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204 • Green Project Management

director of data services, calls “air-side economization.” The data center
utilizes Ireland’s unique cool climate by using outside air to cool their
data center.
We have provided information on a very few of the many companies
who are looking at their projects through an environmental lens and
more. The information is intended to give you examples of ways to help
green your projects and organizations, and to be able to view your projects
through the environmental lens that makes these companies so effective
in their efforts.

general eleCtriC

A discussion of companies that are at the top of their “green” game would
not be complete without a discussion of GE and ecomagination. Who can
forget the catchy ads and imbedded messages? But it is certainly more than
just catchy ads; ecomagination is a program that is consistent with GE’s
mission “to earn the best possible returns for our shareowners by solv-
ing big problems like improving energy efficiency and reducing environ-
mental impact.” With its roots in the Edison General Electric Company,
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founded in 1890 by Thomas Edison, GE is today a company with revenues
for the first quarter of 2010 of $36.8 billion, with a worldwide workforce of
more than 300,000 employees.
So how are they “greening” themselves? As we’ve said before, greening
is about sustainability, and sustainability includes the triple bottom line—
people, profits, and planet. Solar energy plays a large role in the reduc-
tion of GE’s energy costs (profits) and reducing their carbon footprint
(planet). According to their Web site (http://www.ge.com/innovation/ghg/
index.html), GE has invested more than $2 billion to date in an effort to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE). Their solar project, beginning
at their world headquarters in Fairfield, Connecticut, is slated to advance
to 30 worldwide locations. At the headquarters, GE installed 168 kilowatts
of solar generating capability. Since they are deploying their own technol-
ogy, it is also an example of a company “walking the walk.”
In addition to the solar initiative, GE has more than 84 projects sched-
uled to change out their old lighting with new, more energy-efficient T5
and T8 bulbs (LED tube lights). These projects will reduce energy costs
(profits), reduce their carbon footprint (planet), and where they have been