VANCOUVER and HOBRO,
Denmark, Jan. 14, 2020 /CNW/ - Ballard Power Systems
(NASDAQ: BLDP; TSX: BLDP) today announced that it has signed
Equipment Sales Agreements (ESAs) for the provision of an initial
500 FCgen®-1020ACS fuel cell stacks to adKor GmbH
("adKor"; www.adkor.de/en/) and SFC Energy AG ("SFC Energy";
www.sfc.com/en/), to be integrated into adKor's Jupiter backup
power systems for deployment at radio tower sites in Germany through the end of 2021.
Contracts have been awarded to adKor for the supply of fuel cell
backup power systems to support an initial tranche of 500 radio
tower sites in Germany – with the
potential for a total of up to 1,500 radio tower sites – and
adKor has sub-contracted a portion of the work to SFC Energy. As a
result, adKor and SFC Energy have signed development partnership
and licensing agreements, will share production activities for the
supply of Jupiter systems and are developing product line
extensions.
As production work is committed, adKor and SFC Energy each plan
to place purchase orders with Ballard for 2.9 kilowatt
FCgen®-1020ACS fuel cell stacks, with each Jupiter
backup power system utilizing from 1-to-3 of these fuel cell
stacks. German regulations require radio tower sites to have a
minimum of 72 hours of backup power, to ensure radio communications
for critical users in the event of a power blackout.
Oben Uluc, Ballard Sales Director
for EMEA said, "We are very pleased to announce these agreements
with adKor and SFC Energy for integration of our air-cooled fuel
cell stacks into the Jupiter backup power system. The German
government's decision to deploy fuel cell systems extensively for
backup power at radio tower sites is a result of the technology's
proven reliability and effectiveness in the field over the past
number of years."
Hartmut Kordus, adKor Managing
Director noted, "The fact that several federal states of
Germany have opted for our
hydrogen fuel cells to provide reliable emergency backup power to
their critical infrastructures clearly proves the attractiveness of
this environmentally friendly, innovative technology."
Peter Podesser, SFC Energy
Chairman and CEO added, "Looking forward, there are plans to equip
up to 1,500 radio tower sites all across Germany. This first nationwide programme
demonstrates the increasing importance of hydrogen fuel cells as a
valid and reliable alternative to conventional diesel generators to
provide power to critical infrastructures. We see major potential
for them as power and backup power sources also in many other
industrial applications, for example rail and transport monitoring,
data centers and transformer stations, and telecommunication
equipment."
Fuel cell backup power systems offer a number of advantages over
other emergency power solutions, including:
- High reliability and availability;
- Low operational cost;
- Zero-emissions, low noise and low vibration;
- Operation in extreme climates;
- Ease of use; and
- Compact footprint.
About Ballard Power Systems
Ballard Power Systems' (NASDAQ: BLDP; TSX: BLDP) vision is to
deliver fuel cell power for a sustainable planet. Ballard
zero-emission PEM fuel cells are enabling electrification of
mobility, including buses, commercial trucks, trains, marine
vessels, passenger cars, forklift trucks and UAVs. To learn more
about Ballard, please visit www.ballard.com.
This release contains forward-looking statements concerning
anticipated deliveries and deployments of 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.
SOURCE Ballard Power Systems Inc.