Ballard Ships 250 kW Stationary Fuel Cell Power Generator

Ballard Power Systems subsidiary Ballard Generation Systems shipped its second 250 kW stationary fuel cell power generator for field testing through its associated company Alstom Ballard to Bewag AG's Treptow heating plant in Berlin, Germany. This power generator, which uses Ballard fuel cells, will be tested by a consortium of European electric companies led by Bewag, the largest supplier of power and heat in Berlin.

"This marks the beginning of our field trial program in Europe," said Jim Kirsch, president of Ballard Generation Systems. "We are confident that by providing an alternative to centralized power plants, we are meeting the market needs resulting from utility deregulation in Europe. We have much to learn from this field demonstration program which will assist us in achieving our goals for commercialization."

Alstom Ballard is a jointly held company of ALSTOM France S.A. and Ballard Generation Systems with a mandate to supply Ballard Generation Systems fuel cell power generators incorporating the Ballard fuel cell to customers in Europe.

Ballard Generation Systems was formed to commercialize PEM fuel cell stationary power generators that use the Ballard fuel cell. In addition to Ballard Power Systems, its shareholders include GPU International of New Jersey, ALSTOM France S.A., and Ebara Corporation of Japan.

Edited by April C. Murelio
editor@poweronline.com