An international study has shown that by 2010, there will be 50,000 hydrogen-powered fuel cell cars worldwide. This number will jump to 500 million by 2040.

In April 2004, seven fuel cell-powered Mercedes A-class cars will make their debut in Singapore as part of a two-year test drive. 

It is probably the first luxury car fitted with fuel cell technology, and it is only being tested in four countries.

These are Germany, the United States, Japan and Singapore.

Dr Andreas Truckenbrodt, Director of Fuel Cell Programme at Daimler Chrysler, said: "Singapore is a very interesting market for us...from the technical point of view, we have very interesting climate condition. The way of driving in Singapore, stop and go, that stuff is very unique and we need to get feedback."

The company plans to loan the cars to private organisations and government agencies for test driving.

It also hopes to use the trial period to debunk notions that hydrogen technology is dangerous.

The environmentally-friendly engine combines hydrogen with air to produce electricity which powers the car.

The by-product? Pure water.

But even then, mass implementation of the technology has its complications.

Dr Chen Ping, Senior Fellow at the National University of Singapore, said: "The first is hydrogen production. The hydrogen price is three times higher than gasoline. Second is the fuel cell. Fuel cells is 10 times more expensive compared with international combustion engines. The third thing is hydrogen storage. Nowadays, the hydrogen storage system cannot meet the practical requirements."

Daimler Chrysler plans to roll out its first fuel cell cars in 2010, and it said prices would be comparable to vehicles with conventional engines.

Increasing fuel cell investment will not only impact energy security and air quality; it could yield nearly 200,000 new jobs in the next 20 years, according to a new study from Breakthrough Technologies Institute.
    
The study, "Fuel Cells at the Crossroads: Attitudes Regarding the Investment Climate for the U.S. Fuel Cell Industry and a Projection of Industry Job Creation Potential," estimates that total employment in the U.S. fuel cell industry in 2002 was approximately 4,500 to 5,500 and could climb to as many as 189,000 by 2021 in direct and indirect job growth as demand grows.
    
The study also concludes that, with the post 2001 decline in risk capital investment in fuel cells and hydrogen, it is crucial for government to increase its support in partnership with industry.
    
Fuel Cells at the Crossroads examines financial community and fuel cell industry views on the current investment climate for the transportation, stationary power generation and portable sectors of the fuel cell industry. It also delves into the investment history of the U.S. fuel cell industry and projects potential future job creation.
   
"The potential for job growth from fuel cells is enormous but not assured," says Robert Rose, executive director of Breakthrough Technologies Institute. "Government has a significant opportunity to support the development of the domestic fuel cell industry; indeed, government's involvement is imperative."
    
The study can be downloaded free of charge at www.fuelcells.org.

Energy Visions Inc. ("EVI") (OTCBB:EGYV) (TSX VENTURE:EVI.S) announced that it has completed its acquisition of shares of Pure Energy Inc. ("PEI"). PEI owns Pure Energy Battery Inc. ("PEBI"), which company is the sole manufacturer of rechargeable alkaline manganese ("RAM(TM)") batteries in Canada and sells its batteries around the world.

The acquisition was effected through the subscription by Energy Ventures Inc. (Canada) ("EVIC"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of EVI, for common shares and convertible preferred shares of PEI. EVIC paid Can. $1,000,000 for 7,097,857 common shares, while the subscription price for 1,000,000 convertible preferred shares, also Can. $1,000,000, was satisfied by the issue of 3,000,000 EVI common shares to PEI. The funds required by EVIC for the purchase of the PEI common shares were borrowed (more detail in following paragraph) from Rabih Holdings Ltd. ("Rabih"), a private Toronto-based company. Prior to the completion of this transaction, Rabih was the controlling shareholder of PEI, and it will continue to have a significant shareholding in PEI. Concurrently with the completion of this transaction, the indebtedness of PEBI to Nova Scotia Business Inc. ("NSBI") was restructured.

