023 it unleashed another titanic surge that pounded Germany’s north coast, causing 200 million euros’ worth of damage. But heavy weather is not enough to deter Germany in its quest to secure low-carbon energy; indeed, the same forces that drove that storm of the century in 2023 can be harnessed to produce electricity.

PITTSBURGH, PA (January 29, 2025) - GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:GEV), America’s leading energy manufacturing company, today announced it is planning to invest more than $10 million in its Pittsburgh facility over the next two years to expand capabilities across its Electrification segment. This includes funding to house a new domestic manufacturing line for the company’s FLEXINVERTER, a key technology for utility-scale solar and energy storage applications. This total investment is expected to create more than 270 new jobs.

The investment comes as GE Vernova launches its new Power Conversion & Storage business, one of the three business units within GE Vernova’s Electrification segment. The new business unit, a combination of two previously separate businesses, Power Conversion and Solar & Storage Solutions, is a response to the increasing demand by customers for power stability and energy storage solutions driven by the increases in renewable power generation, as well as the continuous electrification of energy intensive industries.

“Expanding our Pittsburgh operations reflects our commitment to building a robust domestic supply chain for electrification technologies,” said Ed Torres, GE Vernova’s Power Conversion & Storage Business Leader. “This investment not only reinforces our role in supporting the energy transition but also aims to create jobs in the heart of the U.S. industrial base. As part of GE Vernova’s Electrification segment - our fastest-growing division with immense potential - Power Conversion & Storage expects to play a critical role in building the electrification backbone essential for achieving world climate goals.”

By localizing production, GE Vernova aims to address critical supply chain challenges, aligning with national priorities to strengthen U.S. energy independence while supporting decarbonization goals.

Pittsburgh Facility Expansion: Supporting U.S. Renewable Growth
The new GE Vernova FLEXINVERTER manufacturing line is designed to produce both 1500V and 2000V FLEXINVERTER models, which enable utilities to seamlessly connect renewable energy sources to the grid, ensuring stable and consistent energy supply for homes and businesses.

With a footprint of more than 2.7 acres (11,000 square meters), the expanded Pittsburgh facility will also boost engineering and field operations for sectors including steel, oil and gas, marine, and renewable energy. The investment reinforces GE Vernova’s commitment to providing advanced energy solutions that lower operational costs and enhance grid stability.

Driving the Energy Transition
The launch of Power Conversion & Storage further demonstrates GE Vernova’s leadership in accelerating the U.S. energy transition. With innovations like the 2000 kV FLEXINVERTER and RESTORE DC Block, the company is setting new standards for utility-scale renewable energy solutions.

###

About GE Vernova
GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE: GEV) is a purpose-built global energy company that includes Power, Wind, and Electrification segments and is supported by its accelerator businesses. Building on over 130 years of experience tackling the world’s challenges, GE Vernova is uniquely positioned to help lead the energy transition by continuing to electrify the world while simultaneously working to decarbonize it. GE Vernova helps customers power economies and deliver electricity that is vital to health, safety, security, and improved quality of life. GE Vernova is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., with approximately 75,000 employees across 100+ countries around the world. Supported by the Company’s purpose, The Energy to Change the World, GE Vernova technology helps deliver a more affordable, reliable, sustainable, and secure energy future. Learn more: GE Vernova and LinkedIn.

GE Vernova’s Power Conversion & Storage business combines advanced energy conversion and storage systems to meet the electrification needs of utilities and industries. With a focus on industrial electrification, power stability, and energy storage solutions, Power Conversion & Storage empowers customers by addressing their most complex electrification challenges and accelerating their transition to a sustainable, decarbonized future.

Forward Looking Statements
This document contains forward-looking statements – that is, statements related to future events that by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. These forward-looking statements address GE Vernova's expected future business and financial performance, and the expected performance of its products, the impact of its services and the results they may generate or produce, and often contain words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “see,” “will,” “would,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “target,” “preliminary,” or “range.” Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain, such as statements about planned and potential transactions, investments or projects and their expected results and the impacts of macroeconomic and market conditions and volatility on business operations, financial results and financial position and on the global supply chain and world economy.

