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CLIFTON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 5, 2001--H Power Corp. (NASDAQ: HPOW), a leading fuel cell development company, today announced that its products performed successfully in tests conducted by Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) on behalf of the U.S. Air Force's Air Expeditionary Force Battlelab (AEFB), Common Core Power Production (C2P2) Initiative. The U.S. Air Force Battlelabs are chartered to demonstrate the military utility of existing technologies and accelerate emerging technologies to meet USAF needs and requirements.
Using H Power's hydrogen-powered fuel cell systems, the U.S. Air Force's Air Expeditionary Force Battlelab C2P2 Initiative successfully demonstrated that Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells have the potential to provide the core of all AEF power production, from powering an office in a tent city to aircraft ground support equipment on the flight line. During the C2P2 project, the capabilities of H Power's systems underwent four tests:
-- The use of one H Power fuel cell system to power an office
suite, followed by the use of the same fuel cell to operate a
flight line lighting unit (4.0 kW at 120 volt, 60 Hz AC).
-- The use of two H Power fuel cell systems bussed together to
supply power to a simulated aircraft load on the ground (8kW
at 208Y/120 volt, 400 Hz AC).
-- The combination of three H Power fuel cell systems to power
industrial shop equipment and various aircraft support
equipment (12kW at 480Y/277 volt 60 Hz AC).
-- The incorporation of two H Power fuel cell stacks into a
commercial-off-the-shelf battery operated Towbarless Tow
Vehicle, marking the first practical fuel cell application in
aviation support equipment. The fuel cells powered the tow
vehicle's drive train and also generated 120 volt, 400Hz
aircraft servicing and maintenance power. With the fuel cells,
the hybrid tow vehicle is now more efficient than a diesel
powered model and no longer requires the use of grid power to
be recharged.
Operation of the Tow Vehicle was also demonstrated with a moderate load using fuel cell system power alone.
H. Frank Gibbard, Chief Executive Officer of H Power, commented, "We are very pleased to have been given this opportunity by the U.S. Air Force to demonstrate the effectiveness of our products and technology. As a leading developer of high- and low-power fuel cell systems, we recognize the significant advantages that fuel cells can bring to users, and are pleased to have demonstrated these features, as well as the systems' reliability in these tests. We look forward to continuing our relationship with CTC and the USAF in the future."
Master Bob Wertz, Director Aerospace Ground Support Equipment Systems of AEFB, commented, "The C2P2 project and H Power's systems performed as we hoped they would, demonstrating that fuel cells can be used as common, interchangeable power sources for Air Force's expeditionary power production and aircraft support needs. For the USAF, the advantages of this emerging technology include significantly reduced logistics and training requirements, a reduction in the amount of hazardous waste and emissions, lower preparation time to achieve mobility, and a reduction in vulnerability due to decreased heat signature. Taken together, these factors provide a compelling reason for the Air Force to continue exploring the feasibility of fuel cell applications."
About H Power Corp.
H Power Corp. is a leading fuel cell development company and one of the first providers to complete a commercial sale of a proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell system. PEM fuel cells generate electricity efficiently and cleanly from the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen is typically derived from conventional fuels such as natural gas or propane, and oxygen is drawn from the air. H Power's fuel cells are designed to provide electricity for a wide range of stationary, portable and mobile applications including residential cogeneration products for rural, remote homes, and backup power units for mobile applications. For additional information, please visit our website at www.hpower.com.