The Can. $1,000,000 loan by Rabih to EVIC (the "Loan") bears interest at 10% per annum and is due on October 30, 2005. It is secured by a general security interest on the assets of EVIC, EVI as well as PEBI. As consideration for making the Loan, EVI has issued warrants to Rabih ("Rabih Warrants") entitling Rabih to subscribe for 600,000 EVI common shares at Can. $0.25 per share until October 24, 2005. EVIC has the right to prepay the Loan, and if any portion of the Loan is prepaid within the first year, the same proportion of the Rabih Warrants shall expire earlier, on October 24, 2004.

The indebtedness of PEBI to NSBI was restructured in accordance with the terms established by an Order-in-Council of the Nova Scotia Government passed in June 2002 as well as a loan amending agreement (the "NSBI Loan Amendment") dated October 9, 2003 between NSBI, PEBI and PEI. Pursuant to the NSBI Loan Amendment, Can. $5,500,000 of the remaining indebtedness to NSBI will become interest-free for five years, will thereafter bear interest at 6.5% per annum and is to be repaid over a five year period (commencing at the end of the interest-free period). NSBI received PEI common shares respecting the balance of the PEBI indebtedness to NSBI, (Can. $3,863,258). In accordance with the terms of a subscription agreement, (the "Subscription Agreement"), NSBI subscribed for 4,000,000 common shares of EVI and the subscription price for those shares was satisfied by the transfer to EVIC of the PEI common shares which had been received by NSBI.

Under the Subscription Agreement, NSBI has agreed to exchange Can. $500,000 of the continuing PEBI indebtedness ("Indebtedness") into 500,000 EVI common shares in the future, provided EVI shares attain a share trading level of Can. $1.00 in the next five years. NSBI has also agreed to similarly exchange Can. $1,500,000 of Indebtedness into 750,000 EVI common shares in the future, provided EVI shares attain a share trading level of Can. $2.00; and an additional Can. $1,500,000 of Indebtedness into 500,000 EVI common shares in the future, provided EVI shares attain a share trading level of Can. $3.00, both in the next five years. This may result in the issue to NSBI of up to 1,750,000 additional EVI common shares over that period. In the event that EVI proposes to effect a distribution to the public of its shares, EVI has undertaken to use its best efforts to include in such distribution the EVI common shares held by NSBI.

In November 2002, EVI acquired 1,000,000 convertible preferred shares of PEI in consideration for the issue to PEI of 1,000,000 EVI common shares. EVI has now transferred those preferred shares to EVIC.

It is anticipated that all of the PEI preferred shares now held by EVIC will be converted into common shares prior to October 31, 2003. The common shares of PEI which will then be owned by EVIC, including those acquired from NSBI, together with holdings controlled by D. Wayne Hartford, EVI's CEO and Chairman, will represent 50.5% of the total number of PEI common shares issued and outstanding.

The indebtedness of PEBI to NSBI had been secured, in part, by the guarantee (the "Guarantee") of a subsidiary of Rabih. Such Guarantee, which is limited to Can. $3,000,000, is secured by a charge on the assets of Rabih and such subsidiary. The Guarantee guarantees that NSBI will realize net proceeds from the sale of its 4,000,000 EVI shares of at least Can. $3,000,000 by October 16, 2005. Any liability under the Guarantee is to be paid over a period of three years. EVIC has entered into an Indemnification Agreement with the Rabih subsidiary providing for it to indemnify such subsidiary for any payments made to NSBI under the Guarantee. As security for this indemnification obligation, EVIC has pledged to the Rabih subsidiary all of the PEI shares it owns. The Indemnification Agreement, and the pledge of PEI shares, will terminate when the contingent or actual liability under the Guarantee reduces to Can. $1,500,000.

EVIC and Rabih have entered into a shareholders agreement relating to both PEI and PEBI. The shareholders agreement allocates two directors to Rabih and one to EVIC while the Indemnification Agreement in favour of the Rabih subsidiary remains in effect. Thereafter, EVIC will be allocated a majority of the board. EVI Canada President, Dr. Phil Whiting, Executive Vice President of EVI and President of EVIC, has been appointed President of PEI.