Seoul, South Korea (December 23, 2024)— GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE: GEV) today announced that it has been chosen through its joint venture, KAPES, by Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) to deliver its advanced High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) system, based on Line Commutated Converter (LCC) technology,  for the 500 kV Donghaean #2 to Dong-Seoul HVDC converter station project (EP2). This project, part of a larger 4 GW HVDC transmission link, is planned to connect South Korea’s power generation complex on the east coast to the Seoul metropolitan area and is intended to be the largest power grid infrastructure initiative in the country’s history.

The EP2 project complements the EP1 project, which is also being executed by GE Vernova through KAPES. Together, EP1 and EP2 projects are designed to provide a stable and reliable power supply to the Seoul metropolitan area, which accounts for approximately 40% of South Korea’s energy demand. Both projects are expected to benefit from GE Vernova’s advanced HVDC technology, designed for efficient long-distance power transmission and enhancing grid resilience to meet growing energy needs.

GE Vernova’s scope for the EP2 project includes the engineering and delivery of HVDC Valves and Control Systems based on LCC technology, essential for the stable transmission of large-scale power. The project underscores the increasing demand for technology from GE Vernova’s Electrification segment, which continues to grow rapidly.

KEPCO’s Vision for a Sustainable Energy Future

KEPCO is prioritizing advanced HVDC technology as a critical enabler of South Korea’s energy transition. The EP2 project is designed to provide efficient and stable power transmission to key industrial regions while laying the groundwork for a sustainable and resilient energy network.

Mr. Yu-won Kang, CEO of KAPES,said, "The EP2 project reinforces KAPES' position as the leading HVDC provider in Korea in collaboration with GE Vernova, further demonstrating its proven technological expertise and project management capabilities. KAPES is proud to support KEPCO in Korea's energy transition and play a pivotal role in stabilizing the nation's power grid.”

“Our Electrification segment is the fastest-growing part of GE Vernova, with significant growth ahead,” said Johan Bindele, Business Leader at GE Vernova’s Electrification Systems. “We are committed to delivering innovative solutions that electrify the world while decarbonizing it, as electrification becomes critical for enabling a sustainable and resilient energy future in Asia and beyond. We are proud of our 26-year relationship with KEPCO, our continued collaboration reflects our shared commitment to providing advanced solutions that address the evolving needs of power infrastructure.”

"Projects like EP2 are pivotal in enabling South Korea’s energy transition,” said Shailesh Mishra, Regional Leader of Grid Systems Integration in Asia Pacific at GE Vernova. “By deploying advanced HVDC technology, we are not only enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the country’s grid but also laying the foundation for greater integration of renewable energy. Collaborating with KEPCO through KAPES allows us to deliver transformative solutions that align with South Korea’s vision for a sustainable energy future.

KAPES: Strengthening South Korea’s Power Grid

KAPES, the joint venture between KEPCO and GE Vernova established in 2012, has been instrumental in delivering various important projects that address South Korea’s unique energy needs. In addition to EP1 and EP2, key initiatives include the Buk-Dangjin-Godeok HVDC Connection, a 3 GW transmission link supplying power from the Dangjin power plant to Seoul and its surrounding regions, and the Shin-Bupyeong HVDC Link, a 500 MW Back-to-Back Voltage Sourced Converter (VSC) system in Incheon designed to alleviate grid overloads. These projects collectively underscore KAPES’ role in strengthening South Korea’s power grid and advancing its energy infrastructure.

The Role of HVDC in Korea’s Energy Transition

High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) technology is essential in the global shift toward sustainable energy systems as it supports efficient and reliable power transmission over long distances. HVDC system based on the Line Commutated Converter (LCC) technology uses thyristor-based power semiconductors to transfer large amounts of power—up to 8 GW—with low energy losses. Its ability to handle bulk power transmission while providing built-in protection against faults makes it ideal for strengthening South Korea’s power grid and supporting the integration of renewable energy.

In South Korea, HVDC aims for enhanced efficiency and stability in transmitting power over long distances, supporting bi-directional energy flow and facilitating renewable energy integration. EP2 is intended to provide a reliable link between the East Coast’s power generation facilities and the high-demand metropolitan area, including semiconductor manufacturing hubs in Yongin, Incheon, and Pyeongtaek.

