The 2,500-strong digital team of GE India Technology Centre is combining data and analytics with machines and systems to help customers solve real world problems like forecasting wind speed or increase efficiencies in coal plants.

Through such innovative technologies, the digital team is playing a key role in helping GE achieve its target to generate $15 billion in revenue from its newly created business vertical — GE Digital, by 2020.

Coal plant solution Last month, GE signed an MoU with TAQA Neyveli Power Company to pilot its first Digital Coal Plant solution, which was developed end-to-end from ‘coal mine to chimney stack ecosystem’ out of Bengaluru. TAQA has shared the plant operating and technical data of its 250 MW coal-fired plant in Neyveli, Tamil Nadu and has identified three outcomes that it wants GE’s solution to address.

“This is one of the GE’s global pilots for coal-fired plants that was developed in India, where we will co-develop solutions based on customer requirements over the next 6-12 months. We are providing Asset Performance Management and Operations Optimisation digital suites to help TAQA reduce carbon emissions while generating the same amount of energy; help to achieve improvement in plant heat rate; reduction in forced plant outages and provide visibility, insights and actions to help TAQA align operational practices with business outcomes,” Munesh G Makhija, Vice-President & Managing Director, GE India Technology Centre and CTO – GE South Asia, told BusinessLine .

GE’s total portfolio of software and solutions delivered over $5 billion in revenue in 2015 and the company is looking to tap an addressable global market opportunity of $225 billion.

Wind energy Another big area of innovation out of India for GE’s Digital business is Wind Energy. Stating that wind speeds in India are lower than what is prevalent elsewhere in the world, Makhija said, “at the same time, digital tools like wind forecasting are less developed in India.

“Along with the physical made-for-India wind turbines that we have designed specifically for Indian conditions, our team has developed digital tools like a wind speed forecasting app which provides 95 per cent accuracy – 8 points better than anybody else in the country. This is important because the wind producers have to actually provide in 15 minute intervals up to three hours in advance, what they are going to put out on the grid.”

Key revenue contributor

Asked how much the India Technology Centre would contribute to GE’s $15 billion targeted revenue from its Digital business by 2020, Makhija said, “In terms of developing technology, the India team’s contribution is very significant. However, in terms of customers we will sell our solutions to, the TAQA pilot is one, and many more should follow, as we continue to innovate.”

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