EVI CEO Wayne Hartford said, "EVI's investment in PEI is the first step in EVI's strategic plan for expansion. PEI is a manufacturer and seller of rechargeable alkaline manganese ("RAM(TM)") batteries with the capability of producing over 100 million batteries per year in its modern Nova Scotia plant. The addition of bricks-and-mortar manufacturing moves EVI from being solely an R&D firm to being a product-producing company with a significant revenue stream. Now with sufficient, assured manufacturing capacity, EVI intends to introduce its new Nickel-Zinc battery into a variety of OEM markets. Improvements to PEI's existing RAM(TM) battery line will soon be introduced resulting in the Pure Energy XL battery, providing even better battery performance. We intend to combine our rechargeable battery technologies and direct methanol fuel cell to produce hybrid power systems. The combination of EVI's advanced technologies and PEI's modern manufacturing capability is designed to place us at the forefront of the portable power system industry."

EVIC is also seeking a further investment of up to Can. $1,500,000 under similar financial terms as with Rabih.

Energy Visions Inc. is a developer and manufacturer of advanced battery and fuel cell technologies. 

 Mr. Blaine Froats, Chairman of Alternate Energy Corporation (OTCBB:ARGY) today announced the signing of a consulting agreement with Mr. Bart Siegel, President and owner of Allen Consulting of Greenback, TN.
    
"Mr. Siegel will be responsible for assisting with the plotting and certification of AEC's hydrogen making technology together with other important business initiatives such as process and engineering." Mr. Froats went on to say that, "Mr. Siegel brings the experience of twenty-five years of contracting with companies such as Alcoa Aluminum, Kaiser Aluminum and other major corporations. He has designed and developed new products and has strategic contacts with national organizations such as Oak Ridge National Labs, Battelle Institute, SAIC, Northrop Grumman, Tennessee Valley Authority and National Renewable Energy Laboratory."
    
Mr. Froats stated that, "By continuing to build the foundation by putting in place key experienced individuals such Mr. Siegel, AEC will be in a better position to take full advantage of the potential of its inexpensive hydrogen making system."

Demonstration confirms OEM's commitment to pursue hydrogen-powered fuel cell fleet for on-road applications

Nuvera Fuel Cells announced its automotive fuel cell stack technology was integrated into
2 vehicles by Centro Ricerche Fiat (CRF) and demonstrated by FIAT Auto during a recent presentation of the OEM's fuel cell vehicle prototypes in Milan, Italy. The advanced concept cars, presented by Nevio Di Giusto, Vice President of Product Development for FIAT, included a prototype of the FIAT Seicento employing a 40 kW Nuvera fuel cell stack, as well as a prototype of FIAT's next-generation fuel cell vehicle, the Panda Hydrogen, which featured an advanced Nuvera Andromeda(TM) fuel cell stack concept.
    
The demonstration, which concluded with a "ride and drive" of the fuel cell FIAT Seicento, confirms FIAT's commitment to pursue the development of hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles. Local government officials attending the event included the Honorable Roberto Formigioni, President of the Lombardy Region, the Honorable Altero Matteoli, Minister of the Environment, and Dr. Gabriele Albertini, Mayor of Milan. This announcement follows an earlier sale of 9 Nuvera PEM stacks to CRF that were designed for urban applications such as city vehicles.
   
"We continue to work closely with our automotive partners to advance the commercialization of fuel cell vehicles," said Bill Mitchell, Vice President of Marketing at Nuvera Fuel Cells. "Our metallic bi-polar stacks continue to prove highly effective in meeting the stringent requirements of the automotive industry, making them one of the most reliable, compact, and easiest fuel cell technologies to integrate in a vehicle today."

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) and FuelCell Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq: FCEL) have achieved an important milestone in their partnership with the installation of the largest fuel cell power generation plant in Illinois.  The 250 kilowatt Direct FuelCell (DFC (R)) power plant is now operational and was commissioned today at the Caterpillar Technical Center north of Peoria.   Financial details of the installation were not disclosed.
    
