FuelCellsWorks

BEND, OR — IdaTech (AIM: IDA.L), a global leader in the development and manufacture of clean and reliable extended run backup power fuel cell products, today announces that it has received an order for 30 ElectraGen(TM) hydrogen fuel cell systems from its German OEM partner, b+w Electronic Systems GmbH (”b+w”), for delivery in 2009 and early 2010. This order is in addition to a 30 systems order received from b+w at the end of 2008, 22 of which have been sold to b+w’s customers.These systems will be used in a variety of applications, reflecting their versatility and will be deployed on the German TETRA network (Terrestrial Trunked Radio), telecom sites (indoor and container), as well as in UPS applications. This order and the system deployments support the objective of both IdaTech and b+w to develop and certify fuel cell systems ahead of mass deployment in the German market.

Earlier this month, b+w fuel cell development projects were approved as part of the German National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Innovation Program (NIP). Founded in 2007, the purpose of the NIP is to provide targeted assistance to the emerging hydrogen and fuel cell industry in the mobile, stationary and portable market sectors in Germany.

IdaTech’s ElectraGen(TM) family of fuel cell systems was developed specifically for the critical backup power telecom market. These ElectraGen(TM) products can be powered by hydrogen gas or by IdaTech’s fuel reformer system which converts liquid fuel into high-purity hydrogen onsite and on demand as needed. The ElectraGen(TM) provides 24 or 48 VDC backup power for telecommunications applications and is a replacement for traditional solutions such as batteries and diesel generators, but with greater reliability and significantly reduced maintenance.

Commenting on the order Harol Koyama, Chief Executive Officer of IdaTech, said:

“We are delighted to be working with b+w to supply ElectraGen(TM) systems for the German market with the added confidence and support of the German Government through the NIP. The deployment of IdaTech’s fuel cell systems in these critical power applications is another important commercial milestone for the company in achieving mass adoption of its fuel cell products as replacements for generators and batteries.”

About IdaTech

IdaTech plc is an advanced fuel cell products company which is operationally headquartered in Bend, Oregon, USA and is listed on AIM with the ticker code IDA.

IdaTech designs, develops, and manufactures extended run backup power fuel cell products for Telecom applications requiring 100 W to 15 kW of backup power. IdaTech’s unique PEM fuel cell technology provides solutions for a wide range of applications to directly support efforts towards sustainable energy.

IdaTech’s portfolio of industry-certified fuel cell products are based on the company’s fuel processing, purification and fuel cell system integration capabilities. With the support of strategic partners and customers, the company’s extended run backup power products are being deployed worldwide for stationary applications.

Additional information may be obtained by contacting the company direct or by visiting its website at http://www.idatech.com.

About b+w Electronic Systems

Founded in 1980 b+w Electronic Systems today is a well established partner of industrial enterprises, telecom network operators and public authorities. Thanks to continuous growth the company employs more than 300 people in its headquarters in Oberhausen/Germany as well as in subsidiaries, project offices and investments throughout Germany, other European countries and the United States.

b+w Electronic Systems offers complete fulfillments for telecommunication and power supply solutions, industry automation, cable, battery and switchgear technology as well as professional mobile radio solutions.

For more information on b+w Electronic Systems’ portfolio of products and services, please visit www.b-w.com

BOTHELL, Wash. and MUMBAI, India — NEAH Power (OTCBB:NPWS) www.neahpower.com, the company leading development in fuel cells for the military and portable electronic devices, reported today that Wearology Ltd., a Poddar Group division, and associated entities, have committed to invest up to $500,000 in NEAH.

Dr. Christopher D’Couto, NEAH’s CEO, and Rohitashwa Poddar, Group Managing Director, Poddar Group in Mumbai, India, announced the covenant jointly, saying the two companies’ business plans support their joint philosophy of environmentally friendly, pollution-free businesses. “This capital infusion will allow a rapid move to the AMEX, and facilitates funding for production of prototypes for various companies, such as Hobie Boats, EKO Vehicles, of India, and others which we have joint venture deals with,” D’Couto said. “Buzz Financial Services (www.12buzz.com) assisted in this transaction, for which we are appreciative.”

The Poddar Group of Companies in India includes Wearology Ltd, Organically Grown, Poddar Developers, Poddar Infrastructure and Idhasoft Ltd. Wearology Limited, the division taking the investment position, is a Public Limited Company, listed on the BSE in Mumbai, India, with offices in the USA, India, China, Italy, and headquartered in Mumbai.

Rohit Poddar, commented, “This is an exciting opportunity for the Poddar Group to participate in what will be a tectonic shift in global energy production. All of the Poddar Group’s many businesses will benefit as a result.”

