London, January
26, 2007... Proton Power Systems plc ("PPS"), one of the world's
leading electric hybrid fuel cells
companies, today announces progress on its
development of the first hydrogen
fuel cell-powered ship capable of carrying up
to 100 passengers.
From the summer of 2008, it will
operate on Hamburg's Alster river. It is 25 m
long, 5 m wide, and accommodates
100 passengers.
The project called Zero Emission
Ships (ZEMSHIPS) is funded by the European
Commission as part of its LIFE-Environment
funding programme for environmental
innovation.
As part of the project team PPS'
subsidiary, Proton Motor ("PM"), is developing
the propulsion system for ZEMSHIPS'
motor using technology, based on its
successful bus fuel cell application.
The contract for PM is worth €1.15
million. Staged payments will be
made over a 36-month period. ZEMSHIPS is just
one of several public sector funding
projects that PM is involved in over the
next six months.
Felix Heidelberg, PPS' Chief Executive
Officer, said "The requirement to improve
air quality around major cities
and the increasing worldwide acceptance of the
need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions
as a defence against climate change are
major drivers of our business.
"Not only will the ship eliminate
emissions, it is also much quieter - so a
candlelit dinner on deck will no
longer be spoiled by the sound of groaning
engines and the smell of exhaust
fumes.
"Our technology matches the needs
of the public and private sector alike to
lower fuel consumption and eliminate
harmful emissions, while at the same time
improve the efficiency and performance
of short distance transport fleets."
Other partners involved in the ZEMSHIPS
project include: Alster-Touristik, the
tourist ferry operator; Linde, which
will be supplying the hydrogen
infrastructure; the Government of
the City of Hamburg, acting as coordinator;
the Hamburg transport authority,
Hamburger Hochbahn and Germanischer Lloyd for
certification; as well as scientific
institutions from Germany and the Czech
Republic.
PPS, through its subsidiary Proton
Motor Fuel Cell GmbH ("PM") has developed and
produced a standard fuel cell module,
fuelled by hydrogen integrated with an
energy storage system to create
a hybrid electric fuel cell system capable of
providing power during peak demand
situations. The market focus is on industrial
applications where 'back-to-base'
refueling occurs, on site, at the end of each
shift or work period.
The Group has identified opportunities
to replace lead-acid batteries with their
PEM fuel cell systems and has identified
niche markets in the materials handling
and mass-transportation sectors
where hybrid electric fuel cell systems offer
considerable advantages over conventional
engine technology and fuel cell only
drive systems. The Group has identified
two initial market segments in which the
Directors believe the advantages
of hybrid electric fuel cell systems will lead
to economic benefits for the end
user - forklift trucks and buses. In most
cases, vehicles operate within a
defined radius or return to central points of
operation.
The many advantages over current
commercial alternatives include lower fuel
consumption, longer periods between
refueling, shorter refueling, consistent
levels of power delivery and zero
harmful emissions.
PM's technology development has been
undertaken with the key objectives of
multiple applications and volume
production.
PPS listed on the Alternative Investment
Market (AIM) on October 31, 2006.

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