GE Vernova in Korea

GE Vernova is a major player in the power sector in South Korea. The company has been present in South Korea since 1976, working closely with local companies to support the country’s growth in the energy sector.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors:

Forward Looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements – that is, statements related to future events that by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. These forward-looking statements address GE Vernova's expected future business and financial performance, and the expected performance of its products, the impact of its services and the results they may generate or produce, and often contain words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “see,” “will,” “would,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “target,” “preliminary,” or “range.” Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain, such as statements about planned and potential transactions, investments or projects and their expected results and the impacts of macroeconomic and market conditions and volatility on business operations, financial results and financial position and on the global supply chain and world economy.

About GE Vernova

GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE: GEV) is a purpose-built global energy company that includes Power, Wind, and Electrification segments and is supported by its accelerator businesses. Building on over 130 years of experience tackling the world’s challenges, GE Vernova is uniquely positioned to help lead the energy transition by continuing to electrify the world while simultaneously working to decarbonize it. GE Vernova helps customers power economies and deliver electricity that is vital to health, safety, security, and improved quality of life. GE Vernova is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., with approximately 75,000 employees across 100+ countries around the world. Supported by the Company’s purpose, The Energy to Change the World, GE Vernova technology helps deliver a more affordable, reliable, sustainable, and secure energy future. Learn more: GE Vernova and LinkedIn.

GE Vernova’s Grid Solutions business electrifies the world with advanced grid technologies and systems, enabling power transmission and distribution from the point of generation to point of consumption, and supporting a decarbonized and secured energy transition.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (December 16, 2024) – GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE: GEV) today announced that, in consortium with Drydocks World, it has been awarded the Ostwind 4 project by 50Hertz, a leading German Transmission System Operator (TSO). The project involves the design, construction, and commissioning of a 2-gigawatt (GW) High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) electric transmission system—the first of its kind in the German Baltic Sea—connecting an offshore wind farm to the German grid.

Located in the Arkona Basin, approximately 30 kilometers northeast of Rügen Island, the Ostwind 4 project will transport up to 2 GW of offshore wind energy via the HVDC system to the mainland, delivering renewable electricity equivalent to the amount needed to power nearly two million households. Provisionally scheduled for completion by the end of 2031, the project is expected to feature an advanced bipolar HVDC transmission system operating at 525 kilovolts (kV), ensuring efficient energy transport with minimal losses over long distances.

Collaborating to Drive Germany’s Renewable Energy Ambitions

The GE Vernova–Drydocks World consortium is responsible for delivering both the offshore converter platform and the onshore converter station, enabling seamless transmission of electricity from offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea to the German transmission grid. As the consortium leader, GE Vernova will supply advanced HVDC technology, including voltage-sourced converters (VSC), high-voltage transformers, g³ gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), air-core reactors, as well as civil works for the onshore converter station and grid automation telecommunications equipment.

The project will also benefit from GE Vernova’s new HVDC Competence Center in Berlin, which is focused on developing leading-edge technology to improve grid stability and integrate more renewable energy.

Drydocks World will be responsible for designing, fabricating, and installing the offshore converter platform, including the jacket substructure and topside. This advanced infrastructure, built at Drydocks World’s Dubai facility, features a U-shaped jacket substructure with integrated nature-inclusive scour protection to enhance marine biodiversity while minimizing environmental impact.

Germany’s Energy Transition Goals

Germany is at the forefront of the global energy transition with its ambitious Energiewende framework, which aims to phase out coal entirely by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2045. As per the German Climate Law, 80% of electricity supply must come from renewable sources by 2030, with a target of 100% by 2035. Projects like Ostwind 4 are crucial in meeting these goals, enabling the efficient transmission of renewable energy from offshore wind farms to the national grid and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Stefan Kapferer, CEO 50Hertz, said, “The awarding of the contract to GE Vernova and Drydock World marks the beginning of a new chapter in the use of wind energy in the Baltic Sea. 50Hertz is the first transmission system operator to deploy 2 GW / 525 kV technology in this sea area. This is pioneering work. We want to ensure that the entirety of the technically and economically viable offshore wind energy potential in the Baltic Sea is exploited, primarily with the help of direct current technology. To do this, we need to think and act in an even more networked way across national borders. One prerequisite for this is the creation of legal and regulatory conditions that enable wind farms in the waters of other EU states to be connected to the German transmission grid. “

Philippe Piron, CEO of GE Vernova's Electrification business, said, “Ostwind 4 represents a crucial milestone in our mission to electrify and decarbonize with the energy to change the world. By leveraging our advanced HVDC technology, this key infrastructure project underscores the essential role of offshore wind to ensure European energy security and to accelerate the global energy transition. This order also highlights the rapid growth in GE Vernova's Electrification segment, our fastest growing business, as our customers invest in the grid. We are very proud to collaborate with 50Hertz and Drydocks World to advance Germany’s renewable energy goals and set a new standard for a resilient and sustainable grid infrastructure.”

