John Rice, General Electric: 'We live in a world in which integrated solutions will play an ever-greater role'

The gas-turbine plant efficiency in Tatarstan will be a record

John, you've visited the site of the Kazan CHP-3 power plant, where a large-scale GE project is being implemented. What are your impressions based on what you saw? Is the construction of the gas turbine power unit going according to plan?

The project is truly large-scale. I am impressed by the speed and quality of the construction. This will be a powerful, modern, and safe plant based on advanced world-class technologies. It will be equipped by GE's most efficient gas turbine in the world. I would like to note that the success of projects like this depends not only on high-tech solutions, but also on the smooth and efficient work of the partners involved. The teams at TAIF, GE, TGK-16, and GAMA are doing everything to ensure the project is completed on time and at the highest level of quality.

By your estimate, how will the launch of this new gas turbine power block help solve the energy deficit in Kazan and Tatarstan?

Kazan is a large city with developed industry and a growing population that needs reliable power infrastructure. The CHP-3 power plant will meet these demanding requirements by utilizing the 9HA turbine, which is the most efficient on the market. This is not just a huge, powerful machine, it's a new era in power plants, a revolution in thermal power generation. Modernizing the CHP-3 plant will increase the efficiency of the plant and meet the growing power needs of residents and industrial businesses in Kazan.

'I am impressed by the speed and quality of the construction. This will be a powerful, modern, and safe plant based on advanced world-class technologies. It will be equipped by GE's most efficient gas turbine in the world.'

Cloud-based medicine

At the recent economic forum in St. Petersburg, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov met with representatives of GE Healthcare in Russia/CIS. They discussed potentially equipping medical institutions in the republic with high-tech diagnostic equipment. What specific equipment is under consideration?

GE is one of the world's leading manufacturers of diagnostic equipment. Our product line includes x-ray, ultrasound, CT, and MRI equipment that can meet up to 70% of the needs of a modern medical clinic for high-quality medical equipment. We are productively working with partners across Russia, including in Tatarstan.

Our equipment is working in several clinics in Kazan. For example, the dispensary of the republic's oncology clinic is equipped with GE's latest positron emission tomograph. And we want to do more for the region. Our company has unique expertise in improving the efficiency of hospitals with modern IT solutions. We also provide clinical training for doctors and management education programs for healthcare leaders.

What innovative solutions in healthcare are now in most demand?

One of the major challenges facing the majority of countries in which we operate is ensuring access to quality healthcare for people living in remote areas, far from major population centers. GE's equipment, including portable devices, and advanced cloud-based IT services, enable the creation of patient databases and services to be provided in the most remote areas.

'One of the major challenges facing the majority of countries in which we operate is ensuring access to quality healthcare for people living in remote areas, far from major population centers.'

Can you please tell us how these technologies work?

As an example, in Indonesia there are 250 million people, or in the Philippines there are 100 million, and there are thousands of islands that do not have general practitioners or obstetricians. They only have junior medical personnel. Our portable equipment allows for on-site accurate diagnosis of patients. For example, the results of an ultrasound of a pregnant woman can be sent by email to radiologists at a large medical center.

Russia's geography also means there are a large number of remote communities where the problem of receiving quality healthcare is also acute. The people living there deserve the same quality care as residents in large cities.

Tatarstan is a key region for Russia and a key region for GE

In 2015, GE and Genco signed a 16-year service contract for the Kazan CHP-2 power plant. During that visit, you discussed the creation of a joint service center with TAIF for power plants in Tatarstan. What are the challenges and peculiarities of providing services for large industrial facilities?

GE's service solutions enable our customers to optimize their operating expenses, increase equipment reliability through continuous monitoring and diagnostics, and provide priority access to data in the case of emergencies. Moreover, our service contracts make it possible to achieve better results in terms of planning costs and providing extended warranties.

'Given the scale of our joint projects in Tatarstan, we are in discussions with the leadership of TAIF on the prospects of establishing a service center in Tatarstan. In the near future, we will create a working group to comprehensively examine the feasibility of this project.'

Innovative equipment requires a fundamentally new approach in terms of operations. GE is a world leader in digital service solutions. GE's advanced technologies allow real-time monitoring of equipment status based on the storage and analysis of «big data» coming from installed sensors. These technologies are already widely used in Russia, improving efficiency and reducing downtime. For example, in June this year we signed an agreement with Novatek to service the Yamal LNG plant for 25 years.

Reducing downtime is one the top goals of on-the-ground professional services. In this context, GE's strategy is aimed at localizing our service capabilities in Russia. Our Energy Technology Center in Kaluga has over 5 years of experience in the repair and maintenance of GE power equipment. Given the scale of our joint projects in Tatarstan, we are in discussions with the leadership of TAIF on the prospects of establishing a service center in Tatarstan. In the near future, we will create a working group to comprehensively examine the feasibility of this project.

In Russia, GE is not only supplying equipment and technology but also establishing joint ventures. Can you tell us about the prospects of GE's cooperation with Tatarstan?

This is my second visit to Tatarstan in the last 9 months. I like how dynamically this region is developing — Tatarstan has huge potential going forward. This is a key region for Russia and a key region for GE. We are proud to participate together with our strategic partners in solving some of the most important infrastructure challenges in Tatarstan and we look forward to further strengthening our mutually beneficial strategic cooperation with TAIF. We are currently discussing projects in the oil & gas and petrochemical industries, as well as modernizing power infrastructure.

'In general, I think that we live in a world where an ever greater role will be played by integrated solutions based on digital technologies, combining professional expertise and innovations across multiple industries.'

Where in your opinion is global power technology headed? What are the most promising energy innovations?

In my opinion, there are several very important trends on the global power market. The first is the increasing productivity of existing businesses through the application of advanced digital solutions. At GE we are already seeing how digital technology can radically change efficiencies in the energy market, including in traditional generation and the oil & gas sector. Second, there is also a strengthening of the market for renewable energy sources, including wind power and solar energy.

I also think that the growth of gas generation will continue across the world. Coal generation will also be modernized with new technologies. In many countries existing power plants have been operating for over 30 or 40 years, and their efficiencies are quite low. It's necessary to improve their efficiency and lower their environmental impact.

In general, I think that we live in a world where an ever greater role will be played by integrated solutions based on digital technologies, combining professional expertise and innovations across multiple industries.