Proton Mtr Pwr Regulatory News (PPS)

16 Sep 2008 07:00



Proton Power Systems plc

("Proton Power" or "the Group")

World first approval for new fuel cell module

PM 200 certified by leading international service organisation TÜV SÜD 

Proton Power Systems plc (AIM: PPS), a leading designer, developer and producer of fuel cells and fuel cell electric hybrid systems, is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary, Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH ("Proton Motor" or "The Company"), has been awarded the world's first ever fuel cell seal of approval by TÜV SÜD for its new fuel cell module, the PM 200, based on the international standard DIN EN 62282-2.

The award is given to systems meeting specific requirements in terms of safety and technical perfection. The approval will enable the Company to start automated volume production at its plant in Puchheim, Germany, leading to a capacity of several thousand stacks a year. The PM 200 enables increased power density and performance for use in fork-lift trucks, buses, municipal vehicles and uninterruptible power supply, including those used for telecommunications systems. It also provides frost-proof storage and has been designed to enable optimised automation of the production process.

Commenting on the award Thomas Melczer, CEO of Proton Power, said: "This is a significant milestone for the Group and is testament to the high quality of our technology. With the rising shortage of fossil fuels, there has been an increased demand for hydrogen and fuel cell technology. Up until now fuel cell modules have been produced individually in small quantities, which has made them very expensive. The PM 200 was developed specifically to enable volume production and its certification is testament not only to the quality and durability of our product, but also the result of a ten year co-operation with TÜV SÜD. This unique seal of approval by such a prestigious, global organisation represents a key milestone for the Group and we look forward to significantly up-scaling our production as a result."

TÜV SÜD Industrie Service has developed a seal of its own for certifications based on DIN EN 62282-2:2008-1. The technical requirements correspond to those of the international IEC 62282-2 standard. The PM 200 module is the very first product in the world to receive this TÜV SÜD approval for a fuel cell module. 

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About Proton Power

Proton Power Systems plc is a developer of fuel cells and fuel cell hybrid systems for motive and back-up power supply. Proton Power has more than 14 years of experience in the fuel cell market. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH, the Company has developed and produced a fuel cell module running on hydrogen and integrated this with an energy storage system to create a hybrid electric fuel cell system. The system harnesses the excess power generated by the fuel cell during partial load (such as stop-start operations) and uses the stored energy in peak demand times. The system thus boasts lower fuel consumption and more consistent levels of power delivery than conventional combustion engine or fuel cell-only systems, in addition to producing zero harmful emissions.

Proton Power's market focus lies in industrial applications where 'back-to-base' refuelling occurs at the end of each shift or work period, such as in the materials handling and mass transportation sectors. In these markets, the commercialisation of applications is possible at a very early stage, as they do not depend on the existence of a ubiquitous hydrogen infrastructure. Through partnerships with leading OEMs such as Skoda Electric and Karmann, Proton Power's technology is already deployed in city buses and forklift trucks.

Proton Power also targets the upcoming market for marine transportation applications and provides the hybrid fuel cell propulsion system for Europe's first fuel-cell powered passenger / river boat ferry, which will be operating in Hamburg from 2008. 

Proton Power Systems plc was admitted to trading on AIM on 31 October 2006 and is incorporated in the UK. Its operating subsidiary, Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH, is located in Puchheim, near Munich, Germany.

About TÜV SÜD

TÜV SÜD is a leading international service organization catering to the business segments INDUSTRY, MOBILITY and PEOPLE. With over 11,000 employees, it is represented worldwide at more than 600 locations. As partners in our customers' processes, our specialist teams ensure that technology, systems and know-how are optimized, thus strengthening our customers' global competitiveness.