Ballard completes 60kW engineering prototype stationary fuel cell power generator

Vancouver, Canada, 7th August - Ballard Power Systems announced today that its subsidiary Ballard Generation Systems (BGS) has completed the construction and commenced in-house testing of its 60kW hydrogen-fuelled engineering prototype stationary fuel cell power generator. The 60kW unit incorporated the Mark 900 automotive architecture and is being designed for backup and standby applications. "The completion of the 60kW hydrogen-fuelled engineering prototype marks the achievement of another of the stationary power goals we set out for 2001," said Jim Kirsch, President of Ballard Generation Systems. "This success demonstrates the synergies available and our abilities to build on the product development experience at Ballard and Xcellsis Fuel Cell Engines Inc." The unit is planned to undergo extensive in-house testing throughout the remainder of 2001 leading to the development of the Beta version of this product. Ballard Generation Systems was formed to commercialize PEM fuel cell stationary power generators that use the BALLARD® fuel cell. Ballard Power Systems is recognised as the world leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing zero-emission proton exchange membrane fuel cells for use in transportation, electricity generation and portable power products. Ballard Power Systems´ proprietary fuel cell technology is enabling automobile, electrical equipment and portable power product manufacturers to develop environmentally clean products for sale. The fundamental component of these end-user products is the BALLARD® fuel cell that combines hydrogen (which can be obtained from methanol, natural gas, petroleum or renewable sources) and oxygen (from air) without combustion to generate electricity. Ballard is partnering with strong, world-leading companies, including DaimlerChrysler, Ford, GPU, ALSTOM and EBARA, to commercialise BALLARD® fuel cells. Ballard has also supplied fuel cells to Honda, Nissan, Volkswagen, Yamaha, Cinergy, Coleman Powermate and Matsushita Electric Works, among others.