The FuelCell Energy DFC300A power plant, which can supply electricity to more than 250 average American homes, will be connected to the Peoria area electricity grid.  This initiative, under the joint development agreement signed by both companies in April 2002, will allow Caterpillar to utilize the power plant as a demonstration unit for customers, Caterpillar dealers and
development engineers.
    
The alliance agreement between Caterpillar and FuelCell Energy involves the distribution and development of ultra-low emission fuel cell power generation products for industrial and commercial use.   The agreement calls for the companies to jointly develop power plants in the 250 kW to 3 MW size range, incorporating FuelCell Energy's fuel cell module.
    
"We are very pleased to showcase fuel cell power generation technology in Illinois," said Sherril K. West, Caterpillar's Chief Technology Officer.  "We view these power plants as an important addition to Caterpillar's portfolio of distributed generation products.  This installation will demonstrate to prospective customers that fuel cell power plants are ready for commercial
applications, and can be purchased through Caterpillar's world class dealer network."
    
"This installation is part of the continuing commitment of FuelCell Energy and Caterpillar to jointly develop the market for our DFC products," said Jerry D. Leitman, President and CEO of FuelCell Energy, Inc.  "This further demonstrates that our DFC distributed generation solution is ready to meet customers' needs today."
    
In August of this year, Caterpillar and FuelCell Energy announced their first joint sale of a fuel cell power generation plant in the state of California.  The plant will be used by the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts at the Palmdale Water Reclamation Plant in northwest Los Angeles County.

Toyota Motor Corp unveiled its concept car "Fine-N" as a prototype of a fuel-cell hybrid car at the 37th Tokyo Motor Show 2003.

 Toyota's 'Fine-N' 

The most striking characteristic of the car is an increase in the driving range to 500km, almost 1.7 times greater than the range of 300km of its conventional fuel-cell hybrid vehicle (FCHV). 

Two key reasons underlie the extension of the cruising distance. 

First, the company has increased electricity generated per unit mass of hydrogen by improving on ancillary equipment to supply fuel and air. Another key is to increase the pressure in a hydrogen tank from a conventional pressure of 350 to 700 bar. Into the same volume of a hydrogen tank, about 1.5 times more hydrogen can be filled under 700 bar than under 350 bar. This innovation has paved the way for combining both the advantages of saving tank space and increasing the amount of hydrogen in the storage tank. 

As a result, the number of tanks (four with conventional technology) has been reduced to three, with the total amount of stored hydrogen rising as well.

Another major feature of Fine-N is a security system based on face recognition technology for starting the engine. 

This biometric recognition system was originally developed by Omron Corp. 

A driver is identified with data representing facial lines as well as relative locations of the eyes, the nose, and the mouth. 

"If we apply a fingerprint recognition system, drivers in the winter will be forced to remove their gloves when getting inside a car. In contrast, our system allows them to start an engine by just getting behind the wheel," a Toyota official said. However, there is no plan to commercialize this technology, the company said.
                
 Steering wheel                                                                               High-pressure hydrogen tanks 
 

Sumitomo Metal Industries Ltd. said Tuesday it has developed high-quality low-cost stainless steel sheet for use as a fuel cell part. 

Honda Motor Co. adopted the new steel sheet for its recently unveiled next-generation fuel cell, Sumitomo Metal Industries officials said. 

The sheet is used as a separator between hydrogen and oxygen in a fuel cell. Carbon sheet or gilded stainless steel sheet has been used conventionally as a separator, but both have problems in terms of durability and cost. 

For the new stainless steel sheet, Sumitomo Metal developed a technology to make metal substances in stainless steel come up to the surface so that they can cover the surface. The technology will allow cost reduction and mass production. 

Sumitomo Metal and Honda will conduct a joint research to further improve the quality of the sheet and cut production costs, the officials said.

