Electronics Protection - Fall 2016 - 19

Application Feature GE has provided the electric power solutions for many previous Olympic Games, beginning with the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games. What lessons from past experiences did GE bring to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games? Elson: We worked closely with our GE Energy Connections team in Europe that managed the London 2012 Olympic Games to understand requirements, processes, timelines and how to build strong relationships with various Olympic Games' Organizing Committees. This information was extremely helpful in taking power protection solutions designed for the London 2012 and adapting them for the Brazilian market. Of course, there are some changes in scope that were unique to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, such as varying requirements for uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems based on changing power load requirements and meeting local code requirements. In these cases, we engaged with the customer to develop electrical solutions to meet changing needs, comply with Brazilian standards and even to accommodate local climate conditions. Are there new technologies or approaches to power distribution and protection that were used at these Olympic Games for the first time? Elson: Yes. At the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, we deployed our new GE TLE UPS line of power protection and backup devices - specifically at the IBC. This technology delivers new approaches to efficiency, reliability and space savings. We also deployed a new modular power system with flexible, containerized and redundant power protection that provides a quick way to add power capacity to existing facilities. Are there particular processes, tools or sets of guidelines you follow in developing the overall architecture and plans for a project of this scope? Thiago: Yes. Our team has a process for project management based on PMP (project management professional) guidelines that includes milestones for each step of the project, the activities that should be performed by the team, the goals and deliverables of each phase and a checklist of all items that should be completed in each phase. This helps keep our team aligned to key goals and milestones and builds stronger collaboration throughout the process. We begin with a design management tool that lets us create digital drawings for all our systems and generates a comprehensive bill of materials. This greatly speeds up our design and procurement process. Overall, we use project management software that is regularly updated to meet customer, supply chain and supplier needs. We also employ a comprehensive cost and inventory tool to streamline all elements of the project. How did GE coordinate its global resources - from planning and specification, to logistics and deployment - to prepare for the Olympic Games? As part of the power systems project for the Olympic IBC, nine GE team members, each with very specialized skills, came together in Brazil for 10 days for a very productive, multidisciplinary deployment initiative. www.ElectronicsProtectionMagazine.com * Fall 2016 19 http://www.ElectronicsProtectionMagazine.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Electronics Protection - Fall 2016