VANCOUVER and CHICAGO, April 29,
2019 /CNW/ - Ballard Unmanned Systems, Inc. – a subsidiary
of Ballard Power Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: BLDP; TSX: BLDP) – today
announced the launch of the FCair™ fuel cell product line, a
complete long duration fuel cell power solution for commercial
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), at the AUVSI Xponential Annual
Conference and Expo 2019 being held in Chicago.
FCair™ includes an industry-leading hydrogen fuel cell power
system, hydrogen storage vessels, pressure regulators, refueling
solutions and hydrogen gas supply. The product line supports
commercial UAV manufacturers and operators in the delivery of fuel
cell-powered UAV benefits, including: 3x the flight duration of
batteries; 5x the reliability and a fraction of the noise of small
internal combustion engines; and significantly reduced operational
expenses.
Phil Robinson, Vice President
& General Manager, Ballard Unmanned Systems said, "We have
worked to focus UAV propulsion systems on high value commercial
applications. This year's AUVSI Xponential Conference marks a
milestone, with our display of the first fully integrated
commercial multi-rotor drone or UAV utilizing Ballard's FCair™
solution, including the support components and systems that make
this integration possible. We see significant long-term market
opportunities for zero-emission commercial drones and, eventually,
vertical takeoff and landing vehicles and autonomous flying
cars."
The Ballard product line includes FCair™-600 and FCair™-1200
liquid-cooled fuel cell power systems, with built-in hybrid battery
control and charging, and delivering 600 and 1200 watts of power,
respectively. These systems are currently in ongoing field trials,
having previously been proven in harsh environments and at high
altitudes. The FCair™ family also includes lightweight Carbon
Overwrapped Pressure Vessels (COPVs), which are hydrogen fuel tanks
based on recent advancements in the automotive and aerospace
industries. Lightweight pressure regulators, which reduce the 6,000
psi hydrogen storage pressure to 20 psi pressure needed for a fuel
cell, and which include features to assure safe and predictable
operation, are also being introduced.
Dr. Jim Sisco, Ballard Unmanned
Systems Technical Lead noted, "Over the past several AUVSI
Xponential conferences we have presented on a range of topics,
including hydrogen power and hydrogen storage technologies. As the
technology and markets matured, we have engaged with hydrogen
safety experts from the automotive and aerospace markets to ensure
that, as an industry, we are providing systems that are not only
high-performance and easy-to-use, but that are also safe from the
ground up."
Ballard Unmanned Systems is displaying FCair™ systems in booth
#1311 at the AUVSI Xponential Annual Conference and Expo 2019, and
will present Fuel Cell UAS: Hydrogen Safety, Handling, and Field
Experience in the Technology Track, in room S404a at
11:30 AM on Tuesday, April
30th.
About Ballard Power Systems
Ballard Power Systems
(NASDAQ: BLDP; TSX: BLDP) provides clean energy products that
reduce customer costs and risks, and helps customers solve
difficult technical challenges or address new business
opportunities. To learn more about Ballard, please visit
www.ballard.com.
This release contains forward-looking statements concerning
anticipated development results and impacts on our products. These
forward-looking statements reflect Ballard's current expectations
as contemplated under section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. Any such forward-looking statements are based on Ballard's
assumptions relating to its financial forecasts and expectations
regarding its product development efforts, manufacturing capacity,
and market demand.
These statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause
Ballard's actual results to be materially different, including
general economic and regulatory changes, detrimental reliance on
third parties, successfully achieving our business plans and
achieving and sustaining profitability. For a detailed discussion
of these and other risk factors that could affect Ballard's future
performance, please refer to Ballard's most recent Annual
Information Form. Readers should not place undue reliance on
Ballard's forward-looking statements and Ballard assumes no
obligation to update or release any revisions to these forward
looking statements, other than as required under applicable
legislation.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy securities. The Ballard
Common Shares have not been registered under the United States
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the securities laws of any
other jurisdiction and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an
applicable exemption from registration requirements.
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SOURCE Ballard Power Systems Inc.