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To: sa-mule who wrote (1197)	4/18/2000 1:08:00 PM
From: Boplicity	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 13572

Plug Power, Germany's Axiva seek fuel cell cost cuts LATHAM, N.Y., April 18 (Reuters) - Plug Power Inc. <PLUG.O>, a developer of residential fuel cells, said Tuesday it is working with Axiva GmbH to simplify its fuel cells and reduce manufacturing costs. Plug Power and Axiva, a subsidiary of German-based Celanese AG <CZZG.DE> are working to develop a high temperature membrane electrode unit (MEU) which is a fuel cell component. A fuel cell converts hydrogen -- contained in fuels such as natural gas, methanol, gasoline, etc. -- and an oxidant (air or oxygen) into electricity. Numerous individual cells stacked together form the fuel cell stack that provides the required power. The fuel cell stack is made up of membranes, electrodes, and gas diffusion layers (together known as the MEU) which are sandwiched between bipolar plates. The hydrogen, which is ionized, passes through the membranes where it combines with oxygen from the air to produce water, heat, and electricity. Analysts now expect Plug Power to receive about $4,000 in revenues from each of its current fuel cells when commercial sales begin next year, adding the residential units are expected to cost $7,000 to $10,000 installed. Under a joint development agreement reached with Axiva, Plug Power hopes to develop a high temperature MEU for its fuel cell systems, the company said. It said MEUs using technology developed by Axiva are expected to enable Plug Power's fuel cell systems to operate reliably at temperatures above 120 degrees Centigrade. This high operating temperature improves fuel cell tolerance to certain pollutants, enables the user to effectively use the heat so that system efficiency is increased, Plug Power explained. It would also reduce overall system complexity by simplifying the fuel processor, which removes the hydrogen from the fuel being used. Plug Power owners include its founders, DTE Energy <DTE.N> and Mechanical Technology <MKTY.O>, with 32.5 percent each; General Electric <GE.N>; and a Sempra Energy <SRE.N> subsidiary, Southern California Gas Co., the largest U.S. natural gas distribution company.