Project Update

RNS Number : 2401U

AFC Energy Plc

22 June 2009

 



22nd June 2009

AFC Energy PLC

('AFC Energy' or the 'Company')

Update on AkzoNobel Installation

AFC Energy, the low cost fuel cell company, is pleased to announce the demonstration of its fuel cell system successfully operating on industrially produced hydrogen at AkzoNobel's chlor-alkali plant in Bitterfeld, Germany.

In further detail, following the announcement made by the Company on the 16 April 2009 that it had delivered a fuel cell system to AkzoNobel, the company has successfully completed its: 

• practical review of the installation methodology and system integration. 

• installation of the fuel cell system

• testing of the fuel cell system, using standard electrodes

• demonstration of ease and speed of installation and changing of its electrode cartridge system

• repeated start up, thermal and load cycling tests

• demonstration of electricity generation using industrially produced hydrogen taken directly from a chlor-alkali plant without pre-treatment.

• Testing of invertor technology by feeding electricity produced from the fuel cell system into AkzoNobel's electricity grid.

The next significant phase will be to bring the fuel cell system to full commercial operation at Bitterfeld, by installing AFC Energy's proprietary low cost electrodes, and then deliver further fully operational systems. Work will continue both at AFC Energy's headquarters and on site at Bitterfeld to ensure progressive improvements to system performance so as to achieve full design specification. In particular, AFC Energy's work will be concentrating on optimising its proprietary low cost electrodes on an iterative basis.

The commercial goal of AFC Energy is that of an Energy Supply Company ('ESCO') whereby a customer supplies AFC Energy with hydrogen and AFC Energy sells electricity back to the customer or to the grid. The Company intends to initiate commercial discussions with interested parties for the joint development of ESCO models within the chlor-alkali industry where favourable subsidies in Europe and rising electricity prices are enabling the construction of business models with the potential for rapid payback of capital.

Ian Balchin, AFC Energy's Managing Director, said: 'This is a major milestone in the progress of the company. I wish to extend my thanks to the team of people from AFC Energy and AkzoNobel that have contributed towards this success. We have commenced work on producing a larger 25kW+ system and broadening commercial relations in the chlor-alkali industry.'

For further information please visit www.afcenergy.com or contact:

AFC Energy plc Tim Yeo, Chairman Ian Balchin, Managing Director	01483 276726
Astaire Securities Shane Gallwey / Lindsay Mair	020 7448 4400
Pelham Public Relations Chelsea Hayes	020 7337 1523

 

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