PPS develops fuel-cell ship

26 Jan 2007 07:01

Proton Power Systems PLC26 January 2007 PPS develops first hydrogen fuel cell-powered ship London, January 26, 2007... Proton Power Systems plc ("PPS"), one of the world'sleading electric hybrid fuel cells companies, today announces progress on itsdevelopment of the first hydrogen fuel cell-powered ship capable of carrying upto 100 passengers. From the summer of 2008, it will operate on Hamburg's Alster river. It is 25 mlong, 5 m wide, and accommodates 100 passengers. The project called Zero Emission Ships (ZEMSHIPS) is funded by the EuropeanCommission as part of its LIFE-Environment funding programme for environmentalinnovation. As part of the project team PPS' subsidiary, Proton Motor ("PM"), is developingthe propulsion system for ZEMSHIPS' motor using technology, based on itssuccessful bus fuel cell application. The contract for PM is worth €1.15million. Staged payments will be made over a 36-month period. ZEMSHIPS is justone of several public sector funding projects that PM is involved in over thenext six months. Felix Heidelberg, PPS' Chief Executive Officer, said "The requirement to improveair quality around major cities and the increasing worldwide acceptance of theneed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions as a defence against climate change aremajor drivers of our business. "Not only will the ship eliminate emissions, it is also much quieter - so acandlelit dinner on deck will no longer be spoiled by the sound of groaningengines and the smell of exhaust fumes. "Our technology matches the needs of the public and private sector alike tolower fuel consumption and eliminate harmful emissions, while at the same timeimprove the efficiency and performance of short distance transport fleets." Other partners involved in the ZEMSHIPS project include: Alster-Touristik, thetourist ferry operator; Linde, which will be supplying the hydrogeninfrastructure; the Government of the City of Hamburg, acting as coordinator;the Hamburg transport authority, Hamburger Hochbahn and Germanischer Lloyd forcertification; as well as scientific institutions from Germany and the CzechRepublic. For further Information contact: Media:Gavin Anderson & Company +44 207 554 1400 Ken Cronin Marie Cairneykcronin@gavinanderson.co.uk mcairney@gavinanderson.co.uk Commercial:Proton Power Systems +49 8151 26 86 422 Joachim Kroemerj.kroemer@proton-motor.de Notes to Editors PPS, through its subsidiary Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbH ("PM") has developed andproduced a standard fuel cell module, fuelled by hydrogen integrated with anenergy storage system to create a hybrid electric fuel cell system capable ofproviding power during peak demand situations. The market focus is on industrialapplications where 'back-to-base' refueling occurs, on site, at the end of eachshift or work period. The Group has identified opportunities to replace lead-acid batteries with theirPEM fuel cell systems and has identified niche markets in the materials handlingand mass-transportation sectors where hybrid electric fuel cell systems offerconsiderable advantages over conventional engine technology and fuel cell onlydrive systems. The Group has identified two initial market segments in which theDirectors believe the advantages of hybrid electric fuel cell systems will leadto economic benefits for the end user - forklift trucks and buses. In mostcases, vehicles operate within a defined radius or return to central points ofoperation. The many advantages over current commercial alternatives include lower fuelconsumption, longer periods between refueling, shorter refueling, consistentlevels of power delivery and zero harmful emissions. PM's technology development has been undertaken with the key objectives ofmultiple applications and volume production. PPS listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) on October 31, 2006. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange