Itm Power Regulatory News (ITM)

4 Dec 2006 07:02

ITM Power PLC04 December 2006 Monday, 4 December 2006 ITM Power Plc ("ITM" or "the Company") Progress Report Subsequent to this morning's announcement on the collaboration with ABRO, aTrading Fund of the Ministry of Defence, the Director's of ITM Power wish toprovide the following update on the joint development programme for the use ofelectrolytic hydrogen in vehicle engines with the University of Hertfordshire. •The operation of a diesel engine using a small addition of electrolytic hydrogen from an on-board ITM electrolyser to the existing diesel fuel: The Company has instituted a series of tests using the expert resources of theUniversity to determine if an admixture of hydrogen to diesel fuel can in somecircumstances significantly improve the operation of the diesel engine, reducingboth fuel consumption and emissions. As a result of initial tests, the University has reported significantimprovements in the steady speed power output of a diesel engine when suppliedwith hydrogen, indicating that the addition of hydrogen has a positive impact inthe compression ignition combustion process. This would be expected to convertinto fuel savings if the hydrogen was supplied by an ITM electrolyser mountedon-board the vehicle, though the extent of the fuel savings will depend upon theduty cycle of the vehicle. While no formal trials have yet been reported, theCompany has been advised by the University that in addition it expectssignificant improvements to be achieved to the emissions output from the engine. These early results from the diesel engine tests have established the technicalbasis for the MoU announced today. ITM anticipate that an extended series oftrials involving a range of different engines and operational conditions will benecessary to define the full potential of the technology. This trial programmecould take more than 6 months to complete. In view of the commercial sensitivity and potential value of these results it isnot expected that any further technical up-dates regarding this collaborationwill be made until trials have been completed. •Development of a Home Electrolyser Refuelling System and Bi-fuel car The second activity concerns the development of a home Electrolyser Refuelling System and Bi-Fuel car. This is intended to demonstrate the ability to refuel anexisting petrol engined car with hydrogen anywhere that has access to water andelectricity. The car should run entirely on hydrogen for up to 25 miles beforeautomatically switching to petrol for longer journeys. This project isprogressing satisfactorily and, as planned, is on track to roll out a 10kW ITMelectrolyser home refuelling device and a Bi-Fuel vehicle before the end of June2007. This aspect of ITM's work is not included in the MoU with ABRO and thusthere are no commercial restrictions on the Company making further technicalannouncements as this project proceeds. Ends For further information please contact: Gemma ChandlerITM Power PlcTel: 01799 532 860Mob: 07921 057712 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange