Ricardo and Technology Management Inc. Collaborate on Fuel Cell Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) Project; Receive $1 Million Grant

VAN BUREN TWP., Mich., June 28 -- In an effort to help prevent engine idling and to significantly reduce noise, pollution and fuel costs for commercial and military vehicles, Technology Management Inc. (TMI), a leading Cleveland-based developer of modular solid oxide fuel cell systems, is collaborating with Ricardo -- one of the world's foremost independent automotive engineering and management consulting firms -- to develop an integrated multi-fuel auxiliary power unit (APU).

The APU could be used to power onboard electrical devices as an alternative to idling large diesel engines. These systems could be in mass production in the next five to 10 years.

To support their efforts, TMI and Ricardo have formed a consortium to help improve the manufacture of the fuel cell system, which has been awarded a $1 million grant through the Ohio Third Frontier Fuel Cell Program. Other key members of the consortium include Remy International and PET, Inc. Ohio's Edison Materials Technology Center, Inc. will provide administrative and contract management.

"After many years of evaluating various fuel cells for mobile APU applications, we determined that TMI's solid oxide fuel cell technology has excellent potential for being integrated with the truck platform," said Dr. Marc Wiseman, global product group director, Advanced Propulsion Systems for Ricardo. "Combined with Ricardo's ability and experience in vehicle power systems, we are well-positioned to take the next step -- development of a three-kilowatt APU ready to deploy on a truck operating on standard diesel fuel."

According to Wiseman, TMI has already demonstrated the capability in the laboratory to operate multiple complete systems producing up to 3kW of power. He also said that solid oxide fuel cells could prove to be cost-effective sources of electrical power generation, especially for trucks and military vehicles.

"We have our challenges in terms of robustness and package space, but we are in a strong position since TMI's fuel cell technology has already been demonstrated on distillate fuels with sulphur levels well above the new standards being adopted for 2007," said Wiseman.

"The strategic relationship we have with Ricardo adds the specialized industry knowledge and expertise to engineer our fuel cell systems into a durable package suitable for the rugged environment of the heavy-duty truck market," said Benson P. Lee, president of TMI.

Ohio's oldest independent fuel cell systems developer, Technology Management Inc. (TMI) was organized in 1990 for the purpose of product development and commercialization of a unique, low-cost, proprietary Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) system technology. TMI designs, builds and engineers for field tests completely freestanding kilowatt class SOFC systems.

Early funding by the U.S. Department of Defense for mobile military applications provide the basis for TMI's current systems, which are modular, extremely compact and field maintainable. The systems operate on a variety of common fuels, including natural gas, propane, military JP-8 kerosene and renewable fuels such as ethanol, biodiesel and digester biogas.

With its North American headquarters in Van Buren Twp., Mich., Ricardo -- a world-leading vehicle system and powertrain technology provider for automotive manufacturers, heavy-duty manufacturers and tier one suppliers -- has been providing value through innovation and technology for 100 years.

Ricardo is the premium global deep-content engineering and management consulting partner for automotive, commercial vehicle and related industry sectors. The company provides complete engineering services from strategy through product concept, design release and validation, and all phases of the product lifecycle. Ricardo technical expertise lies in powertrain and driveline, vehicle engineering, hybrid and fuel cell technologies, controls and electronics, niche volume manufacturing and advanced simulation software.

Ricardo is committed to excellence and industry leadership in people, technology and knowledge. A public company based in the U.K., Ricardo plc posted sales of $272 million in fiscal year 2005 and is a part of the FTSE techMark 100 index -- a group of innovative technology companies listed on the London Stock Exchange. For more information, visit http://www.ricardo.com/ .