VANCOUVER and HOBRO,
Denmark, May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - Ballard Power
Systems (NASDAQ: BLDP; TSX: BLDP) today announced its collaboration
with ABB (www.abb.com/marine) and other consortium partners in the
Flagships project (https://flagships.eu) to develop and launch a
zero-emission river push boat, planned for deployment in
France in 2021 to push river
barges. Ballard is planning to deliver 2 of its next-generation
200-kilowatt fuel cell modules in 2020, which will provide
propulsion power for the vessel.
The river push boat will be owned and operated by Sogestran
Group subsidiary Compagnie Fluviale de Transport (CFT) on the Rhône
river in France, with the
objective of demonstrating that fuel cell-powered propulsion offers
a cost-effective and practical zero-emission solution for owners
and builders of mid-sized vessels carrying more than 100 passengers
or the equivalent freight volumes inland or coastally.
With maritime transport estimated to emit approximately 940
million tons of CO2 annually, there is increased
pressure for the shipping industry to deploy means of reducing
harmful pollutants. Since the river push boat will use hydrogen
fuel sourced from shore-based renewable energy for a Ballard
zero-emission fuel cell system, the complete vessel energy chain
will be emission-free.
Jesper Themsen, President and CEO of Ballard Power Systems
Europe A/S noted, "This project work with ABB and other consortium
partners – in addition to the large-scale fuel cell system work we
are doing with ABB for the cruise ship segment – will benefit from
our recently announced Marine Center of Excellence located here in
Hobro. We continue to experience growing interest around
zero-emission solutions for the marine industry, with this river
push boat being another example."
Jostein Bogen, Product Manager
for Fuel Cells at ABB Marine & Ports said, "Once the fuel cell
power plant has been fitted, the plan is to run this vessel daily,
with special attention being paid to the refueling procedures
needed to meet the operating schedule. Trials will therefore also
provide valuable insights into developing and optimizing the
refueling infrastructure needed for hydrogen fuel cells in marine
operations, in line with ABB's vision that both fuel cells and
battery power represent ship propulsion's electric, digital and
connected future."
This project is supported by the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint
Undertaking (FCH JU), a public private partnership established
under Europe's Horizon 2020
frameworks to accelerate commercial realization of the technology
in a range of transport and energy uses. This joint undertaking
also receives support from Hydrogen Europe and Hydrogen Europe
research.
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 and business challenges in
their fuel cell programs. To learn more about Ballard, please visit
www.ballard.com.
This release contains forward-looking statements concerning
planned product deployments, provision of services, market adoption
and demand for our products and available subsidies. 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.
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ballard-to-work-with-abb-on-design-and-launch-of-fuel-cell-powered-river-push-boat-in-france-300854511.html
SOURCE Ballard Power Systems Inc.