DEARBORN, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 7, 2002--Ballard Power
Systems (NASDAQ:BLDP.Q) (TSX:BLD) and Ford Power Products, the
powertrain sales office of Ford Motor Company, today jointly
introduced and demonstrated Ballard's Ecostar(TM) hydrogen generator
set ("genset"), the world's first hydrogen fueled internal combustion
engine driven genset.
The Ecostar(TM) hydrogen genset will be the cleanest combustion
generator on the market. This environmental profile makes the genset
an attractive alternative to small turbines or combustion engines
using other fuels. The initial market for this product will be
utilities for peak power applications.
"Working with Ford Power Products, we are proud to demonstrate
Ballard's leadership in the introduction of revolutionary, clean,
power generation solutions," said Ross Witschonke, Vice President and
General Manager of Ballard's Electric Drives & Power Conversion
Division. "In addition to providing our customers with clean, siteable
power, this new product will provide Ballard with early revenue
opportunities, will increase public awareness of alternative fuels and
power solutions and assist in the development of a hydrogen
infrastructure."
The Ecostar(TM) hydrogen genset is capable of producing 114 kVA of
power at several voltage levels and phase options and is based upon a
standard 6.8-liter Ford production engine that has been modified and
warranted by Ford Power Products for hydrogen use. Commercial
production of the hydrogen genset will begin in the fourth quarter of
2002.
"The adaptation from a research and development proof-of-concept
engine to a production ready design was a short 12 months, a tribute
to our team, development partner Ballard and suppliers," said Paul
Moore, Director of Operations and Sales for Ford Power Products.
The Ecostar(TM) hydrogen genset joins the natural gas fueled
genset introduced by Ballard three weeks ago, as the second product in
the family of gensets introduced by Ballard using Ford Power Products
engines. Additional Ecostar(TM) gensets, providing cost effective
solutions to customers, enhanced performance and a superior
environmental profile, are expected to be introduced over the next few
years.
Ford Power Products supplies and markets Ford powertrains for use
in non-automotive applications. Since 1947, it has been a global
leader in providing superior value in power systems and service for
industrial, marine and on-highway Original Equipment Manufacturers
(OEMs). Ford Power Products' strategy includes a strong position in
emerging fuels and emissions technology. A photograph of the
Ecostar(TM) hydrogen genset is available on Ballard Power Systems'
website at www.ballard.com or on Ford Power Products' website at
www.fordpowerproducts.com.
This release contains forward-looking statements that are based on
the beliefs of Ballard's management and reflect Ballard's current
expectations as contemplated under the Safe Harbor provisions of the
U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in
this release, the words "estimate", "project", "believe",
"anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may", "should",
"will", the negative of these words or such other variations thereon
or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking
statements. Such statements reflect the current views of Ballard with
respect to future events based on currently available information and
are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking
statements.
Ballard Power Systems is recognized as the world leader in
developing, manufacturing and marketing zero-emission proton exchange
membrane fuel cells. Ballard is commercializing fuel cell engines for
transportation applications and fuel cell systems for portable and
stationary products ranging from 1 kilowatt to 250 kilowatts. Ballard
is also commercializing electric drives for fuel cell and
battery-powered electric vehicles, power conversion products for fuel
cells, natural gas and hydrogen generator sets and other distributed
generation products, and is a Tier 1 automotive supplier of friction
materials for powertrain components. Ballard's proprietary technology
is enabling automobile, bus, electrical equipment, portable power and
stationary product manufacturers to develop environmentally clean
products for sale. Ballard is partnering with strong, world-leading
companies, including DaimlerChrysler, Ford, EBARA, ALSTOM and
FirstEnergy, to commercialize BALLARD(R) fuel cells. Ballard has
supplied fuel cells to Honda, Nissan, Volkswagen, Yamaha, Cinergy,
Coleman Powermate and Matsushita Electric Works, among others.
Ballard's Common shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange
under the trading symbol "BLD" and on the Nasdaq National Market
System under the symbol "BLDP". Ballard, the Ballard logo and Power to
Change the World are registered trademarks of Ballard Power Systems
Inc. Ecostar is a registered trademark of Ballard Power Systems Corp.
Ford Power Products, the Ford Power Products logo and The Source for
Power...Worldwide are registered trademarks of Ford Motor Company. |
