CALL.L Regulatory News (CALL)

7 Jan 2010 07:00

Zenergy Power plc('Zenergy Power' or the 'Group')

 Magnetic Billet Heater: Repeat Order

 Metals Producer Converts Operations to 100% Superconducting

Zenergy Power (AIM:ZEN.L), the superconductor energy technology company, is pleased to announce that it has, in conjunction with its industrial partner Bültmann GmbH, received a further order for a Magnetic Billet Heater ('MBH'); taking the total number of units sold in the past six months to three. Of further significance, the Board is also pleased to note that the machine has been purchased by the Group's first customer, Weseralu GmbH & Co. KG ('Weseralu') and so this represents the first instance of a repeat order for a superconductor MBH.

As previously announced, Weseralu became the first industrial metals producer to install and operate a superconductor MBH in a commercial extrusion line in July 2008. Full installation and integration of the Group's low-energy/high productivity machine took just a few days and upon immediate operation Weseralu benefited from a 50 per cent reduction in energy consumption and a 25 per cent increase in productivity. Since that time, Weseralu has been further impressed with the machine's low maintenance requirements, superior heating quality and versatile operation. It is as a result of these now proven economic and operational advantages of Zenergy Power's patented machine that Weseralu has taken the decision to replace the last of the remaining conventional heaters in their commercial premises based in Minden, Germany with a further superconductor powered heater; just 18 months after installing the world's first industrial-scale machine based on superconductors.

Following the installation of this second machine, Weseralu's extrusion business, which is capable of processing in excess of 14,000 tonnes of aluminium per annum, will operate using only Zenergy Power's superconductor based heating equipment.

Dr Jens Mueller, CEO, commented:

 'This order is of huge significance to the Group and is a particularly satisfying win. There are no greater endorsements of a new technology than either the repeat business of an early customer or the complete replacement of an incumbent solution. In this instance we have both; and this clearly demonstrates the disruptive and game changing nature of our superconductor technology. The economic payback on our machines can be less than one year and I am particularly pleased to see that our first customer has realised the benefits of this and made the decision to purchase a further machine so soon after their initial order.'

 Heinz Hagemann, Managing Director, Weseralu, commented:

'The adoption of Zenergy Power's superconductor-based heating equipment has for the past 18 months enabled Weseralu to set new standards in energy efficient production. Further to this, the superior heating performance of the machine has enabled us to operate our extrusion line with a greater degree of versatility and significantly improved our overall productivity levels.

 Although the past year has been a period of uncertainty for the metals industry as a whole, we enter into 2010 with renewed confidence and anticipate improving economic conditions and increasing output levels. With this in mind, it is with great pleasure that Weseralu marks the return to an economy conducive to capital expenditure with a purchase of a second Zenergy Power MBH. I very much look forward to expanding the economic and environmental benefits of superconductor-based heating to the remainder of our operations.'

-Ends-

Further information 

About Zenergy Power plc

 Zenergy Power plc is a superconductor energy technology company, listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange and comprising three operating subsidiaries located in Germany, USA and Australia. By innovating superconductor based technology solutions, the Group provides patented clean energy devices that greatly improve the efficiency with which customers generate, distribute and use electrical energy. 

To date, the incredibly energy efficient superconductive components at the heart of Zenergy's products have successfully delivered industrial customers significant reductions in energy consumption and provided utility companies with cutting-edge smart gird solutions. Looking to the near future, the Group is also developing a range of highly-energy efficient superconductor components for electricity generators capable of greatly reducing the cost of producing offshore wind power. All of which leads to the production of fewer carbon emissions in the world and a more sustainable economic growth path. In 2007 Zenergy achieved the world's first sale of an industrial scale commercial application incorporating superconductor technology and has subsequently developed products capable of addressing multi-billion dollar global markets.

 About Magnetic billet heating

Conventional induction heaters are used globally and ubiquitously by producers and manufacturers of metal goods for heating and softening large quantities of metal bulk prior to carrying out processes of manipulation and shaping. Currently, these processes require the consumption of vast amounts of electrical energy and studies have shown that between 1% and 5% of an industrialised country's annual electricity consumption can be directly attributed to this. It is in consideration of the associated costs and environmental impact of this excessive energy consumption that the Group's superconductor machine has been designed to operate with energy efficiency levels of over 85% as compared to conventional machines that operate with efficiency levels of between 35% and 45%. This effective halving of electricity requirement is of particular interest to customers, regulators and governments alike when considering the significant role that the Group's machine can play in reducing CO2 emissions in line with international targets. As with all of Zenergy Power's commercial applications, the Group is focussed on the superconductor components that lie at the heart of the patented MBH which govern its overall heating performance and greatly reduced energy requirements.

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:

 (a)  Induction Heaters to be twice as efficient for the metals industry 

(b)  Fault Current Limiters to protect power grids from blackouts 

(c)  Direct-drive wind generators to be significantly reduced in size and weight allowing the operation of wind generators in excess of 8 MW

(d)  Existing hydro-power sites to increase energy efficiency and electrical power output.