Fuel Cell Breakthrough to be Demonstrated by Southern States Power Co. in Mini-Van
15 April 1999
Fuel Cell Breakthrough to be Demonstrated by Southern States Power Co. in Mini-Van
Carbon X Fuel Cell Technology Doubles Power to Size Ratio
SHREVEPORT, La., April 15 -- BAT International
(OTC Bulletin Board: BAAT) today issued the following release:
Southern States Power Company (OTC Bulletin Board: SSPC), announced today
that its joint venture company, Global Fuel Cell Corporation and its R&D
partner, Anuvu, Incorporated will be able to make 300+ mile range, zero
emission cars a reality very soon. Manufacturing of fuel cells is expected
next year.
To demonstrate progress to date, Global Fuel Cell Corporation will conduct
a public demonstration at the beginning of May of an advanced fuel-cell
powered minivan. The demonstration will provide the first public viewing of
Anuvu's new high efficiency, high-availability Carbon-X fuel cell and will be
followed by several medium and long-distance and urban driving demonstrations
in the following months.
"According to new Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) regulations, at least 4% of
the new cars -- approximately 65,000 vehicles -- in California, New York and
Massachusetts will be electric or fuel-cell powered in 2003. Another 6% or
95,000 vehicles must either be zero emission vehicles or earn ZEV credits from
putting a much greater number of super ULEV, hybrid electric or other vehicles
on the road. Alternative fuel fleet requirements now affect 90% of new
utility vehicle purchases, and 25-75% of local, state and federal government
purchases. This is a major opportunity for Southern States Power Company and
its joint venture, Global Fuel Cell Corporation," says Joe LaStella, president
of BAT International (OTC Bulletin Board: BAAT) which is the largest
shareholder in SSPC.
Until recently, many experts have predicted that fuel-cell technology
would be too complex, bulky, heavy and costly to be used in commercial
passenger vehicle applications in the near future. Technology advancements
have progressed much faster than was once predicted. Recent highly publicized
announcements have been made by major auto companies, including a statement by
Daimler-Chrysler that it plans to produce 100,000 fuel-cell-
powered cars by 2005. According to a CNN report last month,
Daimler-Chrysler unveiled an experimental fuel-cell powered car that would
seat five passengers. Other auto manufacturers working on fuel-cell models
include Ford Motor Company , General Motors and Honda
Motor Co.
For this first demonstration, Global Fuel Cell Corporation will be using a
new compact proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell that is specifically
designed for mobile applications. Anuvu Incorporated's Carbon-X technology
enables the size of the fuel cell to be cut in half while delivering sustained
power output and much higher volumetric efficiency. By using very thin
bipolar plates (less than .1 inch thick) made with Carbon-X that facilitate
temperature and humidity management in each plate, the Carbon-X fuel cell is
able to achieve much better performance, longer duty life and lower production
and operating costs. The plates are very strong with excellent chemical
compatibility to ensure long fuel cell life and are less than one half the
size of competing fuel cells. This allows Carbon-X fuel cells to go in small
spaces such as those in passenger vehicles.
"Global Fuel Cell's latest technological advancements represent a huge
opportunity for us. According to recent market estimates, the fuel cell
market could be as huge as several billion dollars annually within 10 years
(source: Alliail Business Intelligence)," explains LaStella.
Global Fuel Cell Corporation (GFC) plans to bring 'Carbon-X' fuel cells
into production next year. GFC will be one of the first companies to produce
viable fuel cells for commercial vehicles and stationary fuel cell
applications. Anuvu's fuel-cell technology reduces lead time and tooling
costs to manufacture viable fuel-cells because they have focused R&D efforts
on designing highly efficient and very compact fuel cells that can easily be
mass-produced. As a result, GFC will be able to introduce commercial fuel
cells into the commercial market years ahead of competitors' fuel cells at a
much lower cost.
Global Fuel Cell Corporation will then be in a position to sell
competitively priced fuel cells to auto companies when Zero Emission Vehicle
mandates go into effect in 2003 (60 -- 140,000 vehicles). By 2010 industry
auto executive surveys suggest that between 5-10% of the total global vehicle
market will be electric or hybrid electric vehicles (source: Automotive
Industries).
In addition to transportation, fuel cells could revolutionize the way
homeowners get their power, backers say. In the future, instead of buying
both electricity and gas, you may instead buy only gas and produce electricity
from a small on-site generator that creates no pollution and requires no power
lines. The benefits include electricity at half the cost and no power outages
from downed power lines.
A fuel cell is a mechanism that can convert chemical fuels into
electricity. Unlike a battery, whose capacity is eventually used up and must
be electrically recharged, fuel cells can produce electricity as long as fuel
is supplied. The fuel cell has two electrodes separated by an electrolyte.
One of the electrodes -- called an anode -- is supplied with hydrogen. The
second electrode -- the cathode -- is supplied by oxygen from air. The
electrolyte acts as a conductor of ions before they react at the anode,
producing a flow of direct-current electricity. The reaction produces water
and heat as byproducts with no air pollution (source: CNN).
Southern States Power Company is a diverse, publicly traded corporation.
It is currently composed of four divisions including Advanced Fuel Cell
Technology, Power Generation and Distribution, Alternative Clean Fuels, and
Transportation Systems and Vehicles. Southern States Power Company
(http://www.sspowerco.com) recently formed a joint venture with Anuvu, Incorporated
that is preparing to manufacture compact fuel cells for mobile and stationary
applications (http://www.anuvu.com). For more information on SSPC's joint venture
with Anuvu, as well as the fuel-cell technology, see the press release of
February 2, 1999. BAT International -- parent company of Southern States
Power Company -- is organized as a holding company with a major ownership
position in a set of subsidiary and joint venture companies. For additional
information, visit BAT's Web site at http://www.baat.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that should not be
used to make an investment decision. Please refer to Southern States Power
Co. web site (http://www.sspowerco.com) and other sources for more detailed company
information or call Michael Sealey (318) 221-5703.