Itm Power Regulatory News (ITM)

20 April 2012

ITM Power plc

("ITM Power" or the "Company")

HBox Solar Achieves CE Compliance

ITM Power (AIM:ITM), the energy storage and clean fuel company, is pleased to announce the achievement of full CE certification for its HBox Solar electrolyser product.

A CE mark is a mandatory conformance mark for products placed on the market in the European Economic Area. CE conformance certifies that a product has met EU consumer safety, health and environmental requirements. In the case of HBox Solar, CE requires conformance with the Pressure Equipment, EMC, Machinery and Atex Directives.

ITM Power's HBox 3000 passive electrolyser product achieved CE compliance in March 2011. HBox Solar is aimed at the more technically challenging application of off-grid hydrogen generation by direct connection to a solar PV panel. The diurnal and annual hydrogen yield is maximised by automated thermal control - this ensures both efficient operation after an extended period of darkness or cloudiness, and effective cooling during periods of hot weather.

HBox Solar provides a platform for implementing hydrogen energy systems based on renewable energy at virtually any location, because it does not need to be connected to a mains power supply. It offers a means for transforming the problematic variable DC output of a renewable power source to a simple store of fuel in the form of hydrogen. It thereby generates truly 'green' hydrogen and is an enabler for distributed energy systems based on seasonal hydrogen storage.  HBox Solar represents the first step towards the development of a substantial off-grid industry of hydrogen generation, which is in addition to conventional electrolysis via the electricity grid. Target applications include telecom base transceiver stations, zero carbon homes, back-up power for farms, and fuel supply in remote areas.

HBox Solar is a unique passive hydrogen generation system which utilises a novel electrolyser stack design. It maximises efficiency by instantaneously following the characteristic maximum power point locus of a solar cell.  The product offers fully autonomous electrolysis at an average conversion efficiency of over 80%. It operates from dawn to dusk, generating hydrogen in tandem with the variation in solar irradiance. Importantly, the low power consumption of the unique HBox balance of plant enables effective operation during low light conditions allowing electrolysis to occur for longer during any given day, maximising hydrogen yield. 

Dr. Graham Cooley, CEO of ITM Power, commented: "Full product type approval and CE certification for HBox Solar is an important achievement for ITM Power. The product carries several unique design features and offers autonomous hydrogen generation directly from solar power in off-grid situations.  Taking such a system through compliance has required a significant effort and represents the latest addition to the Company's expanding product portfolio. We look forward to the commercial launch of HBox Solar at the Hannover Messe next week."

For further information please visit www.itm-power.com or contact:

About ITM Power

ITM Power plc was admitted to the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange in 2004 and raised its initial funding of £6.2m in its IPO.  A further funding round of £28.5m was completed in 2006. The Company has now made the transition from a research and development company to a product manufacturer and technology provider. The Company has both a strong base of intellectual property and engineering expertise for providing complete hydrogen solutions. The Company has been successful in developing strategic industry partnerships in the following projects:

      HBox Solar case study

                  http://www.itm-power.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/CaseStudy3-HBoxSolar.pdf

      Electrolyser Distribution with Horizon Fuel Cells

http://www.horizonfuelcell.com/fuel_solutions_hbox.htm

      Marks & Spencer pilot materials handling fuel cell project

http://www.itm-power.com/news-item/ms-agreement/

      UKH2Mobility with leading auto OEM's, UK gov. and industrial gas companies

http://www.itm-power.com/about-itm/partners/?id=49

      EcoIsland with Toshiba, IBM, Cable & Wireless, SSE and Southern Water

http://www.itm-power.com/about-itm/partners/?id=46

      Boeing Unmanned Aircraft System Refueller

http://www.itm-power.com/news-item/agreement-with-boeing/

      CREO with Ford, Jaguar Land Rover and Johnson Matthey

http://www.itm-power.com/about-itm/partners/?id=45

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