Johan Bindele, Leader of Grid Systems Integration at GE Vernova’s Grid Solutions business, added, “Ostwind 4 demonstrates the advancements in HVDC technology that GE Vernova delivers to support the integration of renewable energy sources at transformative scales. The use of our Voltage-Sourced Converters, g³ gas-insulated switchgear, and robust system design ensures not only efficient power transmission but also operational reliability over long distances. We are honored to lead this project in collaboration with our consortium partner Drydocks World and support 50Hertz in pushing the boundaries of energy innovation.”

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, DP World, said: " We are pleased to see Drydocks World playing a pivotal role in the Ostwind 4 Project, a testament to its technical excellence and commitment to advancing renewable energy infrastructure. This reflects DP World’s ongoing commitment to enabling a clean energy future by supporting innovative projects that drive sustainability and economic growth. As the global energy landscape evolves, we remain dedicated to leveraging our expertise and innovative capabilities to support initiatives that drive clean energy transitions and economic development.”

Accelerating The Energy Transition Through Advanced Grid Technology

HVDC technology is critical in supporting the efficient and reliable transmission of renewable energy across long distances. Unlike the AC systems, HVDC can transmit three times the power with up to 50% fewer losses. HVDC systems equipped with Voltage-Sourced Converter (VSC) technology further enhance the controllability and stability of power flows, making them ideal for integrating variable energy sources such as wind and solar into the grid.

GE Vernova’s g³ gas-insulated switchgear further supports the energy transition by providing a more environmentally sustainable alternative to SF₆ gas, a potent greenhouse gas traditionally used in high-voltage equipment. The g³ technology is part of company’s GRiDEA portfolio, a suite of decarbonization solutions that empower grid operators to address their net-zero objectives. Launched in 2014, g³ shows an approximately 99% reduction of greenhouse gas contribution to global warming, compared to SF₆, aligning with the decarbonization goals of the global energy sector. Together, HVDC and SF₆-free solutions represent key innovations necessary to decarbonize and modernize the grid infrastructure for a more sustainable energy future.

-ENDS-

Image: After the symbolic signing of the contract: Standing f.l.t.r.: Stefan Hartge (GE Vernova), Marco Nix (50Hertz), Capt. Rado Antolovic (Drydocks World). Sitting f.l.t.r.: Johann Bindele (GE Vernova), Stefan Kapferer (50Hertz), HE Sultan Admed Bin Sulayem (Dubai Port World). 50Hertz / Kathrin Heller.

Forward Looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements – that is, statements related to future events that by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. These forward-looking statements address GE Vernova's expected future business and financial performance, and the expected performance of its products, the impact of its services and the results they may generate or produce, and often contain words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “see,” “will,” “would,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “target,” “preliminary,” or “range.” Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain, such as statements about planned and potential transactions, investments or projects and their expected results and the impacts of macroeconomic and market conditions and volatility on business operations, financial results and financial position and on the global supply chain and world economy.

About GE Vernova

GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE: GEV) is a purpose-built global energy company that includes Power, Wind, and Electrification segments and is supported by its accelerator businesses. Building on over 130 years of experience tackling the world’s challenges, GE Vernova is uniquely positioned to help lead the energy transition by continuing to electrify the world while simultaneously working to decarbonize it. GE Vernova helps customers power economies and deliver electricity that is vital to health, safety, security, and improved quality of life. GE Vernova is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., with approximately 75,000 employees across 100+ countries around the world. Supported by the Company’s purpose, The Energy to Change the World, GE Vernova technology helps deliver a more affordable, reliable, sustainable, and secure energy future. Learn more: GE Vernova and LinkedIn.

GE Vernova’s Grid Solutions business electrifies the world with advanced grid technologies and systems, enabling power transmission and distribution from the point of generation to point of consumption, and supporting a decarbonized and secured energy transition.

Em novembro deste ano, a matriz elétrica brasileira atingiu o marco de mais de 228 GW em capacidade instalada, sendo uma das maiores e mais diversificadas globalmente. A participação de fontes de energia renováveis ​​como hidrelétrica, eólica, solar e biomassa, respondem por mais de 90% do total, fazendo do Brasil o país do G20 que possui a matriz elétrica com maior uso de energias renováveis, de acordo com estudo da Ember Climate. 

