Engineering news
GE Power Conversion has opened its Global Technical Learning Centre in Berlin, which aims to provide a hands on learning environment and direct contact with product developers. The centre is an extension of GE's aim to more efficiently manage power conversion and help to drive the electric transformation of the world's energy infrastructure.
In the opening event entitled Power Conversion Electrifying Innovation 2015, GE analysed the challenges and opportunities of the electrification pathway and the role that R&D will play in its future.
An educational hub
“As we push the boundaries of innovation, we have the responsibility to provide the best possible training infrastructure to facilitate a high quality of innovation,” said Joe Mastrangelo, chief executive, GE Power Conversion at the event. “Our training centre will not only provide technical training but will also act as a venue for leadership training and team building exercises, and is a concrete step towards boosting GE and the wider industry to greater heights.”
The 2,500m² centre is located next to GE’s largest factory in Germany, and will facilitate both internal GE training sessions and external technical training for businesses across industries. In addition to providing companies with a training facility, the centre will also deliver dedicated leadership learning programmes.
Thorsten Helmert, Lean Leader, GE Power Conversion, said: “We are excited to introduce our state of the art learning centre. Berlin is one of the commercial hubs of Europe and its location next to our factory makes it ideal for practical and experiential learning. We are committed to providing the best training facilities and creating a holistic environment where learning comes naturally.”
With the renewables industry competing with traditional power generation, the centre will act as an innovation hub for GE to develop multiple power convention technologies. Jeff Immelt, GE chairman and chief executive said: “We think we can be even better with more German leadership in our power conversion business. The future of the power business is about technology and business model innovation and we are big enough that we can place bets across multiple solutions. It is very difficult to predict where in the future energy conversion is going to be the most successful, so innovation and R&D is really crucial to the business and the future of energy.”
Speaking at the event, Cornelia Yzer, senator for economics, technology and research of the state of Berlin, said: “I applaud GE’s decision to give Berlin yet another thrust at one of its prime business locations in Germany. We are proud to host the Global Technical Learning Centre and are looking forward to welcoming the company’s technology experts in the German capital. The €1.3 million the state of Berlin committed to training, technology and jobs at GE Power Conversion will turn out to be an excellent and sustainable investment in the City’s future."