Proton Mtr Pwr Regulatory News (PPS)

25 Sep 2007 07:02

Proton Power Systems PLC25 September 2007 Press Release 25 September 2007 Proton Power Systems plc ("Proton Power" or "the Company") Proton Power Systems Unveils the World's First Triple-hybrid Forklift Truck Proton Power Systems plc (AIM: PPS), a leading designer, developer and producerof fuel cells and fuel cell-electric hybrid systems for the "back to base"market, today announces that it is has unveiled the world's first triple-hybridforklift system in Puchheim, near Munich, Germany. Designed as a "plug-and-drive" technology by Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH ("Proton Motor"), awholly owned subsidiary of Proton Power, the triple-hybrid system offerssignificant cost and energy savings and works with all battery types and brandsof forklift trucks. As stated in its results for the year ended 31 December 2006, together withbuses, forklift trucks are a key market segment for the Company and being ableto offer this unique technology represents an important milestone for ProtonPower, putting the Company in an excellent position to move intocommercialisation. The triple-hybrid system, "PM Package MH30", combines a fuel cell, a battery andsupercapacitors to form an energy-efficient power system, replacing the standardbattery package for the Class 1 forklift with an 80 V, 700Ah battery. As allcomponents are used in their optimal operation range, the system offers over 50%energy savings compared with diesel engine forklifts and fuel-cell-only systems. In addition, an intelligent energy management system controls the powerdistribution between the fuel cell, supercapacitors, and battery. The energyrecovered during braking is stored in the supercapacitors and batteries, whichprovide peak power during operations such as acceleration and lifting heavyloads. The 10 kW proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell delivers sufficientenergy to allow the forklift to work for an eight-hour shift and also features ashort recharge time where users can refuel hydrogen for a full working shift injust one minute. Including the supercapacitors the system can provide over 30 kW of peak power.Unlike batteries, which have long recharge and discharge times, supercapacitorscan quickly be charged and discharged for sudden spurts of peak demand. Theyalso allow the recovery of energy from highly dynamic actions such as braking.Complementing the supercapacitors, the battery provides energy buffering overlonger peak demand times. Felix Heidelberg, CEO of Proton Power, said: "With Proton Power's system, longbattery charging times, expensive charging stations and the associated logisticsare things of the past. Our triple-hybrid technology offers unbeatable energyand cost savings and represents the ideal construction of a hybrid power system. Along with the launch of our new facility in Puchheim earlier this month, ournewly unveiled triple-hybrid technology marks another essential step in bringingProton Power's technology to the commercial market." - Ends - For further information:Proton Power Systems plcFelix Heidelberg, CEO Tel: +49 (0) 89 1276265 0f.heidelberg@proton-motor.de www.protonpowersystems.com Noble & Company LimitedGraeme Bayley / John Llewellyn-Lloyd Tel: +44 (0) 20 7763 2200 www.noblegp.com Media enquiries:Abchurch Communications LimitedJustin Heath / Franziska Boehnke Tel: +44 (0) 20 7398 7700franziska.boehnke@abchurch-group.com www.abchurch-group.com Notes to Editors Proton Power Systems plc is a developer of fuel cells and fuel cell hybridsystems for motive and back-up power supply. Proton Power has more than 13 yearsof experience in the fuel cell market. Through its wholly owned subsidiary,Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH, the Company has developed and produced a fuel cellmodule running on hydrogen and integrated this with an energy storage system tocreate a hybrid electric fuel cell system. The system harnesses the excess powergenerated 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 lowerfuel consumption and more consistent levels of power delivery than conventionalcombustion engine or fuel cell-only systems, in addition to producing zeroharmful 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 thematerials handling and mass transportation sectors. In these markets, thecommercialization of applications is possible at a very early stage, as they donot depend on the existence of a ubiquitous hydrogen infrastructure. Throughpartnerships with leading OEMs such as Skoda and Linde, Proton Power'stechnology is already deployed in city buses and forklift trucks. Proton Power also targets the upcoming market for marine transportationapplications and provides the hybrid fuel cell propulsion system for Europe'sfirst fuel-cell powered passenger ferry, which will be operating in Hamburg from2008. Proton Power Systems plc was admitted to trading on AIM on 31 October 2006 andis based in the UK. Its operating subsidiary, Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH, islocated in Puchheim, near Munich, Germany. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange