Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Gold/Mining/Energy : Global Thermoelectric - SOFC Fuel cells (GLE:TSE) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Madpinto who wrote (299)	4/9/1999 1:07:00 PM
From: BLZBub	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 6016

Mike, I don't have your answer, but GLE looks like a keeper right now. Check out this news article from the front page of the Calgary Herald business section: calgaryherald.com Friday 9 April 1999 Company pins hopes on 'super' fuel cell Charles Frank, Calgary Herald Calgary's Global Thermoelectric Inc. is hoping a new "super" fuel cell developed by company researchers will power the industry leader into new -- and perhaps previously uncharted -- markets. "It's not quite a cure for cancer," company president and chief executive officer Jim Perry said Thursday in announcing Global's new generation of solid oxide fuel cells, "but it should move us a long way towards a new line of commercial products." Among those new products, say company officials, could be electric cars, residential generating stations and fuel-cell-powered telecommunications systems. Fuel cells operate by chemically combining oxygen and hydrogen to produce electricity, with water as a byproduct. "I think they are definitely on to something," says Acumen Capital Finance Partners technology analyst Mike Hill. "But they still have a long way to go before they have a commercial product." Global, the world's largest supplier of remote thermal electric power systems -- including generators -- recorded sales of $16 million in 1998. The company, which exports 70 per cent of its production to 47 countries, operates a manufacturing facility in Bassano, approximately 120 kilometres east of Calgary. However, Global's research and development activities are carried out in Calgary. "This new cell will provide for a natural extension of what we now do and should enable us to increase the output of our remote systems significantly," said Perry. Global's largest remote system can currently generate approximately 550 watts of electricity. With this week's technological advances, company officials believe they will be able to manufacture systems as large as 30,000 watts. "We hope to have a prototype by this time next year," said Perry, who sees the initial commercial applications of Global's new technology being used to supply power for oil and gas and telecommunications applications in remote areas. "This new design should allow us to significantly shrink the physical size of future fuel cell systems to allow much broader applications." Down the road, Perry speculates, Global's new fuel cell systems could be used to provide electricity, heat and hot water for homes or light industrial applications, as well as electricity in hybrid electric passenger cars. Vancouver-based Ballard Power Systems has attracted worldwide interest for its landmark work on fuel cell technology over the last decade. And in 1998, both the Ford Motor Co. and Mercedes-Benz invested heavily in the West Coast company, whose products are currently powering prototype vehicles in several cities. However, Global officials say their fuel cell technology is not only significantly different than the technology used in Ballard fuel cells, but could lead to changes in the way hybrid-powered vehicles now under development at virtually all major vehicle manufacturers are conceived and developed. For starters, when operating on gasoline, solid oxide fuel cells would be able to tolerate levels of impurity that would poison proton exchange membrane systems such as those being developed by Ballard Power, say Global officials. As a result, if turns out that new vehicle technology becomes predicated on using the existing service station network, solid oxide fuel cell vehicles could have a decided advantage. "We will be focusing on remote power applications first, but I expect as this develops there will be tremendous opportunities -- especially in Europe," said Perry.

To: Madpinto who wrote (299)	4/9/1999 2:04:00 PM
From: Sleeperz	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 6016

GLE's technology was not totally developed inhouse but was a technology transfer from a German Technology Institute. GLE does not yet have the high profile partners that Ballard has like Ford and DC. But on the plus side is the GLE is already in the mobile power and heater business and is certified for military specifications. Mil-Spec CL I feel I must be missing something. A profitable company with this type of technology should not trade so cheaply. Can anyone enlighten me?