Maui Smart Grid to Mobilize a Mix of Grid Technologies to Help Manage Grid Operations

GE-led technology rollout will show what future Smart Grid looks like, help
Hawaii integrate more renewable energy and manage peak circuit loads
MAUI, Hawaii--(Business Wire)--
GE is working with the Maui Electric Company to utilize distributed energy
resources to help manage grid operations on the island of Maui. In partnership
with the Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO), Maui Electric Company (MECO), the
Hawaii Natural Energy Institute (HNEI) of the University of Hawaii and the U.S.
Department of Energy, GE has formally launched the Maui Smart Grid project which
will develop and demonstrate the use of smart grid technologies to help MECO
control peak circuit demand, maintain adequate circuit voltage levels, and
integrate intermittent renewable energy resources.

"While wind power has been around for some time, relying on a high percentage of
wind for day-to-day power generation has been impossible. Wind availability is
too unpredictable and uncontrollable," said Juan de Bedout, global technology
leader for power conversion systems at GE Global Research. "The Maui Smart Grid
Project will develop grid communications and controls that will assist MECO in
the coordination of distributed resources, such as distributed generation,
energy storage, voltage controls and residential loads, to help integrate
unprecedented levels of wind and solar power into the island`s power grid."

GE`s Smart Grid management tools will include advanced communications,
automation and control technologies and possibly an energy storage system. The
management system will control and dispatch several types of power system
equipment, customer loads, and energy storage to compensate for sudden changes
in wind power and circuit loads.

"Hawaii has phenomenal wind and solar energy potential, so incorporating higher
percentages of renewable power makes perfect sense," said Bob Gilligan, vice
president of GE Energy`s transmission and distribution business. "GE Energy`s
smart grid technologies will help MECO reliably manage and integrate these
renewable energy sources, while increasing the grid`s energy productivity and
efficiency."

"We are strongly committed to meeting our state`s clean energy goals," said Ed
Reinhardt, president of Maui Electric Company. "As we move toward using more
renewable energy, balancing system reliability and power quality is a top
priority at MECO. Partnering with companies such as GE, that are committed to
updating our grid infrastructure, is critical to developing the technology
solutions to get us there."

The island of Maui already meets the definition of high-penetration renewable
power. With a peak load of around 200 MW on the island, up to 30 MW can come
from wind energy. Right now Maui receives nearly 10% of its energy from wind,
with plans to add even more wind-powered generation energy in the future. Even
at just 10%, issues with grid reliability can arise due to minute-to-minute wind
fluctuations. This project`s smart grid technologies will help integrate more
renewable energy into Maui`s power system.

About GE Global Research

GE Global Research was the first industrial research lab in the United States
and is one of the world's most diversified research centers, providing
innovative technology for all of GE's businesses. Global Research has been the
cornerstone of GE technology for more than 100 years, developing breakthrough
innovations in areas such as medical imaging, energy generation, jet engines,
advanced materials and lighting. GE Global Research is headquartered in
Niskayuna, New York and has facilities in Bangalore, India; Shanghai, China; and
Munich, Germany. Visit GE Global Research at www.ge.com/research.

About GE Energy

GE Energy (www.ge.com/energy) is one of the world`s leading suppliers of power
generation and energy delivery technologies, with 2008 revenue of $29.3 billion.
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, GE Energy works in all areas of the energy industry
including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as
water, wind, solar and biogas; and other alternative fuels. Numerous GE Energy
products are certified under ecomagination, GE`s corporate-wide initiative to
aggressively bring to market new technologies that will help customers meet
pressing environmental challenges.

About GE

GE (NYSE: GE) is a diversified global infrastructure, finance and media company
that is built to meet essential world needs. From energy, water, transportation
and health to access to money and information, GE serves customers in more than
100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. GE is Imagination
at Work. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com.

About MECO

Maui Electric Company (MECO) has been an integral part of the Maui County
community powering homes and businesses for over 85 years. A subsidiary of
Hawaiian Electric Company, MECO provides electricity to more than 67,000
customers on the islands of Maui, Lana`i, and Moloka`i. MECO is strongly
committed to providing reliable service and reducing Hawaii`s dependence on
imported oil. Maui County achieved a Renewable Portfolio Standard of over 20% in
part by using wind generation. For more information, visit us at
www.mauielectric.com.

GE Media:
Todd Alhart, 518-387-7914
alhart@research.ge.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009