Essa realidade é bastante favorável para o país, principalmente no contexto da transição energética, que almeja ajudar no combate às alterações climáticas resultantes do aquecimento global. Uma das maneiras de limitar esse aquecimento é justamente por meio da descarbonização, ponto fundamental da transição.

No Brasil, o setor de energia não é o principal emissor de carbono. De acordo com um estudo da Empresa de Pesquisa Energética (EPE), em 2022, estima-se que a produção e o uso de energia tenham correspondido a apenas 24% das emissões brasileiras de gases de efeito estufa (GEE), número explicado pela matriz energética diversificada e com ampla participação de fontes renováveis. Contudo, a descarbonização do setor elétrico é chave tanto para reduzir ainda mais sua participação direta nas emissões, quanto para apoiar os demais setores que precisam de eletrificação e descarbonização, como o setor de transporte, unindo esforços para ajudar a combater o aquecimento global.

Diante disso, o crescimento de fontes como a eólica e a solar segue como um dos principais pilares da descarbonização, inserindo ainda mais energia renováve na matriz que apoiará as demandas por uma eletrificação eficiente e sustentável. Há algumas décadas, essas fontes – até então consideradas alternativas – ainda não figuravam nas estatísticas de geração de energia com os primeiros projetos sendo iniciados apenas no final dos anos 2000. Hoje, a realidade é bem diferente, e essas mesmas fontes já respondem por mais de 20% da matriz elétrica brasileira, número que deve chegar aos 23% em 2028, segundo a projeção do Operador Nacional do Sistema (ONS).

INTEGRAÇÃO É CHAVE PARA A DESCARBONIZAÇÃO

Espera-se que o crescimento da geração eólica e solar continue especialmente considerando os objetivos da transição energética. Contudo, esse crescimento vem acompanhado de grandes desafios, dada a intermitência característica dessas fontes, por exemplo, considerando que há períodos nos quais os ventos não estão soprando com todo seu potencial e o sol deixa de incidir sobre os parques solares.

Para equilibrar o sistema, outras fontes entram em ação e destacam a importância de seu papel ao complementar a rede elétrica conforme a demanda, fornecendo energia despachável. Uma dessas fontes é a hidráulica, que detém a maior participação na matriz elétrica do país, sendo sua principal fonte de energia renovável há décadas e uma grande aliada da transição energética. Cláudio Trejger, CEO da unidade de Hydro Power para a América Latina, alerta para o fato de que as usinas hidrelétricas brasileiras estão operando há décadas e é fundamental investir também na modernização delas. Esse tipo de serviço ajuda a prolongar a vida útil desses ativos, melhorando a eficiência e otimizando a utilização do recurso hídrico disponível para atender à demanda de eletricidade no país. “Existe uma grande oportunidade para aumentar a potência em várias usinas, porém as geradoras não têm explorado esta possibilidade, pois aguardam a revisão das regras vigentes. A modernização ajuda a aumentar a eficiência e tornar a usina estar disponível por mais tempo, oferecendo maior segurança ao fornecimento de energia. Para isso, nossos times trabalham integrando serviços e tecnologias para otimizar as operações de hidrelétricas como no caso da maior atualização tecnológica da Itaipu Binacional (segunda maior usina hidrelétrica do mundo), e do projeto de modernização da Usina Hidrelétrica de São Simão. Também gostaria de destacar a possibilidade de implantar Usinas Reversíveis, tecnologia oferecida pela GE Vernova, e que pode assumir um importante papel no programa de transição energética do país”, disse Cláudio.