Rohit Poddar, who was elected into the Global Leadership Initiative this year at the Aspen Institute India-Goldman Sachs India Leadership Initiative of Accomplished Leaders, provides executive leadership in the real estate, sustainable textiles, organic farming and ITeS segments, part of a virtual manufacturing, services and knowledge-driven business, with an emphasis on environmentally sustainable practices.

About NEAH Power

NEAH Power Systems, Inc. (NPWS) is developing long-lasting, efficient and safe power solutions for the military and for portable electronic devices. NEAH uses a unique, patented, silicon-based design for its micro fuel cells that enable higher power densities, lower cost and compact form-factors. The company’s micro fuel cell system can run in aerobic and anaerobic modes.

About Wearology, Ltd., a part of The Poddar Group (TPG)

Wearology specializes in Organic Farming, Organic Apparel, and Anti-Microbial Healthcare Solutions, farming 10,568 acres of USDA certified 100% organic land growing cotton, soy, bamboo, vegetables, fruits and spices. Sustainable processes include water conservation, harvesting and treatment, and energy sources include windmills for power generation.

* Shares fall back to 33 pct up, having earlier doubled

* Says making progress with commercial partners

* Says new announcement would be made if material change

LONDON, July 22 (Reuters) – Aim-listed Italian fuel cell specialist Acta SpA (ACTAq.L) said on Thursday it was not aware of any reason for the recent movement in its share price, which has trebled since the start of the week.

Acta confirmed that it was “continuing to make progress with its various commercial partners despite a difficult economic background”.

Earlier, Chief Financial Officer Paul Barritt issued an emailed response to Reuters when asked about speculation the company may have received a takeover approach.

“Please let me refer you back to our trading announcement released on Friday last week which included all relevant and announceable information at that time. If there were to be any material change to this information we would of course publish this through a separate announcement,” he said.

Acta said last week it had received commercial interest in its water electrolyser technology which can be used as a recharger for fuel cell devices. It already has a development contract with a major unnamed Asian manufacturer and Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation (8053.T).

Shares in the company were up 33 percent at 17 pence by 1130GMT, having doubled in value earlier in the day.

(Reporting by Matt Scuffham; editing by Rhys Jones)

Shares in Italian fuel cell catalyst specialist Acta S.p.A. (ACTAq.L) soar by nearly 50 percent, having risen by over 75 percent on Tuesday, as takeover speculation gains momentum.

One trader cites talk that either an existing or prospective partner could be tempted to make a full bid for the company given the attractiveness of more environmentally friendly types of fuel production.

“It’s obviously speculation but there could have been something happening in the last couple of days. I expect at some stage they’ll have to put out an announcement saying whether they have or haven’t had an approach,” said one trader.

Acta already has a development contract with a unnamed major Asian manufacturer and Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation. It also said last week it had received commercial interest in its water electrolyser technology which can be used as a recharger for fuel cell devices.

A new £1million Infrastructure Grant Programme (IGP) to encourage the installation of recharging points for electric vehicles and facilities to supply alternative transport fuels is now open for business.  The programme is being managed by Cenex, the UK’s Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon and Fuel Cell Technologies, on behalf of the Department for Transport (DfT).

With the aim of assisting the UK Government’s strategy to decrease carbon emissions from road transport, the programme will make £1m of initial funding available until March 2011 to develop alternative refuelling infrastructure including charging points for electric vehicles, and hydrogen and natural gas/biomethane filling stations.

Robert Evans, CEO of Cenex, said:

“I am delighted that the DfT has appointed Cenex as delivery partner for this exciting new programme and very pleased that the IGP is now underway. For fleet operators the cost of installing refuelling or recharging infrastructure has always been a barrier to switching fuel use. This programme will encourage operators to accelerate the introduction of lower-carbon technologies into the UK vehicle market, thereby helping cut the UK’s total carbon emissions.”

The programme will support the deployment of facilities for alternative fuels, providing grants for the infrastructure necessary to fuel environmentally friendly vehicles that cut carbon and pollutant emissions.

Rosie Snashall, DfT Electric Vehicles and Policy Manager, said:

“We are very pleased to be working with Cenex, given their expertise in low carbon technologies and their understanding of the market.  As our delivery partner, Cenex will leverage the demand from organisations wishing to install refuelling or recharging stations for vehicles, thus enabling them to bring down the costs of reducing carbon for everyone.”

