19 May 2008 07:00
Embargoed Release: 07:00 hrs Monday 19 May 2008
Zenergy Power plc (`Zenergy' or the `Group') Induction Heater Utility Patent
Zenergy Power plc (AIM:ZEN.L), the specialist manufacturer and developer of commercial applications utilising high-temperature superconductive (`HTS') materials, is pleased to announce that it has received certification of a core utility patent relating to the overall design and operating process of its ground-breaking HTS induction heater. Accordingly, the Group now enjoys protection over several key design specifications that enable the HTS induction heater to deliver the industry's highest levels of heating performance both in terms of quality and overall industrial output whilst utilising substantially fewer high-cost components than alternative designs.
Importantly, it is the key performance and cost characteristics covered by this utility patent that have been responsible for the overall growing level of commercial interest in HTS solutions among the world's leading global metals producers.
Michael Fitzgerald, Chairman, commented:
`This latest addition to our patent portfolio from the German patent office plays a key role in safeguarding our long-term commercial exploitation of the incredible energy efficiencies of HTS technology; for the benefit of both the Group and its shareholders.'
Further to this patent, the Board acknowledges the substantial commercial interest that is being generated by the inherent energy efficiencies of all the Group's HTS technology and remains committed to its strategy of developing a growing range of patent protected energy efficient HTS industrial devices.
The current addressable market for the Group's induction heaters alone is estimated at c ¢â€š¬2 billion per annum.
-Ends- Further information:Dr. Jens Mƒ¼ller Zenergy Power Plc + 49 22 26 90 60 200 Vikki Krause Hansard Group + 44 207 245 1100 Tom Hulme Landsbanki Securities + 44 207 426 9000 (UK) Limited About Zenergy Group plc
Zenergy Power plc is a global specialist manufacturer and developer of commercial applications for superconductive materials. Comprising three operating subsidiaries located in Germany, USA and Australia, Zenergy is highly focussed on the commercialisation of a number of energy efficient applications to be adopted in renewable energy power generation, energy distribution and large scale, energy intensive industrial processes and achieved the world's first commercial sale of an industrial scale HTS device in September 2007.
About superconductivity
Superconductive materials are capable of conducting electricity without any resistance and were first discovered in 1911 in what was to prove to be one of the most significant scientific breakthroughs of the 20th century.
The global HTS market is substantial and growing, with a number of market studies projecting multi-billion dollar markets for the application of HTS materials and products. The proliferation of the use of superconductor materials is largely being driven by the following key factors:
(a) HTS materials are highly complementary to energy efficient technologies as a substitute for copper
(b) HTS wires have power densities of over 100x that of copper
(c) Current developments are leading to substantially reduced costs in the production of HTS wires and are targeting to be cheaper than copper over the next few years.
(d) HTS applications deliver exceptional energy efficiencies and thus reduced power consumption and running costs
(e) HTS technology is set to play a significant role in reducing CO2 emissions in line with international targets
(f) HTS applications are capable of delivering vastly increased levels of power with increased reliability and reduced material usage
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