GE unit to auction transmission capacity from Its Linden Variable Frequency transformer smart grid project

Thursday, Feb 14, 2013

GE (NYSE: GE) unit GE Energy Financial Services announced today that it will auction 15 megawatts of bi-directional electricity transfer capacity across its Linden, NJ, Variable Frequency Transformer (VFT) smart grid project, which uses GE technology to enable a simple and controlled transmission path between electrical grids.

GE Energy Financial Services will hold the auction in April to sell 15 megawatts of transmission scheduling rights. The scheduling rights will become available on July 1, 2013, and last through October 31, 2014. The project’s customers can use these rights to sell power capacity and energy sourced in the PJM Interconnection, LLC (PJM) regional control area, the largest centrally dispatched electric grid in the world, into the New York Independent System Operator, Inc. (NYISO) regional control area. Linden VFT customers also can route energy from NYISO to the PJM Interconnection.

The Linden VFT smart grid project is located at the intersection of the New York City (NYISO Zone J) and PJM power grids and is capable of transferring 315 megawatts of capacity, enough for up to 315,000 homes. The project is adjacent to GE Energy Financial Services’ 900-megawatt Linden cogeneration power plant.

Linden VFT commenced commercial operation in late 2009 and has demonstrated the flexibility to flow power in both directions between the NYISO and PJM power grids. The variable frequency transformers provide a precise control path between electrical grids, permitting power exchanges that were previously impossible because of technical constraints. They enable transmission system operators at PJM and NYISO to control power flows with high reliability, speed and efficiency, while offering flexibility in how growing energy demand is met. The reliable power flow also provides customers with more diverse and lower-cost power sources.

GE Energy Financial Services will hold an “open season” to allocate the transmission scheduling rights, which entitle Linden VFT’s customers to determine use of the project. To learn more, visit www.lindenvftauction.com. Questions can be directed to linden-vft-iam@brattle.com. The Brattle Group is managing the open season for GE Energy Financial Services.

Source: Business Wire