LATHAM, NY, U.S.A., November 16, 2004 - Honda R&D
Americas and Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ: PLUG) today announced that they
have began successful operation of the second-generation Home Energy
Station (HES II) located at Plug Power’s corporate headquarters in
Latham, New York.
HES II is the further evolution of a joint development effort by Honda
and Plug Power to produce a home refueling unit that provides hydrogen
from natural gas for vehicle refueling, heat for domestic hot water use
and electricity for the home. Testing of the HES II system will be done
in conjunction with demonstration of Honda’s 2005 FCX fuel cell car on
public roads in the Northeastern U.S.
The development of this new, more compact, HES II, along with operation
of the Honda FCX and Honda FC Stack in sub-zero temperatures, represent
significant advancements in this industry-leading program to develop
advanced, real world, fuel cell vehicle and hydrogen refueling
solutions.
“Honda is taking a comprehensive approach that includes the
development of both fuel cell and refueling technologies, “ said Ben
Knight, Vice President Honda R&D Americas. “We feel that
home refueling could play an important role in the introduction of fuel
cell technology and the development of a hydrogen refueling
infrastructure.”
“We have enormous respect for Honda’s technical capabilities and are
excited to be part of this collaboration,” said Dr. Roger Saillant,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Plug Power. “The
development of a Home Energy Station represents an important milestone
towards a hydrogen infrastructure and sustainable energy future.”
In a continuation of earlier research efforts with the first-generation
HES station–located on the campus of Honda R&D Americas in
Torrance, California, the HES II incorporates several subsystems which
utilize Plug Power’s proprietary technology. By optimizing production
and storage of hydrogen for home use, the space needed for natural gas
reformation and hydrogen compression is significantly reduced.
Previously housed in two separate units, it has now been internalized
into one, significantly smaller package that includes the natural gas
reformer, hydrogen purifier, fuel cell stack, compressor, fuel storage
and delivery system. This fully integrated system now
provides improvements in overall operation and efficiency.
By testing the HES II in conjunction with the 2005 Honda FCX, Honda is
taking another step forward in its comprehensive approach to advancement
of both the vehicle and refueling infrastructure components of a
hydrogen-based transportation system. Honda began demonstration of its
2005 FCX with the Honda FC Stack on public roads in the Northeast in
September of this year.
The 2005 FCX, the world’s most advanced fuel cell vehicle, is the
first production fuel cell vehicle to be powered by Honda’s own unique
fuel cell stack (Honda FC Stack) with the ability to start and operate
in below-freezing temperatures, a significant breakthrough in fuel cell
vehicle technology.
The FCX is the first and only fuel cell vehicle to receive certification
from both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California
Air Resources Board (CARB), and in December 2002 became the first fuel
cell car leased for everyday commercial use.
About Plug Power
Plug Power Inc. designs and develops on-site energy systems based on
proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Plug Power’s strategic partners
include GE Fuel Cell Systems, DTE Energy Technologies, Vaillant GmbH,
Honda R&D Co., Ltd., Engelhard Corporation and Pemeas GmbH (formerly
Celanese Ventures.) The Company’s headquarters are located in Latham,
N.Y., with offices in Washington, D.C., and The Netherlands.
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