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Plug Power, LLC and Los Alamos National Laboratory Join Forces in the Advancement of Fuel Cell Technology

6 February 1998

Plug Power, LLC and Los Alamos National Laboratory Join Forces in the Advancement of Fuel Cell Technology

    LATHAM, N.Y., Feb. 6 -- Plug Power, LLC has announced that it
has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Department
of Energy's Los Alamos National Laboratory (Los Alamos, NM).  The MOU supports
Plug Power's effort to move rapidly toward the commercialization of fuel cell
systems for both stationary and automotive applications, and also formalizes
the organizations' goal to execute a Cooperative Research and Development
Agreement (CRADA) in the near future.
    "Fuel cells represent our nation's best pathway toward developing a new
generation of distributed power," said Gary Mittleman, president and chief
executive officer of Plug Power.  "Researchers at Los Alamos have made
significant strides in laying the foundation for polymer electrolyte fuel cell
systems and Plug Power is dedicated to expanding upon the current technology
to make it a commercial reality.  Working together, our focus will be on
improving efficiency, enhancing reliability, and lowering costs to produce
units for distribution to a global marketplace."
    According to David Watkins, a group leader in the Materials Science and
Technology Division of Los Alamos, "There are very few technologies capable,
of meeting our nation's energy needs and also reducing greenhouse emissions.
Fuel cells are a viable and economic method for helping our country meet the
environmental challenges set forth in President Clinton's State of the Union
address."  He added, "In our partnership with Plug Power, we are combining
forces at many different levels of our organizations.  Our level of
cooperation has been expanded, spanning from basic research to technology
transfer and commercialization.  We hope the impact of this joint effort on
the long-term domestic growth of the fuel cell industry will be significant."
    Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is owned by the Department of Energy
and operated by the University of California.  Located in northern New Mexico,
LANL has been a key resource for scientific research and development on issues
of national and international significance.  The development of economically
viable polymer electrolyte fuel cell technology has been a primary goal of
LANL's transportation research program.
    Plug Power, LLC is a joint venture between DTE Energy , parent
company of Detroit Edison, and Mechanical Technology Inc., an early developer
of fuel cell technologies.  Located in Latham, NY, Plug Power was formed to
research, develop and manufacture fuel cells for residential electric power
generation and automotive applications.  In October of 1997, the company
became first in the industry to successfully demonstrate a direct conversion
of gasoline into electricity with its fuel cell.  Plug Power has engaged, and
is currently involved in significant development programs with the New York
State Energy Research and Development Authority.

SOURCE  Plug Power, LLC