IdaTech Signs Strategic Partnership Agreement With Rittal for Backup Fuel Cell Products

BEND, Ore., March 16 -- IdaTech has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Rittal Corp. at CeBit in Hannover, Germany.

IdaTech's ElectraGen(TM)5 fuel cell system was unveiled at the CeBit electronics show last week by Rittal, a global supplier of enclosure systems for industrial, electronic, telecommunication, and data communication equipment. The system's backup power features are on display at the show -- one of the world's leading events for showcasing new information and telecommunications technologies, and supporting software and services. The IdaTech and Rittal partnership is worldwide and includes integration of the IdaTech fuel cells technologies with Rittal's telecommunications and information technology systems to provide the end customer with highly reliable and seamless backup power solutions. The partnership also includes integrated packaging, sales and marketing of the companies' products. IdaTech's newly developed ElectraGen(TM)5 (five kWe) 48VDC backup power system incorporates highly modular and scalable design features. It targets telecommunications and other critical power applications for replacement of their traditional backup power systems that depend upon lead acid batteries or battery/generator combinations.

"We are very pleased to be working closely with a premier player in the telecommunications market," said Claude Duss, IdaTech president and CEO. "IdaTech is accelerating its position in the critical power market with the launch of the ElectraGen(TM)5 line of backup power systems and this partnership is ideal for rapid deployment of this technology."

"Our partnership provides worldwide reach in distribution, service and production, with facilities and sales in every major region," said Harol Koyama, IdaTech senior vice president, sales and marketing. "The agreement is directly in line with IdaTech's philosophy of forming industry partnerships in order to provide end users the most effective solutions and support."

About IdaTech

IdaTech's fuel cell solutions are based on a flexible modular design, supporting interchangeable components, which enables IdaTech to accelerate product development incorporating proven components and subsystems into customized configurations. Additionally, IdaTech's fuel cell solutions incorporate its patented fuel processing technology and operate on a variety of fuels.

IdaTech's portfolio of fuel cell solutions is based on its proprietary multi-fuel fuel processing technology, its own fuel cell stack and power module, and fuel cell system integration capabilities. With the support of strategic partners, the company's solutions are being deployed on a global scale for stationary and portable applications. IdaTech is a subsidiary of the Boise, Idaho-based energy and technology holding company IDACORP, Inc. .