FuelCellsWorks

Proton Power Systems plc (AIM:PPS), a leading designer, developer and producer of fuel cells and fuel cell electric hybrid systems, is delighted to announce that it has received approval and support for non refundable grant funding in relation to projects worth in total €9.2 million from the National Innovation Programme (”NIP”) of the German Government and has secured a bank facility of €2 million for advances against the grant income. The non refundable grants are being provided in relation to R&D expenditure and to the Company’s agreement with Smith Electric Vehicles announced on 2 February 2010.

The NIP will grant fund 48 per cent. of R&D expenditure incurred by Proton up to €5.4 million.

The NIP will also make available to the end customers grant funds of 48 per cent. of the cost of purchasing electric vehicles up to €3.8 million.

John Wall, Chairman of Proton Power, commented: “This is a major new development in the external funding of the company and will facilitate the rapid expansion of our design, testing and stack development for transport and high power applications. It will in particular support our project for the supply of 20 light-duty vehicles with Smith Electric Vehicles.”

bout Proton Power Systems plc

Proton Power Systems plc is a developer and manufacturer of fuel cells and fuel cell hybrid systems for motive and stationary power supply.  Its sales-driven strategy focuses on identifying applications with the greatest market needs and supplying large volumes of cost-competitive systems to fulfil those needs.  Proton Power is gaining access to a broad range of markets through partnerships with leading OEMs such as Skoda Electric and Smith Electric Vehicles, in addition to contract manufacturers such as Deutsche Mechatronics.

Proton Power’s motive applications include forklifts, city buses, municipal utility vehicles, commercial vehicles and ferries.  Stationary applications focus on the Uninterruptible Power Supply (”UPS”) sector, where there is a large demand for mission-critical, grid-independent secure power supply in places such as telecommunications stations, data centres, hospitals, and power substations.

Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH (”Proton Motor”), the Group has developed and deployed fuel cell modules that can be integrated with energy storage media to create hybrid fuel cell systems.  Proprietary, intelligent energy management software balances the power output across the system to maximise efficiency and improve power delivery.  The system therefore boasts lower fuel consumption and more consistent levels of power delivery than conventional diesel/combustion engine or fuel cell-only systems, while producing zero harmful emissions.

Proton Power Systems plc was admitted to trading on AIM on 31 October 2006 and is incorporated in the UK.  Proton Motor has more than 15 years of experience in the fuel cell market and is located in Puchheim, near Munich, Germany.

www.protonpowersystems.com

Acta (AIM:ACTA), the clean energy products company, has unveiled the world’s first hydrogen-powered tender, at the European Sailing Championships being held this week in Viareggio, Italy.  The new tender, branded “HIDRO” incorporates Acta’s award-winning hydrogen generator at the heart of the HIDRO concept, and demonstrates the potential of the hydrogen generator to transform the way in which recreational boats and vehicles are powered.

Acta has developed the tender in partnership with Callegari S.p.A., a leading Italian brand in the production of inflatable boats and dinghies.  Two HIDRO tenders have been servicing sailing boats at the Championships, prior to their full commercial launch at the forthcoming Genoa Boat Show in early October. The tenders run on a hybrid battery / fuel cell outboard motor system, powered by hydrogen from Acta’s highly innovative hydrogen generator which is, in turn, powered by solar PV panels.

Acta is demonstrating a number of ground breaking products at its hydrogen village, established in Viareggio during the championships, which have received an enthusiastic reception from spectators and competitors alike. Visitors have been able to test drive Acta’s hydrogen bikes, which are also recharged via a hydrogen generator connected to solar PV panels. These panels have been built into a 1kW collapsible aluminium canopy, under which the bikes are stored; an arrangement that has been purpose-designed by Acta to facilitate the usability of such recreational vehicles.

Paolo Bert, Chief Executive, commented: “We are very proud to have introduced the world’s first hydrogen-powered tender to the public. This year has seen our market-leading hydrogen generator become the crucial foundation for a new age of clean energy mobility in recreational boats, vehicles and camping equipment.

Acta’s presence at the championships has enabled us to demonstrate, in an engaging and striking way, how these technologies complete the missing hydrogen link in the renewable energy value chain.  We have been able to demonstrate the ease with which these products can be recharged from solar energy in a cheap and environmentally-friendly way. We now look forward to promoting and developing this domestic-scale solar-hydrogen infrastructure into many new markets.”

Leicester and a second as yet unnamed UK city are to trial UK startup Riversimple’s hydrogen fuel cell powered cars.

The 12 month pilot in Leicester, which will be underway by spring 2012, hopes to attract both individuals and organisations to test drive 30 of the two-seater vehicles. Riversimple also plans to site and operate a refuelling point as well.

The company says it is in “serious discussion” with a second city to operate another trial in parallel. Last summer, the company was talking to Oxford and Worcester about a possible trial.

The car itself, which is currently being built at Silverstone, has a maximum speed of 50 mph and a range of 200 miles on a single tank of hydrogen. Its lightweight composite construction means it only weighs 350 kg and can do the equivalent of 300 mpg.

If the trial is a success, the company says it will talk to Leicester City Council about siting a production facility in the city to produce 5000 vehicles a year.

The vehicle first launched last summer and includes the Ernst Piëch family, part of the Porsche dynasty among its backers. The company is now in its second round of funding to raise £20 million.

Riversimple says that the vehicle will not go on sale to customers, but will cost around £200 a month plus 15p per mile including fuel, in a deal rather like a mobile phone contract.

The trial has been commended by new Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne, who said:

“A radical transformation of our transport network is needed in the next forty years and this is another great example of British innovation developing low carbon solutions to bring that about.”

For further information:
www.riversimple.com/
www.decc.gov.uk

ITM Power, the energy storage and clean fuel company, is pleased to announce that its CEO, Dr. Graham Cooley, has been appointed to the Executive Committee of the US Fuel Cell Council (USFCC).

The USFCC is a member-led industry association that aims to promote the development and use of fuel cells, as well as influence public policy for the industry.  Members of the USFCC include the world’s leading fuel cell developers, manufacturers, suppliers and customers.

Commenting on his appointment, Dr. Graham Cooley said; “I am delighted to have been elected to the Executive Committee of the USFCC.  We see the US as a vital early adopter of hydrogen technology and ITM’s novel membrane technology will have a significant role to play in the future development of the hydrogen economy. Our involvement in the USFCC builds on the relationship we have developed with the NextEnergy Center in Detroit.  We are very excited with how things are developing for us in the US”.

Ruth Cox, Executive Director of the U.S. Fuel Cell Council, commented: “We are pleased to have Dr. Cooley on our Executive Committee.  His knowledge of the clean energy industry and hydrogen technologies will be invaluable to our team. ITM Power’s range of electrolyzers and other clean energy products will also greatly enhance the portfolio of clean energy solutions available to American homes and businesses.”

For further information please visit www.itm-power.com or
http://www.usfcc.com/usfcc/members.html#Exec