DOE Contract for Fuel Cell Development Placed With Delphi Automotive Systems and Battelle

    FLINT, Mich., Aug. 9 Delphi Automotive Systems
and Battelle have been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to
receive a 10-year, $74.6 million cost-share contract from the DOE to assist in
the further development of solid oxide fuel cell technology.  The announcement
was made yesterday by Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham.  According to the
DOE, exact cost sharing and other terms of the agreement will be negotiated
over the next several weeks.
    Delphi, in cooperation with Battelle Columbus Operations, has submitted a
joint proposal to the DOE for a 10-year project to develop cost-effective
solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems.  The team approach combines Delphi's
extensive systems integration engineering capability, manufacturing expertise,
and access to automotive and related markets with Battelle's internationally
recognized experience in solid oxide fuel cell and microsystem technologies,
and knowledge of the energy markets.
    "We're very excited that the Department of Energy selected our proposal
for the further development of fuel cell technology," said Guy C. Hachey,
president, Delphi Energy & Chassis Systems.  "We strongly believe in the
potential of this technology and are focused through this project to solve
issues that will help usher fuel cell power into the mainstream.  This cost-
sharing contract will allow Delphi to continue to build upon our previously
announced work on solid oxide fuel cells."
    Delphi and Battelle received one of four cost-sharing contracts awarded by
the DOE, each focused on differing developmental areas for fuel cells and
totaling $271 million.
    Delphi and Battelle's project is aimed at developing and testing a solid
oxide design that can be mass produced at a low cost for automotive and truck
auxiliary power units, distributed power generation and military markets.  The
project will be based on a 5-kilowatt system that is adapted to operate on a
variety of fuels.
    "We believe that the technology of SOFC is advancing to the point of
permitting the development of products with the performance required for both
automotive and distributed power applications," says Jeff Colwell, deputy
general manager, Battelle Automotive Technology.  "We are pleased that the DOE
program will accelerate the development of commercially viable systems in the
next decade."
    Battelle serves industry and government in the areas of technology
development, laboratory management, and technology commercialization.
Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Battelle has operations at more than 70
locations and clients in 30 countries.  It counts as its successes the
development of the office copier machine (Xerox), pioneering work on the
compact disc, medical technology breakthroughs, and fiber optic advancements
for telecommunications.