Axpo tests fuel cell system from Sulzer Hexis 

Co-operation agreement signed between Sulzer Hexis and Axpo

Within the framework of its planning for the future, the Axpo Group is also testing the decentralized use of fuel cells as systems for the cogeneration of electricity and heat. To this end, the utility and Sulzer Hexis Ltd have signed a co-operation agreement. 

The agreement calls for Axpo Holding AG to test an already delivered pre-series fuel cell system from Sulzer Hexis in a virtual single-family test home on the premises of the Electricity Works of the Canton of Zürich. The goal of the two-year pilot trials is to gain near-practice operating experience. At the same time, the trials will provide Axpo with valuable knowledge on the state of the art in fuel cell technology. In the presence of representatives of the companies participating in the pilot project, the fuel cell system was officially commissioned at the end of October.

For over a decade, the Axpo Group has been investigating new energy technologies for their potential to expand the existing electricity production mix. Among these technologies are photovoltaics, wind and cogeneration of heat and electricity. The results obtained help in the analysis of possible effects upon electricity production on grid connection; they also provide the Axpo Group with a basis for decisions about the electricity supply of the future.

Fuel cells are among the most promising future technologies for generating useful energy: they convert the chemical energy stored in a fuel directly into electricity and heat. Sulzer Hexis develops fuel cell systems operating on natural gas. The pre-series system HXS 1000 Premiere covers the basic electricity needs and all thermal requirements of a typical Central European single-family home. The fuel cell of type SOFC (Solid Oxide Fuel Cell) generates 1 kW of electrical and 2.5 kW of thermal power. An auxiliary heater provides additional heating power on demand.

Apart from this co-operation with Axpo Holding AG, other co-operation agreements presently exist with Gaz de France as well as Energie AG Oberösterreich and Erdgas Oberösterreich GmbH & Co KG in a working group. Furthermore, utilities, together with the local trade, are testing systems with house owners within the framework of distribution agreements. Partner companies are EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG, E.ON Energie AG, EWE AG, EWR AG, Thyssengas GmbH, VNG – Verbundnetz Gas AG (all in Germany) and GVM Gasverbund Mittelland AG (Switzerland).

The Sulzer Corporation (www.sulzer.com) is comprised of the four core divisions Sulzer Metco (surface coating solutions and services), Sulzer Turbomachinery Services (service and repair of thermal turbomachinery), Sulzer Pumps (pumping solutions and services), Sulzer Chemtech (chemical process components and services), and the venture division Sulzer Hexis (fuel cell systems for residential applications). Sales in 2002 totaled CHF 1946 million. Sulzer currently employs more than 9000 professionals worldwide.

The Axpo Group (www.axpo.ch) is an important Swiss utility. Its activities range from electricity production and transmission right up to trading and sales. Together with the electricity works of Northeastern and Central Switzerland and their partners, the Axpo Group supplies over 2.8 million people with electrical energy. The Group consists of Axpo Holding AG, NOK, Axpo AG, Axpo Informatik AG, CKW and EGL. The energy turnover achieved in business year 2001/02 amounted to 91.045 billion kWh or CHF 4.941 billion.

Fuel Cell Technologies Ltd. is pleased to announce that it has signed a contract to manufacture and supply one of its
Second Generation Series SOFC 5 kW units to the University of Liège in Belgium.  At October 25, 2003, FCT's First Generation Series of 5 kW SOFC units had generated a total of over 34 Megawatt-hours of electricity.  FCT currently has installations in Germany, Japan, Alaska, and Michigan. The prototype of the Second Generation Series of 5 kW SOFC is being built at FCT's Kingston facility.  Subsystems are under test, with the integrated system scheduled for testing this quarter. Following tests on the prototype, FCT will build and assemble units for delivery to customers throughout 2004.  FCT's
customer portfolio continues to grow and will evolve throughout 2004. The evolution of this portfolio will reflect the best interests of the business. Plans are also underway for the design and development of the FCT 50 kW system for commercial and industrial applications.  Fuel Cell Technologies Ltd. is the operating subsidiary of publicly traded Fuel Cell Technologies Corporation (FCT).
    