The key aspects of the IGP are:

• Application for the grant must be made and accepted by Cenex before the investment in infrastructure commences.
• Grants will be awarded to applications that fulfil the specified quality criteria.
• Final grant awards will be determined by an independent panel.
• The refuelling station must be open for third-party access, and the refuelling site must be based in the UK.
• Eligible costs for new refuelling and recharging stations will be refuelling/recharging infrastructure hardware costs, cost of labour (excluding project management) and the cost for civil engineering and ground works for the project.
• Funding from other local, regional, national or European community sources for the same eligible costs is not permitted.

Cenex will be hosting information days in July, August & September 2009 across the UK to discuss what the programme encompasses, how to apply for funding and the quality of projects required from applicants. More details, including eligibility criteria and grant information are available at www.cenex.co.uk/IGP

MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO– Hydrogenics Corporation (TSX:HYG)(NASDAQ:HYGS), a leading developer and manufacturer of hydrogen generation and fuel cell products, announces that it has formally notified American Power Conversion Corporation (”APC”) of the termination of the manufacturing and supply agreement (the “Supply Agreement”) dated August 9, 2006 between Hydrogenics and APC.

The Supply Agreement provided that APC would purchase up to 500 HyPM^® XR 12 kW Fuel Cell Power Modules from Hydrogenics for integration into APC’s NCPI solutions, specifically its InfraStruXure^® architecture, over a three year period, subject to the terms of the Supply Agreement. In the notice of termination, Hydrogenics has requested a termination payment of approximately US$2.1 million by APC, as determined by a formula in the Supply Agreement based on the number of products for which APC has issued orders and paid for under the Supply Agreement.

“We remain committed to working with APC towards an amicable resolution of APC’s obligations under the Supply Agreement,” said Daryl Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hydrogenics. “We strongly believe that despite the termination of the Supply Agreement, our independent efforts over the past three years have resulted in the development of significant expertise and know-how, which will allow us to build upon and benefit other fuel cell products, applications and solutions.”

ABOUT HYDROGENICS

Hydrogenics Corporation (www.hydrogenics.com) is a globally recognized developer and provider of hydrogen generation and fuel cell products and services, serving the growing industrial and clean energy markets of today and tomorrow. Based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, Hydrogenics has operations in North America and Europe.

Congressman Michael N. Castle completes a test drive during the Hydrogen Road Tour stop at the University of Delaware.

Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (FCVs) can be an important part of the solution to America’s energy crisis, says Dr. Andrew Goudy of Delaware State University. He is leading a research team striving to solve a key technical FCV puzzle.

The Chairperson of Delaware State’s Chemistry Department explains that hydrogen FCVs are powered by electric motors that derive energy from on-board fuel cells. The fuel cells convert pure hydrogen and oxygen into electricity.

The research at Delaware State University is pursuing lightweight materials to store hydrogen and release it, under control, as it is expended. Dr. Goudy defines several challenges:

1. A car must be able to store enough hydrogen to travel 300 miles, the approximate equivalent of a tank of gasoline.

2. The car must be able to refuel with hydrogen quickly. Some hydrogen storage materials may take up to 30 minutes to recharge, and few drivers are going to stand at the pump of a fuel station for a half-hour.

3. The hydrogen storage unit must be sufficiently compact and lightweight to be practical.

One promising hydrogen-storage material is the complex hydride LiBH4. Its enthalpy, or thermodynamic properties, however, means that it requires high temperatures to release hydrogen. Dr. Goudy is seeking ways to destabilize this material so that it will release hydrogen at a practical temperature.

“Although just one of many scientific and engineering challenges, this one lies at the heart of the process,” says Dr. Goudy. “If you cannot store, release, and restore hydrogen with an ease and efficiency comparable to gasoline, you cannot have a practical hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.”

Progress on Hydrogen FCVS by Global Auto Makers

Scientific and engineering progress has enabled Toyota to make the 350-mile drive from Osaka to Tokyo, expending only 70 percent of the fuel supply of an FCV, reports MSNBC. “Toyota Motors . . . is planning on releasing a fuel-cell car by 2015 in its attempt to retain its lead in the global race for green cars,” says Masatami Takimoto, a vice president with the company.

Honda’s FCX Clarity was chosen by 59 world jurors as 2009 World Green Car. Its only emission is water, and its fuel efficiency is three times that of a conventional auto and double that of a gasoline-powered hybrid, the car maker says.

Volkswagen also is committed to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times, and General Motors could be selling hydrogen FCVs in the thousands by 2012, according to a blog of Motor Trend magazine.

In the midst of these plans and predictions, Dr. Goudy and his team in the Delaware State University labs, and scientists and engineers like them worldwide, work out all the kinks.