Fuel Cell Works Supplemental News Page

**JAPAN'S FUJI ELECTRIC DEVELOPS FUEL CELL THAT RUNS 7.5 YEARS**
Publication date: 22-June-04 Source: Asia Pulse
Fuji Electric Advanced Technology Co., the R&D arm of Fuji Electric Holdings Co. (JSE:6504), has developed a PAFC (phosphoric-acid fuel cell) for large buildings that lasts 50 per cent longer, so is much less costly to maintain. The company made modifications to a 100kW PAFC which was released in 1998 and is now operating in 15 hospitals, office buildings and hotels. The overall device has a working life of 15 years, but up until now the fuel-cell stack and the reformer, which converts fuel to hydrogen, needed to be replaced every five years. With the modifications, these components now last for 7.5 years, meaning they only need to be replaced once instead of twice during the 15-year life of the device. For users, that translates into a major savings, since the cost of replacement is more than 20 million yen each time. Fuji Electric Advanced Technology plans to have a practical version of its technology ready in October of 2005. Meanwhile, the company is progressing with the development of a 1kW-class solid-polymer fuel cell for use as a power source in homes. Testing of prototypes will continue until fiscal 2005, at which time the decision will be made about moving forward to commercialization. ~

Fuji Electric Advanced Technology Co., the R&D arm of Fuji Electric Holdings Co. (JSE:6504), has developed a PAFC (phosphoric-acid fuel cell) for large buildings that lasts 50 per cent longer, so is much less costly to maintain.

The company made modifications to a 100kW PAFC which was released in 1998 and is now operating in 15 hospitals, office buildings and hotels. The overall device has a working life of 15 years, but up until now the fuel-cell stack and the reformer, which converts fuel to hydrogen, needed to be replaced every five years. With the modifications, these components now last for 7.5 years, meaning they only need to be replaced once instead of twice during the 15-year life of the device. For users, that translates into a major savings, since the cost of replacement is more than 20 million yen each time.

Fuji Electric Advanced Technology plans to have a practical version of its technology ready in October of 2005.

Meanwhile, the company is progressing with the development of a 1kW-class solid-polymer fuel cell for use as a power source in homes. Testing of prototypes will continue until fiscal 2005, at which time the decision will be made about moving forward to commercialization.