Earlier this month, FCT participated in Fuel Cells Canada's meetings in Ottawa with federal officials and legislators concerning Fuel Cells and Hydrogen.  A key highlight of the event was an announcement by the Canadian government of its commitment to invest $215 million in fuel cell technologies and hydrogen supply through demonstration programs and research and
development.  With it's industry leadership, corporate efficiencies, and product demonstration successes, FCT hopes to participate in this latest Canadian Government initiative.  Allocation of the funds within Canada's fuel cell and hydrogen industry sectors has not yet been finalized.
    
Next week FCT will participate in the Fuel Cell Seminar in Miami.  This conference and exhibition is organized by the U.S. Department of Energy and attracts attendance from all over the world.  FCT's Director of Sales will be available at FCT's exhibit booth for product information, and Barbara Haines, FCT Manager of Investor Relations, as Chair of the Power Generation Working Group, will present to the Annual Fall Meeting of the U.S. Fuel Cell Council. In addition, FCT will have a live feed from its First Generation 5 kW unit operating in Alaska.
    
On November 21, 2003, the FCT Board of Directors will meet to review operations and the financial reports for the third quarter, 2003.  The planned release date for the Third Quarter Report to Shareholders is Wednesday, November 26.  "With our completion of sales contracts we are pleased about our reduced use of cash during the third quarter, and look forward to the opportunity to report to our shareholders," commented Dr. John Stannard, President and CEO.

ThyssenKrupp manufactures the metal alloy already - BMW tests the material in prototypes

Gas cells use hydrogen for the production of electricity. Because of their high efficiency high temperature (SOFC) gas cells particularly much are promising. But the high temperatures of 900 degrees Celsius make substantial demands against the used material, which could be fulfilled so far only insufficiently. Scientists of the research center Juelich developed a metal alloy, which is particularly suitable for the standard employment in high temperature gas cells. With ThyssenKrupp the research center found a competent development partner for the industrial magnate conversion now. The steel concern manufactures the metal alloy under the trade name "Crofer 22 APU". BMW tests the material already in prototypes: Gas cells with the new material are to relieve the battery and the generator as zusatzaggregat in the car. In addition for example the enterprise of a condition air conditioning system would be possible with switched off engine.

The Juelicher team around Dr. Willem Josef Quadakkers of Institut for materials and procedures of energy engineering 2 (  IWV 2 , institute leader Professor Lorenz sing-hoarse) developed a special metal alloy: It makes for the first time the series production possible of the interconnectors in such a way specified, which represent the central element of the high temperature gas cells. These interconnectors connect small gas cell units, which are hooked up with their assistance to an efficient large unit - a stack in such a way specified -. In addition they make the electrical connection between the units and supply them via gaskanaele with the gaseous fuel.

So far it was not possible to make the interconnectors economically and with the desired electrical characteristics of metallic alloys. "the requirements of the material are partially contradictory. The problem is to find the correct compromise ", explains Willem Quadakkers. To its team now succeeded. The material "Crofer 22 APU" possesses the combination of characteristics, specific to application in gas cells, and avoids among other things a crucial disadvantage of past heatproof materials.

So that the metal alloys exhibit just as small thermal expansion with operatings temperature by 900 degrees Celsius as the adjacent ceramic materials, a high chrome portion is added to them. Thus one extends also the life span of the interconnectors, acts however at the same time a serious disadvantage in: At the high temperatures that is evaporated chrome partly and penetrates the cathode up to the boundary surface between cathode and electrolyte. Thus will the efficiency of the gas cell is drastically lowered.

The alloy of the Juelicher team solves this problem by a kind "self sealing". As soon as the gas cell becomes active, a protective layer from chrome manganous oxide on the surface of the interconnectors, which prevents chrome evaporation, forms. Besides this oxide coating possesses the demanded high electrical conductivity and does not burst not from the surface. Decisive for it among other things an admixture of the chemical element is lanthan. Further alloying elements are manganese and titanium.

