A quick quiz: what’s the difference between energy conservation and energy efficiency?

Energy conservation is about taking action to reduce consumption, such as setting your thermostat higher during summer, using fewer lights at home and driving a smaller car. By contrast, energy efficiency is about using technologies and solutions that deliver the same benefit — i.e., a cool, well-lighted home — while using less power. Examples include LED light bulbs, double-paned glass and smart building management systems.

In industrial settings, the savings from energy efficiency technologies can be even more dramatic. For example, GE estimates that if its customers applied its energy efficiency solutions across the entire GE gas turbine fleet in the Middle East, the cost savings to operators would be more than US$ 50 billion.

From strengthening efficiency at the plant level to reducing gas turbine fuel consumption, GE is focused on delivering solutions to support the region’s power generation sector. Supporting energy-sector efficiency is part of GE’s contribution to sustainable development across the region.

GE is presenting a range of hardware and software solutions — from H-class gas turbines that enable 61% net efficiency to Predictivity solutions that harness the Industrial Internet to help plants enhance operations — during WETEX 2015, which begins today. GE is a Gold Sponsor of the three-day event.

Among the solutions GE is displaying at its stand that can support UAE power and water producers is the Advanced Gas Path (AGP) solution. AGP, which has already been implemented by key UAE customers, can deliver increased output and higher fuel efficiency, as well as longer maintenance intervals.

Another solutions on display is the 9E Power LifeMax upgrade solution that pushes the boundaries of efficiency and reliability. The Power FlexEfficiency solution for F-class turbines is a customizable upgrade that adds functionality, flexibility and performance to GE gas turbines.

GE’s heavy-duty 9HA gas turbine provides the most cost-effective conversion of fuel to power in the 50 Hz H-class. Combined-cycle plants with these turbines achieve more than 61% net and 62% gross combined-cycle efficiency, based on industry estimates.

Another power generation solution is the ecomagination-qualified FlexEfficiency 50 Combined-Cycle Power Plant is the most flexible and most efficient power plant of its kind with the capability to reach greater than 61 per cent thermal efficiency. It is ideally suited for the region’s energy sector combining record-breaking efficiency with reduced emissions and unprecedented flexibility.

Among the key Industrial Internet technologies being presented are the Predictivity suite of solutions, which harness the capabilities of big data and advanced analytics to deliver solutions that enable GE’s power generation customers to operate more efficiently, dynamically and profitably. Since 2012, GE has released 40 Industrial Internet solutions, many already being applied across the wider region, especially in countries that face acute power shortage.

GE has played an instrumental role in driving the growth and efficient operation of varied business sectors across the UAE. In the utilities sector, more than 150 million liters of water in the UAE are treated daily using GE technologies, and more than 400 GE turbines support the generation of 40% of the country’s electricity. GE is also building strong local competencies through its ecomagination Innovation Center at Masdar City in Abu Dhabi and the expansion of the GE Water & Process Technologies Center of Excellence at the Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai.