APD Air Products and Chemicals Inc

Green Energy Initiative Launched by Town of Hempstead LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., Oct. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Long Island, New York now boasts hydrogen vehicle fueling capability. Air Products' (NYSE: APD) hydrogen fueling technology was formally dedicated at a ceremony today as part of an alternative fuel, green energy initiative led by the Town of Hempstead. Air Products is a member of the project team establishing Long Island's first hydrogen fueling station, along with the Town of Hempstead, the New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA), National Grid, and Proton Energy Systems. "This is a wonderful project with a lot of visibility being located on Long Island. It showcases our dispensing technology, which has the capability to provide hydrogen generated from multiple sources, and in this case, generated by electrolysis from water. We have also fueled vehicles and provided hydrogen at other sites from electrolysis driven by solar and wind methods. The Town of Hempstead and all the New York agencies involved with this green energy demonstration project should be applauded for their effort," said Bruce Luff, business development manager-Hydrogen Energy Systems at Air Products. "We are very excited to be at the forefront of an innovative project that explores what we can do to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and improve our environment," said Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray. "By demonstrating hydrogen technology and educating the public about hydrogen as an alternative fuel, Hempstead Town's hydrogen fueling station will help us to lay the groundwork for a cleaner community and a greener planet for future generations." Hydrogen for this fueling station, located at the town's Conservation and Waterways facility in Point Lookout, will be produced through an electrolysis process that generates hydrogen from water. The process does not involve any fossil fuels. The electrolyzer is provided by Proton Energy Systems. "We are honored to be a part of Long Island's first hydrogen fueling station, an innovative and important project," said Rob Friedland, president and chief executive officer at Proton Energy Systems. "Our mission at Proton Energy is to apply advanced hydrogen technology in creative and practical ways to achieve the goals of a project. Hydrogen fueling stations such as Hempstead's offer major promise for the future, and today marks an important milestone in renewable energy initiatives." The project's goals are to demonstrate, evaluate and educate people about hydrogen's energy technology and potential. The technology includes an electrolyzer, hydrogen storage and compression system, and multiple fueling dispensers, which are able to provide hydrogen, a hydrogen and compressed natural gas blend, and compressed natural gas for alternative fueled vehicles. Air Products supplied the fueling technology and installed all hydrogen infrastructure for the demonstration project. Today's station dedication program had on-hand several hydrogen powered passenger vehicles providing vehicle fueling demonstrations, and ride and drive opportunities for attendees. Air Products' hydrogen powered bus, which operates daily at the company's headquarters and at nearby locales for civic, educational and charitable events, gave rides, and its interactively designed interior provided information and quizzes on hydrogen. There was also a fuel cell powered golf course greens-cutter lawn mower there for demonstration. Air Products, the leading hydrogen supplier to refineries to assist in making cleaner burning transportation fuels, has placed over 100 hydrogen fueling stations in the United States and 16 countries worldwide. Cars, trucks, vans, buses, scooters, forklifts, locomotives, planes and other material handling equipment, and even submarines, have been fueled with this trend-setting technology that involves Air Products' know-how, equipment and hydrogen. Use of the company's technology is increasing and is currently at 120,000 hydrogen fills per year. Air Products provides liquid and gaseous hydrogen, and HCNG (hydrogen/compressed natural gas) fueling, and has developed a variety of enabling devices and protocols for fuel dispensing at varied pressures. Hydrogen for these stations is delivered to a site via truck, or produced by on-site natural gas reformation, biomass conversion, or by electrolysis, including electrolysis that is solar and wind driven. Air Products has more than 50 years of hydrogen experience and is on the forefront of hydrogen energy technology development. Air Products has an extensive patent portfolio with over 50 patents in hydrogen dispensing technology. For more information on Air Products' hydrogen fueling station technologies go to http://www.airproducts.com/h2energy. About Air Products Air Products (NYSE:APD) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. In fiscal 2009, Air Products had revenues of $8.3 billion, operations in over 40 countries, and 18,900 employees around the globe. For more information, visit http://www.airproducts.com/. About Proton Energy Systems Proton Energy Systems designs and manufactures proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrochemical systems to make hydrogen from water in a zero pollution process producing safe, pure, reliable onsite hydrogen to meet today's global hydrogen requirements. Proton Energy Systems has been developing and manufacturing world-class electrolysis systems since 1996, with more than 1200 units deployed world-wide, on every continent. With a reputation for building robust, reliable, and safe systems, federal, state, and commercial partners repeatedly seek the creative solutions that Proton Energy Systems has proven it is capable of delivering. For more information, visit http://www.protonenergy.com/. ***NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations. DATASOURCE: Air Products CONTACT: Media: Art George, +1-610-481-1340, , or Investors: Nelson Squires, +1-610-481-7461, , both of Air Products Web Site: http://www.airproducts.com/

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