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Reflects rapidly growing market for methanol-fuelled solutions
VANCOUVER, April 11, 2013 /CNW/ - Ballard Power Systems (NASDAQ: BLDP) (TSX: BLD) today announced shipment of its 500th
methanol-fuelled telecom backup power system, since the Company
expanded its product line in August 2012. Ballard is strongly
positioned as the leader in the fuel cell sector for telecom backup
power systems, offering both ElectraGen™-ME liquid fuelled methanol
systems as well as ElectraGen™-H2 gaseous hydrogen fuelled systems.
Larry Stapleton, Ballard Vice President of Sales said, "This milestone
highlights the growing traction we have been experiencing over the past
two quarters with our telecom customers in key growth markets around
the world."
In regions such as Southeast Asia and South Africa, where Ballard is
actively engaged, electricity grids can be unreliable. As a result,
telecom networks are vulnerable to frequent grid outages, impacting
continuity of service to subscribers. In these situations, lead acid
batteries and diesel generators are not necessarily a practical or
financially attractive means of providing backup power, whereas fuel
cell systems can offer a reliable, economic alternative in addition to
being a clean energy solution.
In these and other geographies, beyond grid unreliability, power
disruptions also occur as the result of natural disasters and extreme
weather conditions. For instance, in the span of a few years, there
have been numerous earthquakes in various parts of Asia, a catastrophic
tsunami in Japan and Hurricane Sandy in the Caribbean and U.S. The
resulting power disruptions from such events cause service outages in
communication networks at critical times. This reality is putting a
higher focus on the need for extended duration backup power solutions
in telecom networks, which in turn is leading to a heightened interest
in fuel cell systems, a proven solution for extended duration backup power.
This heightened interest has translated into growing demand for fuel
cell telecom backup power solutions, both gaseous hydrogen fuelled as
well as liquid methanol fuelled. In 2012 Ballard shipped approximately
400 ElectraGen™ backup power systems, comprised of 240 methanol fuelled
and 160 hydrogen fuelled. Demand growth has continued in 2013 and, with
an additional 260 methanol-fuelled systems in Q1 2013, Ballard has now
shipped the Company's 500th methanol fuelled system, since the
expansion of its product line to include ElectraGen™-ME last August.
Methanol is a readily available fuel that maximizes flexibility for
siting and supporting a fuel cell system, such as the ElectraGen™-ME.
The ElectraGen-ME system has an integrated fuel reformer that converts
HydroPlus™ (a methanol-water liquid fuel mixture) into hydrogen gas to
power the fuel cell system. Ballard's products are being sold through
distribution partners that include Nokia Siemens Networks, Motorola,
Cascadiant, Azure, Inala Technologies and Precision Power and Air.
About Ballard Power Systems
Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD) (NASDAQ: BLDP) provides clean energy
fuel cell products enabling optimized power systems for a range of
applications. Products deliver incomparable performance, durability and
versatility. To learn more about Ballard, please visit www.ballard.com.
This release contains forward-looking statements concerning market
developments for our products, competitive advantage over incumbent
solutions and corresponding value propositions for our customers. 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.
SOURCE: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
