Alstom event reversal? The United States banned the import of some wind turbines, and the winner was General Electric

In a statement posted on its website on Tuesday, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) said Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy SA had infringed a patent by General Electric that prevented some of the company's products from entering the United States.

The ITC said Siemens Gamesa infringed on a patent by GE that expires in May 2023. The ITC has ordered a ban on the import of some wind turbine components involved in the patent until the patent expires.

(Source: ITC)

The patent covers a technique known as "low voltage ride-through" where wind turbines can maintain connectivity to the grid without being damaged during voltage fluctuations. Without this technology, the turbines would be disconnected from the grid.

While the ITC's statement also confirmed that some of Siemens Gamesa's new turbines were not patent-infringing and could continue to be imported, the ruling gave GE the opportunity to bid more of its U.S. wind business in the coming year, arguably a "strategic victory" for GE.

The U.S. will invest heavily in renewables this year and next year to reduce emissions, and the ITC ban could give GE a head start in the market.

GE Renewable Energy said it was pleased with the infringement determination and import ban. "GE will continue to protect its intellectual property rights and will drive innovation and investment in high-tech industries and create high-value jobs," the company said in a statement. ”

Siemens Gamesa reiterated that none of the company's products infringe on third-party intellectual property rights. The company has warned that GE's victory will have a profound impact on the wind turbine market. Siemens Gamesa is also seeking broad exemptions, including repair parts and turbines that have been ordered but not yet installed.

Siemens Gamesa once told itC, "Gebra, if it wins, will not only weaken operators' ability to supply power to U.S. consumers, but also deprive these operators of the ability to recoup billions of dollars in equipment investment." ”

Through litigation, GE has successfully obtained royalties for the patent from other companies. Vestas Wind Systems A/S and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. agreed to a payment settlement earlier after being sued by GE.