Ceramic Fuel Cells Regulatory News (CFU)

15 Dec 2006 07:58

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited15 December 2006 December 15, 2006 CERAMIC FUEL CELLS LIMITED TO COLLABORATE WITH GAZ DE FRANCE AND DE DIETRICH THERMIQUE FOR RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL HEAT AND POWER SYSTEM Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited (CFCL), a world leading manufacturer of solid oxidefuel cells for micro-combined heat and power (m-CHP) units, today announces thatit has signed a product development agreement with Gaz de France, Europe'sleading distributor of natural gas, and De Dietrich Thermique, to develop afully integrated m-CHP unit for the French residential market. Gaz de France has an interest in 'distributed generation', or energy generatedclose to the consumer, as demand for more efficient power and heating systemscontinues to grow. Gaz de France is leading the EU-DEEP program, a €30M programto evaluate decentralised energy systems. Gaz de France is also an active memberof the EU Commission Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Program. De Dietrich Thermique is the largest provider of gas heating systems in theFrench market and has a portfolio of renewable and low carbon heating systems.Domestic CHP is a new strategic market for De Dietrich Thermique which has beenassessing fuel cell and other generator technologies for several years. DeDietrich Thermique also has an extensive network of installers and will havetrained nearly 10,000 French installation engineers at their in-house facilitiesover the last 12 months. Under the terms of the agreement, CFCL, De Dietrich Thermique and Gaz de Francewill define the specifications and requirements for a CHP appliance for theFrench residential market. De Dietrich Thermique will undertake the integrationof the fuel cell into their condensing boiler platforms. CFCL, De Dietrich Thermique and Gaz de France will commence work on the projectimmediately. Gaz de France will then conduct a test programme of the prototype to demonstratethe unit's efficiency, reliability and incorporation into the electricity grid.The parties have agreed not to disclose other terms of the agreement. Brendan Dow, Chief Executive Officer of CFCL, commented: "We are delighted to be entering a second European market through thiscollaboration with a leading European boiler manufacturer and a major Europeanutility. The agreement is further evidence of CFCL's leading position in thedevelopment of solid oxide fuel cells for the residential CHP market. We lookforward to working together with Gaz de France and De Dietrich Thermique toproduce an efficient and low emission CHP unit for French homes." Mr Jean-Pierre Piollat, Director of the client branch of Gaz de France saidthat: "Gaz de France is pleased to be working in partnership with CFCL and DDT in thedevelopment of this specialised micro-generator-condensing boiler which willdeliver to householders a level of comfort at least equal to aconventional condensing boiler but with superior energy performance, economy and added environmental benefits." Dominique Henneresse, CEO of De Dietrich Thermique, added:"Joining forces with CFCL and Gaz de France represents for De Dietrich Thermiquean excellent opportunity to confirm our leading position in the field of highefficiency heating and hot water solutions to provide significant energysavings, while protecting the environment in line with current and futureregulations."We are constantly innovating in combined energy systems and the micro-CHPtechnology fits perfectly our vision of the future of residential heating andgeneration."ENDS A conference call for analysts will take place at 9.30am GMT today. Pleasecontact Sarah Richardson at Hogarth Partnership on +44 (0) 20 7357 9477 fordetails. For further information please contact: Ceramic Fuel CellsAndrew Neilson Tel: +61 419 950 771Brendan Bilton Tel: +44 (0) 7798 554 191 Email: investor@cfcl.com.au Hogarth Partnership Tel: +44 (0) 20 7357 9477Nick Denton / Sarah MacLeod NOTES TO EDITORS About CFCL Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited is a world leader in developing solid oxide fuel cell(SOFC) technology which can provide reliable, energy efficient, high-quality,and low-emission electricity from widely available natural gas and renewablefuels. CFCL is developing SOFC products for small-scale on-site micro combinedheat and power (m-CHP) and distributed generation units that co-generateelectricity and heat for domestic use. CFCL is listed on the London StockExchange AIM market and the Australian Stock Exchange (code CFU). www.cfcl.com.au About Gaz de FranceGaz de France is a major player in Europe's energy. Gaz de France employs morethan 53,000 people and in 2005 reported sales of 22.4 billion euros and a Groupnet income of 1.7 billion euros. The group boasts a portfolio of 13.8 millioncustomers, 11.1 million of which are in France. The Company was listed on theParis Bourse in July 2005 and entered the CAC 40 and the Dow Jones Stoxx 600indexes in September 2005. www.gazdefrance.com About De Dietrich Thermique De Dietrich Thermique (DDT) is one of the largest boiler manufacturers in Europeand is part of the Remeha Group BV. The group has revenues of some €540 millionin 2005, employs 2500 people and sells products into 40 countries around theworld. DDT also has 10 in-house training centres around Europe, which have beenrecently used to retrain installation engineers for the new condensing boilertechnology. In-house expertise also includes a team of 100 engineers andscientists involved in the design and development of new control systems andproducts. www.dedietrich.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange