GE Vernova Inc. and Amazon Web Services (AWS), a subsidiary of Amazon, have established a strategic framework agreement (SFA) to support in expanding AWS’s global data centers. The collaboration aims to boost energy consumption, strengthen grid security, and advance decarbonization efforts in electric power systems.

Collaborating towards a Sustainable Future

The new deal will see GE Vernova supply energy solutions to AWS for the purpose of electrifying and decarbonizing data centers all over the world. GE Vernova will deliver turnkey substation solutions to AWS to facilitate seamless connectivity between AWS data centers and the grid. This will include the development of critical electrical infrastructure and providing project management and construction assistance for multiple AWS data center locations. Additionally, the engineering teams of both companies will collaborate to streamline the design and delivery of substation systems.

Growing Renewable Energy and Innovation

Under the collaboration, GE Vernova will also help AWS develop renewable energy projects, specifically for onshore wind project commercialization. As part of renewable energy endeavors, GE Vernova and AWS will also seek additional opportunities for GE Vernova to provide power generation equipment and services to AWS. The partnership will promote innovation, research, and financing for the energy transition through GE Vernova’s accelerator businesses, such as research and consulting services.

Pablo Koziner, Chief Commercial Officer of GE Vernova,stated that the collaboration with AWS to advance their computing capabilities and data center capacity is a great opportunity. He stated that GE Vernova, with its wide range of energy products and services, is well positioned to help AWS secure reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable electricity for its data centers, supporting their growth objectives. He also acknowledged the value of working strategically with a company that embraces innovative solutions and strong collaboration.

Cloud Collaboration to Drive Digital Transformation

Additionally, AWS will help GE Vernova with cloud migration, using AI and HPC to improve systems, processes, and sustainability efforts. This partnership will optimize development cycles, scale operations, and improve efficiencies.

AWS and GE Vernova will also investigate new ways to collaborate in AI, big data, and data analytics to foster innovation. This partnership will support GE Vernova’s operational goals and enhance digital processes through AWS’s scalable, flexible cloud infrastructure.

Also read: GE Vernova announces milestone gas turbine and services deal for Saudi Arabian Power Expansion

Supporting the Energy Sector with Digital Solutions

The collaboration includes AWS supporting GE Vernova’s Electrification Software, deploying tools like GridOS and Asset Performance Management on the cloud. These solutions, hosted on AWS Cloud, aim to enhance the efficiency and reliability of energy infrastructure for utilities and industrial sectors.

This agreement strengthens past collaborations, with GE Vernova’s software solutions already hosted on AWS Cloud for improved operations. These collaborations help electric utilities, energy organizations, and manufacturers achieve more sustainable and efficient operations.

INERATEC, a leading sustainable e-Fuel producer, secured a €40 million venture debt loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and a €30 million grant from Breakthrough Energy Catalyst. This €70 million will go toward building Europe’s largest green e-Fuel production facility in Frankfurt and supporting critical research on aviation decarbonization.

Major Investment to Accelerate e-Fuel Production

In Luxembourg, at the EIB-Group-Forum, officials announced new funding, pointing towards the potential of e-Fuels to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors like air transport. The funding will help INERATEC increase manufacturing capacity and accelerate commercialization of its Power-to-Liquid technology. Power-to-Liquid technology converts green hydrogen and CO2 into synthetic aviation fuel, a step closer to a carbon-neutral world.

Shaping Energy Production with Power-to-Liquid Technology

INERATEC’s production process employs hydrogen mixed with CO2 sourced from biogenic origins, such as industrial waste or biogas facilities. The process converts material into synthetic crude oil, which is subsequently processed into clean sustainable fuels in the form of SAF, marine fuel, and e-Diesel.The process reduces the overall carbon footprint of the produced fuels by using CO2 that would otherwise be emitted into the environment.

The Frankfurt plant will employ CO2 from a local biogas plant as well as hydrogen from a nearby factory that produces chlorine. This, in addition to being sustainable, enables scalable and flexible production in INERATEC’s versatile modular units.

Addressing Market Demand through Scalable Solutions

INERATEC has already proven its technology at pilot and demonstration plant scales and now concentrates on upscaling production to address the increasing market demand. The new capital will enable INERATEC to provide commercial-scale production, providing a reliable supply of e-Fuels to industries requiring sustainable energy solutions. The plant will have the capacity to produce up to 2,500 tons of e-Fuel per year, mainly for the aviation industry.

The possible influence is considerable. An intercontinental flight from Frankfurt to New York uses approximately 80 tons of fossil kerosene for the trip. INERATEC’s e-SAF can replace fossil kerosene in routes like this, at least partially or entirely, and make air travel more environmentally friendly.

The European Union’s ReFuelEU Aviation regulation that obliges airlines to use at least 1.2% e-SAF by 2030 is creating additional prospects in the market of e-Fuel.

Also read: EIB and Breakthrough Energy Invest €70 Million in INERATEC’s E-Fuel Plant

INERATEC’s collaboration with Breakthrough Energy Catalyst underscores the significance of public-private collaborations in driving the clean energy transition. The EU’s InvestEU programme, supported by the EU Emissions Trading System, funds INERATEC, propelling clean energy technology like hydrogen production.

Nicola Beer, EIB Vice-President, stated that the EIB is committed to fostering a competitive net-zero economy, particularly in hard-to-decarbonize sectors like aviation. She explained that through partnerships like the EU-Breakthrough Catalyst initiative, they are supporting the green transition for transport and helping to make e-Fuel prices more affordable.

The EIB also supports clean energy technologies, including hydrogen electrolysis projects, like the one with Dresden’s Sunfire start-up. INERATEC and Sunfire collaborated in 2019 to showcase producing e-Fuels sustainably from air-captured CO2 and solar energy.