[The Vector] GE: Engaging Employees in an Eco Treasure Hunt
General Electric (GE) has some exciting things going on. GE is a top 10 world manufacturer of wind turbines, and is active in renewable energy efforts on several fronts. Many have heard the recent announcement of the GE WattStation. For electric vehicles to advance in the U.S., to be used easily and accepted, the infrastructure has to be in place and available – and that includes availability of chargers. GE is, in fact, a technical advisor for Project Get Ready, a non-profit initiative led by the Rocky Mountain Institute. Project Get Ready is all about helping communities prepare for use of electric vehicles on a larger scale. In order to accomplish widespread use and adoption of EVs, charging stations and the grid must be readied and prepared properly. The GE WattStation is part of this plan.
GE’s charger was designed by Yves Behar and will be available globally in 2011 to recharge electric cars. They came up with designs for home use and street use, interior and exterior use, wall mounts and pedestal mounts. The chargers include LED lights and vehicle to charger communication. GE says that the charge time is about 4 to 8 hours, as opposed to the more typical 12 hours charge-time required today.
GE also recently launched EcoImagination. GE has teamed up with some well-known venture capital firms (including Emerald Technology Ventures, Foundation Capital, KPCB and Rockport Capital) for this $200 million project. Anyone and everyone is invited to submit projects and ideas to further our renewable energy world – and the idea might get funded. Take a look at the website and join to follow ideas, weigh in and even vote! The three categories in their call to action include:
- Renewable Energy
- Grid Efficiency
- EcoHomes / EcoBuildings
What about Eco Treasure Hunts? GE found an innovative way to help companies, businesses and schools find energy savings and solutions to conserve. GE reports it has had significant success in reducing its own companywide energy intensity by 37%. Over 200 internal treasure hunts have been performed across all GE businesses with $150 million in savings opportunities identified.
The Eco Treasure Hunt is described as a discovery process with employees and external experts with the goal to save money on energy, minimize greenhouse emissions and conserve natural resources. It believes a “bottom-up” process with those who know the buildings and business, working in concert with experts gets better results than a simple “top down” energy audit. GE facilitates.
