16 Sep 2009 07:00
Zenergy Power plc
('Zenergy Power' or the 'Group')
European Environmental Prize
Zenergy Power (AIM:ZEN.L), the superconductor energy technology company, is proud to announce that it has, together with its manufacturing partner Bültmann GmbH ('Bültmann') been awarded Europe's largest environmental prize in recognition of the role of superconductors as a 'Key Technology for Industry and Climate Protection'.
The annual €500,000 prize is awarded by the German Federal Foundation for the Environment and will be shared by Zenergy Power and Bültmann with two other leading protagonists of sustainability and environmental protection. The selection of Zenergy Power and Bültmann relates to the pioneering work carried out on bringing to industry energy efficient processes powered by superconductor technology, and specifically the Group's groundbreaking superconductor induction heater product.
As confirmed by the Group's first industrial customer Weseralu GmbH ('Weseralu'), the use of a superconductor induction heater (also known as a Magnetic Billet Heater) in industrial operations leads to a 50% reduction in the amount of energy consumed during heating processes carried out on metal billets prior to their manipulation into products and profiles. This is of particular environmental significance when it is considered that in any industrialised country between 1% and 5% of the electricity supply is consumed in the operation of heating equipment by the metals industry. Further to these substantial energy savings, Weseralu has also reported that the use of the superconductor machine has led to an increase in production output of 25%.
The prize will be awarded to Zenergy Power by the German Federal President, Horst Köhler, in a ceremony to be held on the 25th of October.
Dr. Fritz Brickwedde, Secretary General to the German Federal Foundation for the Environment, commented:
"Zenergy Power and Bültmann accomplished a breakthrough on the way towards establishing superconductors as a key technology of sustainable power engineering",
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Further information
| Andrew Tan | Zenergy Power Plc | + 44 207 602 7420 |
| David Bick | Square 1 Consulting Ltd | + 44 207 929 5599 |
| Andrew Godber/Katherine Roe | Panmure Gordon & Co | + 44 207 459 5742 |
| Kam Bansil/Rory Scott | Mirabaud Securities Limited | + 44 207 866 0244 |
About Zenergy Power plc
Zenergy Power is a superconductor energy technology company, quoted on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange and comprising three operating subsidiaries located in Germany, USA and Australia. The Group's commercial focus is the innovation and manufacture of clean energy solutions that are built around a range of patented superconductor technologies and capable of delivering huge efficiency and cost improvements to the generation, distribution and consumption of electrical energy.
Today, the Group's groundbreaking superconductive solutions are already delivering energy savings to industrial users of electrical energy and providing cutting-edge protection from electrical power surges to the United State's electricity grid. Looking to the near future, the Group is currently developing a range of highly energy efficient superconductor components for a new class of electricity generators capable of delivering significant cost savings to the production of renewable energy. These cost savings will enable renewable energy to more effectively compete with traditional thermal power generation and lead to a greater reduction in carbon emission levels and a more sustainable economic future.
In 2007, Zenergy Power became the first company in the world to complete a commercial sale of an industrial scale superconductor application and has subsequently developed products capable of addressing several multi-billion dollar global markets. Following this in the first quarter of 2009, the Group proudly became the first company to install and operate a superconductor smart grid device, capable of significantly reducing the damaging effects of large-scale power surges, into the United State's electricity grid. In line with this leading industry position, Zenergy Power is also manufacturing core components for what is due to be the world's first superconductor electricity generator which is due for installation into E.ON AG's commercial hydro dam in January 2010. It is anticipated that the installation of the superconductor generator will increase the electricity output of this generator by 36%.
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.
Superconductors enable:
Energy intensive industrial applications capable of reducing energy consumption by 50%
The protection of national power grids from blackouts
The production of revolutionary light-weight, efficient 10MW class renewable wind generators capable of reducing the cost of offshore wind power by 25%
The production of a new class of compact and efficient hydro generators capable of significantly increasing electrical power output from existing and new hydro dam structures