GE Power & Water
Distributed Power
Waukesha
Jenbach
Stuart
Jenbacher natural gas-powered
generating sets create energy
project precedent for commercial
building sector in South Africa
ABSA Bank Towers West cogeneration plant
Johannesburg, South Africa
Combined heat and power system producing electricity and steam
Back in 2006, ABSA Bank began researching the complete range of power generation options for the 15-story Towers West
flagship complex it would build in Johannesburg, South Africa. The growing cost of power and the frequency of power outages
in South Africa have prompted many businesses in the country to look for more efficient and economical alternative energy
solutions. ABSA’s exploration of that approach led it to put a power plant in the basement of the complex and run it on four
of GE’s ecomagination-qualified J620 Jenbacher natural gas-powered generator sets.
With overall electrical and thermal outputs of about 12 MWel. and 5.5 MWth., respectively, the Jenbacher units produce less than
half the carbon dioxide per kWh than the coal-fired plants that are South Africa’s main energy generators. Additional heating and
cooling for Towers West will come from waste heat captured from the generating sets through processes that will cut CO2₂
emissions even more. By reducing its carbon footprint in these ways, ABSA can sell carbon credits.
The combined power generation and heat recovery station – the first of its kind for a financial industry building in South Africa –
operates in tandem with the city’s power grid to ease power demand at Towers West during peak periods and furnish standby
power during power outages. GE’s solution also dovetails with South Africa’s push for energy efficiency.
“By expanding the use of cleaner, distributed energy technologies to enhance local energy reliability, South Africa is continuing to
make great strides in addressing the country’s ongoing energy supply issues,” said Jay Wileman, region executive of Sub-Saharan
Africa for GE Energy.
GE Power & Water
Distributed Power
Customer advantages:
- Eases power demand during peak periods
- Emits less than half the CO2₂discharged by a coal-fired power plant
- Recaptures waste heat for heating and cooling
Key technical data:
Number and type of units
Electrical output
Thermal output
Commissioning
4 x J620 of GE’s Jenbacher natural gas-powered generator sets
~ 12 MW
~ 5.5 MW
2010
www.ge-distributedpower.com
GE Power & Water’s Distributed Power business is a leading provider
of power equipment, engines and services, focused on power
generation at or near the point of use. Distributed Power’s product
portfolio includes highly efficient industrial reciprocating engines
and aeroderivative gas turbines that generate 100 kW to 100 MW
of power for numerous industries globally.
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We provide lifecycle support for more than 37,000 aeroderivative gas
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Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Distributed Power
employs about 5,000 people around the world.
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Jenbacher gas engines Austria (Main Production Facility)
6200 Jenbach, Austria
T +43 5244 600-0
www.ge-distributedpower.com