Ballard Announces First Generation Ecostar Power Converter and Opening of Alternative Energy Laboratory

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--May 21, 2002-- Ballard Power Systems' Electric Drives and Power Conversion Division announces the introduction of its Ecostar(TM) Power Converter and the opening of its advanced alternative energy laboratory in Dearborn, Michigan.

Ecostar(TM) Power Converter

Ballard's Electric Drives and Power Conversion Division is pleased to introduce the first of its Ecostar(TM) Power Converters (EPC). The EPC introduced today is rated at 110 KVA and is specifically designed to operate with, and convert power from, a microturbine power source. Among the wide range of product features it offers are:

Full electrical grid compatibility Using the generator as a motor to start the microturbine Ability to control microturbine auxiliary systems such as compressors Fully software configurable for complex tasks Ability to store and implement control algorithms developed by microturbine manufacturers The full EPC series offers electrical grid compatibility, has advanced anti-islanding capabilities, can accept a wide range of input power in both DC and AC forms, provides multiple unit parallel operation, and comes with a variety of communication ports and protocols including Ethernet as part of the EPC advanced communications suite. The EPC series is compliant with IEEE 1547 and UL 1741 ratings.

Subsequent units in the EPC series will be targeted at internal combustion engine generators, photovoltaic systems, low and high temperature fuel cells, wind turbines, super capacitors and flywheels.

Alternative Energy Laboratory

Ballard's Electric Drives and Power Conversion Division is pleased to announce the official opening of its Alternative Energy Laboratory located in Dearborn, Michigan. This world class facility has six separate test cells with room for future expansion to 8 cells.

In the Laboratory, power systems up to 750 KVA can currently be tested. Not only can Ecostar(TM) Power Converters be tested, but also complete power generators using power sources such as fuel cells, microturbines, and internal combustion engines can be accommodated in the Laboratory.

The Laboratory allows the rapid development and testing of the complete series of Ecostar(TM) Power Converters that Ballard plans to introduce.

Ballard's Electric Drives and Power Conversion Division is responsible for electric drive products, auxiliary motors, DC/DC converters and power electronics products at Ballard. It holds QS 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 14001 ratings.

Ballard Power Systems is recognized as the world leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing zero-emission proton exchange membrane ("PEM") fuel cells.

Ballard is commercializing fuel cell engines for transportation applications and fuel cell systems for portable and stationary products ranging from 1 kilowatt to 250 kilowatts.

Ballard offers complete fuel cell systems solutions and in developing these products has developed advanced system components that can be applied to both fuel cell and non-fuel cell applications.

Ballard is commercializing electric drives for fuel cell and battery-powered electric vehicles and power conversion products for fuel cells and other distributed generation products, and is a Tier 1 automotive supplier of friction materials for power train components. Ballard's proprietary technology is enabling automobile, bus, electrical equipment, portable power and stationary product manufacturers to develop environmentally clean products for sale.

Ballard is partnering with strong, world-leading companies, including DaimlerChrysler, Ford, EBARA, ALSTOM and FirstEnergy, to commercialize Ballard® fuel cells. Ballard has supplied fuel cells to Honda, Nissan, Volkswagen, Yamaha, Cinergy, Coleman Powermate and Matsushita Electric Works, among others.