"We are working to ensure that the scientific and technological advances made possible through research and innovation translate into improved competitiveness and productivity across Canada," said Minister Emerson. "Investments made by Industry Canada programs like h2EA are forward thinking and identify tomorrow's key technologies today. They ensure Canada remains at the forefront of technological innovation."

The h2EA program has invested $935 000 in a project led by Fuel Cell Technologies Ltd. of Kingston, Ontario, that will demonstrate residential heating and power generation using four solid oxide fuel cells within a townhouse-style student residence at the University of Toronto at Mississauga.

A $2-million investment in a project led by Ballard Power Systems of Burnaby, British Columbia, will involve the use of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell-based uninterruptible power supply back-up systems in three distinct real-world settings: an industrial/commercial mixed use building setting; a telecommunications industry switching station; and in server rooms as a back-up power solution for uninterruptible power supplies.

Finally, a $4.2-million h2EA investment in a project led by Hydrogenics Corporation of Mississauga, Ontario, will be used to demonstrate hydrogen fuel cell solutions for transportation. These demonstrations will include hydrogen- powered delivery and utility vehicles, a hydrogen production and refuelling facility at the Canadian National Exhibition, and the further development of on-board and off-board monitoring and diagnostic tools.

"This support enables companies to collaborate in the advancement of real- world applications for innovative technologies that can benefit us as individual organizations, as an industry, and as Canadians," said Pierre Rivard, Chairman of the Board of Fuel Cells Canada and President of Hydrogenics Corporation. "By helping to create an environment of cooperation, these investments will help to reinforce Canada's pre-eminent role in developing and applying hydrogen and hydrogen-compatible technologies in the years to come."

The Government of Canada is committed to the vision of a hydrogen economy, and is working in partnership with hydrogen industry stakeholders to foster the development and early introduction into the Canadian marketplace of technologies that support this vision - technologies such as fuel cells and thosee used to produce, store and distribute hydrogen. As part of this commitment, the Technology Partnerships Canada h2EA program encourages Canadian industries to take the lead in demonstrating existing technologies in real-world applications, thus accelerating the market acceptance of hydrogen and hydrogen-compatible technologies with broad environmental, economic and social benefits for all Canadians.

The TPC h2EA program is intended to accelerate the market adoption of hydrogen and hydrogen-compatible technologies in Canada through the funding of demonstration projects led by consortia of industry leaders. The h2EA program showcases working models of hydrogen and hydrogen-compatible technologies in real-world settings, in order to promote awareness and acceptance of the immense potential of a hydrogen economy for industry and for Canadians.

                                 Background
                Government of Canada invests $7.1 million in
    Hydrogen and Hydrogen Compatible Technologies Demonstration Projects

The Government of Canada, through the h2 Early Adopters (h2EA) program, has made three investments in hydrogen and hydrogen compatible technologies demonstration projects. Led by consortia, these projects will demonstrate real- world applications for hydrogen technologies using systems and components provided by project partners.

The three project investments include $935,000 to a group led by Fuel Cell Technologies of Kingston, Ontario; a $2.1 million investment in a project spearheaded by Ballard Power Systems of Burnaby, British Columbia; and $4.2 million towards a demonstration by Hydrogenics Corporation of Mississauga, Ontario. Each of the projects will demonstrate unique applications utilizing fuel cells and hydrogen as a power supply, with the goal of increasing public and consumer awareness of the enormous potential hydrogen technologies offer for sustainable and environmentally friendly power generation.

Fuel Cell Technologies will showcase four 5kWe solid oxide hydrogen fuel cells arranged in a mini-grid formation to provide heating and power generation in a residential application. Partnering with the University of Toronto at Mississauga, and Ontario Power Generation Inc., this project will offer an exceptional educational opportunity to the students who will monitor the system, and has the potential of increased efficiencies and cost-savings for the University. In addition, it will assist in the development of standards and codes for the use and installation of fuel cells in residential applications.

A second project, led by Ballard Power Systems, is comprised of three distinct site-specific applications. Demonstrating back up power for critical loads in an industrial/commercial mixed used building setting; back up power for switching stations used by the telecommunications industry; and back up power for uninterruptible power supply (UPS) applications in server rooms; the demonstrations will take place at the National Research Council's Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation in Vancouver, B.C., a Bell Canada Facility in the Greater Toronto Area, and at the University of Toronto respectively.

A final project, already underway, will demonstrate hydrogen-fuelling solutions for utility vehicles at the Canadian National Exhibition site in Toronto. Led by Hydrogenics Corporation, the project will showcase advances in the area of equipment reliability for both hardware and software tools, as well as the feasibility of hydrogen and hydrogen compatible technologies for use in the utility vehicle, vehicle fleet operation and back-up power markets.

The investments made by the h2EA program, combined with the outreach and public awareness generated by these demonstration projects, the high profile nature of the consortia partners and the real-world applications being showcased, will contribute to the increased awareness and acceptance of hydrogen-based technologies across Canada.

A viable, environmentally friendly and sustainable power solution for the future, the Government of Canada has committed to the vision of a Hydrogen Economy in its Canadian Fuel Cell Commercialization Roadmap. Working with the hydrogen industry to demonstrate real-world applications for hydrogen technologies - with a goal of increasing acceptance and eventually encouraging use - these investments affirm this commitment.