To be used the High Tech material can among other things in the automobile industry. Thus development engineers of the BMW Group already work on a SOFC gas cell with interconnectors from Crofer 22 APU. The abbreviation "APU" in the name of the material, which stands for "Auxiliary power unit", points already on the use of the gas cells - as zusatzaggregat for the discharge of battery and generator in the car.

The gas cells need half of the fuel, which is used for the production of the same quantity of electricity only about, if the generation of current takes the "detour" over engine, generator and battery. Thus the carbon dioxide output of the vehicle is reduced clearly -, even if the gas cells are operated like planned first with gasoline. The hydrogen is then won over a Reformer from the gasoline.

Picture left: Microstructure of the Juelicher of material in the optical microscope (picture in the JPG format to the Download , approx. 500KB)
Picture right: Transverse cross section of the Juelicher of material in the scanning electron microscope (dark layer = protecting oxide coating after 6000 hours at air with 800 degrees Celsius) 

In response to the current emergence of clean energy sources, Axane, a wholly owned Air Liquide subsidiary, announces the launch of its first commercial offer of fuel cell systems.
    
The impact of greenhouse gases on our environment has become a global concern. In response, Air Liquide and Axane have developed a hydrogen fuel cell energy offer -- an integrated energy solution in accord with environmental concerns fully in line with Air Liquide's commitment to sustainable development. Fuel cell technology, offered by Axane coupled with hydrogen technology offered by Air Liquide make this coupling the first of its kind.
    
Non-polluting, silent and available for a large power range, fuel cells featuring the hydrogen-fed Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) technology are the environmentally friendly "generator of electricity" of choice for public transportation, stationary applications, scooters and hybrid vehicles worldwide. The Air Liquide/Axane fuel cell launch is supported by the success of its use by the French explorer Jean-Louis Etienne during his polar ice cap mission last year. The fuel cell supplied the mission's electricity needs from April through July 2002.
    
During the Fuel Cell Seminar in Miami (Booth #717-719, Nov. 3-7), Air Liquide and Axane will be showcasing Roller Pac(TM), a portable two kilowatt, 110 volt AC electric power generator with a hydrogen fuel cell. Roller Pac(TM) is the first example of an application of the modular concept EVOPAC(TM) demonstrating the integration of a fuel cell system in a portable power generator.
    
The driving force, experience and expertise of the Air Liquide and Axane teams have enabled the introduction of this concept. It offers a modular energy generator and wide versatility for multiple uses, with a power range of 500 watts to 10 kilowatts. Applications range from powering portable generators to small stationary and/or transport applications.
    
Other hydrogen energy applications used by Air Liquide include a hydrogen fueling station in Luxembourg, used to power three EvoBuses run on fuel cells, and two other stations in Madrid and Kawasaki (Japan).

    About Axane
    
In May 2001, after a five-year exploratory phase in fuel cells, Air Liquide created Axane.
    
Axane's mission is to develop complete packaged systems on a global scale that produce energy from fuel cells powered by hydrogen. The combination of skills, technological advances and expertise from Air Liquide, enables Axane to have at its disposal a research team without equal in Europe.
    
Axane is positioning itself to target three markets that are likely to provide broad commercial outlets in the short term: -- Portable multi-application generators (500 W to 10 kW), -- Stationary applications (more than 2 kW), -- Mobile applications for small hybrid vehhhicles (2 kW to 10 kW).
    
The first industrial applications are forecast for 2004, with an initial focus on the portable generators market.

Cellex Power(TM) completes 3rd set of field trials and unveils the next generation fuel cell power unit at the Miami Fuel Cell Seminar, November 3-7, 2003.

FuelCell Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq: FCEL - News) announced today that its shareholders have approved the acquisition of Global Thermoelectric Inc. (TSX: GLE - News). The acquisition is contingent upon the approval by Global Thermoelectric's shareholders (special meeting scheduled for 10:00 AM today, Calgary time), a final order from the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench (meeting scheduled for 2:00 PM today, Calgary time) and the consummation of the transaction scheduled for November 3, 2003.