Speaker: Eric Gebhardt, GE Energy. Abstract: This presentation will discuss the history and future of GE gas-fired power plants. The evolution of the GE gas turbine product line and combined cycle power plant designs will be reviewed. The influence on technology development due to shifting market needs, disruptive technology introduction, and global legislation will also be discussed. Finally, the current transformation of the entire energy system to a "Smart Grid" will be presented, with particular focus on the role of gas-fired power plants in this emerging space.
About the Speaker: Eric Gebhardt serves as Senior General Manager, Energy Services Engineering for GE Energy. He leads a global team of 2,500 engineers for the company's Energy Services business, a leading supplier of power generation, transmission and distribution technology, services and management systems. Prior to this, he served as General Manager of Engineering for GE Energy's Wind business. His career with GE Energy began in 1991 when he joined the company as a field engineer performing initial commissioning, upgrading and operating power plants across the world. In 1999, Mr. Gebhardt became General Manager of Product Service leading to his appointment in 2001 as Quality Leader for GE Energy's Services business. In 2003, Mr. Gebhardt was promoted to General Manager of Technology for GE Energy's Optimization and Control business. Mr. Gebhardt is a board member for FIRST Robotics of Georgia and the Technology Association of Georgia, he is the GE university executive for his alma mater, the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering.