Ballard’s Electric Drives and Power Conversion Division Announces 80 kW High Speed Natural Gas Genset

 

For Immediate Release – July 8, 2002

 

Ballard Power System's E-Drive and Power Conversion Division today announces the introduction of a high-speed natural gas powered generator set capable of producing 80 kW for Standby standby applications.  The Ecostar ES080-42N-S genset produces nearly twice the power normally generated by its 4.2L Ford V6 engine by operating at twice the speed of conventional gensets at this power level (3600 RPM @ 60 Hertz, 3000 RPM @ 50 Hertz).

 

By increasing the engine speed, Ballard has also reduced the footprint and weight of the 80 kW system giving it the highest power density of any competing genset.  As a result, the genset also has the lowest cost per kilowatt at this power level. 

 

"We believe in offering a better environmental solution with this high density, low emissions, genset than is available from diesel genset manufacturers," said Ross Witschonke, Vice vice President president of Ballard's E-Drive and Power Conversion Division.

 

The genset has the highest fuel-to-wire efficiency due primarily to the excellent Ford NG engine efficiency (32% Efficientefficient).  The engine's Engine Control Performance Module (EPM) continually adjusts fuel and spark for the highest efficiency and lowest emissions of any engine in its class.

 

The genset is available with a modem for full communications and diagnostics.  Service and warranty are available from more than 500 authorized distributor service centers.

 

The brushless synchronous generator used in this genset can be configured to deliver 3 phase voltages, up to 480 volts; or single phase voltages, up to 240 volts.  Eight (8) distinct configurations enable the genset to serve both 60 Hz and 50 Hz applications at the voltages described above.  The configuration is selected by the customer and set at the factory prior to final testing.  Many performance features and options are also available.

 

The list price of the ES080-42N-S is $15,700 and delivery is 1-4 weeks.

 

This release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the beliefs of Ballard’s and Ford’s management and reflect current expectations as contemplated under the Safe Harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  When used in this release, the words “estimate”, “project”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect”, “plan”, “predict”, “may”, “should”, “will”, the negative of these words or such other variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  Such statements reflect the current views of Ballard and Ford Power Products with respect to future events based on currently available information and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements.

 

For investor information, please contact:                        For media information, please contact:

Michael Rosenberg                        Debbie Harris

Ballard Power Systems Inc.                        Ballard Power Systems Inc.

9000 Glenlyon Parkway                        9000 Glenlyon Parkway

Burnaby, BC, Canada V5J 5J9                        Burnaby, BC, Canada V5J 5J9

Tel: 604.412.3195 Fax: 604.412.3100                        Tel: 604.412.4740 Fax: 604.412.3100

 

For product information or orders, please contact:

Power Conversion Sales

Ballard Power Systems Inc.

15001 Commerce Drive North

Dearborn, MI  48120

Tel: 800.536.1126  Fax: 313.845.5349

 

 

Ballard’s Common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “BLD” and on the Nasdaq National Market System under the symbol “BLDP”.  Ballard, the Ballard logo and Power to Change the World are registered trademarks of Ballard Power Systems Inc.