Outra fonte que também tem a capacidade necessária de despacho para complementar as fontes intermitentes e apoiar a atuação da fonte hidráulica, em especial quando o país enfrenta crises hídricas, é o gás natural. Daniel Meniuk, VP de Serviços para América Latina para Gas Power, afirma que “no Brasil, as termelétricas modernas a gás natural, como as usinas do Complexo Azulão e Porto de Sergipe I, fazem a diferença ao ajudar a complementar e a manter nossa rede estável, oferecendo energia segura, confiável e cada dia mais sustentável dada a melhoria constante da tecnologia utilizada." Segundo ele, além de fornecer uma fonte confiável e complementar à geração renovável, as emissões de turbinas a gás podem ser ainda mais reduzidas no futuro usando hidrogênio como combustível e tecnologias de captura de carbono. "No portfólio da GE Vernova, já temos turbinas a gás natural capazes de queimar hidrogênio, de acordo com a demanda do cliente e a infraestrutura da planta. Um exemplo disso ocorre na planta DeBary da Duke Energy, que deve se tornar uma das primeiras usinas de energia em operação comercial a produzir, armazenar e queimar 100% por volume de hidrogênio verde para aplicações relacionadas aos picos de energia", conclui.

MAIS QUE UMA GERAÇAO EFICIENTE, ESTABILIDADE NA ENTREGA

Se a integração de diferentes fontes precisa ser muito bem orquestrada para permitir o crescimento sustentável das fontes renováveis sem prejudicar o abastecimento de energia, gerenciar a qualidade da operação da rede, com foco na estabilidade e segurança da rede elétrica, também é fundamental.

“A rede elétrica é uma das invenções humanas mais complexas que existem. E quando a gente tem mais eólica e solar entrando, a gente tem flutuações de rede e, consequentemente na qualidade da energia que está sendo entregue em todo o país. Por isso, essa rede tem que ser monitorada e condicionada”, afirma Renato Yabiku, CTO para América Latina na unidade de Power Conversion. “A GE Vernova traz um portfólio completo de soluções (hardwares e softwares), desde a geração até a parte de estabilização, seja por meio de programas de orquestração da rede. Como exemplo, destaco os compensadores síncronos, equipamentos que servem justamente para aumentar a capacidade e a estabilidade do Sistema Interligado Nacional (SIN), oferecendo maior qualidade e segurança à transmissão de energia elétrica mesmo em condições adversas. Essa tecnologia ajuda a evitar interrupções e apagões e complementa outras como o STATCOM,  que é uma espécie de inversor conectado à rede para dar potência de forma reativa, contribuindo para a estabilização”, explica.

Nesse sentido, Sergio Binda, Líder de Grid Automation para a GE Vernova na América Latina, reforça que a empresa também possui soluções digitais e integradas com poder de computação aumentada, desenvolvidas para gerenciar a rede, visando maior segurança, confiabilidade, capacidade e resiliência na transmissão de energia. “Quando pensamos em uma solução para a rede, inclusive visando a estabilização, existem tecnologias para dar respostas a eventos como uma falha ou um curto-circuito. Esses pacotes de software, como o GridOS e GridBeats, por exemplo, oferecem modelos adequados para cada um dos equipamentos”, afirma. Binda ainda destaca que essas soluções próprias trazem mais valor e uma resposta mais assertiva e segura para aqueles que geram energia e operam o sistema.

DE OLHO NO FUTURO: INTEGRAÇÃO E NOVAS TECNOLOGIAS

Com base em mais de 130 anos de experiência e um portfólio completo de soluções em geração, transmissão, armazenamento de energia, além de softwares e outras tecnologias digitais focadas em eletrificação e descarbonização, a GE Vernova está posicionada de forma única para acelerar a transição energética. Atualmente, sua base tecnológica instalada ajuda a gerar cerca de um quarto da energia no mundo, posicionando a empresa como líder em toda a cadeia de valor da indústria de energia.

De olho no futuro e ciente da importância de desenvolver novas tecnologias que acompanhem a demanda do planeta por energia confiável, acessível e sustentável, a empresa investe aproximadamente US$ 1 bilhão anualmente em Pesquisa & Desenvolvimento. Além disso, trabalha para que a atuação das diferentes áreas da empresa sob os segmentos de Power, Wind e Electrification, facilitem a integração de tecnologias para solucionar os desafios do setor elétrico no Brasil e ao redor do mundo, contribuindo de forma decisiva para a transição energética global.

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Recentemente, Daniel Meniuk (VP de Serviços para América Latina, Gas Power) e Renato Yabiku (CTO para a América Latina na unidade de Power Conversion), falaram sobre as soluções da GE Vernova no cenário de transição energética em entrevista ao programa MegaCast, do portal especializado em Energia, MegaWhat. Os executivos abordaram desafios complexos do setor no Brasil e o papel das novas tecnologias para a integração de energias renováveis e a estabilidade de todo o sistema elétrico. Assista aqui.