Astris Energi Heads Toward Market for Small Fuel Cell Systems
14 March 2000
Astris Energi Heads Toward Market for Small Fuel Cell Systems
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario--March 14, 2000--While other companies attempting to develop fuel cell power generators are focusing on the eventual automobile market -- Honda says it will have a fuel cell-powered car by 2003 -- Astris Energi Inc., a pioneer that has devoted 17 years and $12 million to the fuel cell field, is focusing on developing fuel cell systems to power the millions of small vehicles around the world -- golf carts, forklift trucks, other electric vehicles and also portable generators of all kinds.Jiri K. Nor, president of Astris Energi and leader of the technical teams working here and at Astris' subsidiary in the Czech Republic, said last week, "We believe we will be able to demonstrate the first example of our system's commercial capabilities -- a viable fuel cell-powered golf cart -- within the next year."
The Astris program is based on Alkaline Fuel Cell (AFC) technology used to provide electric power and pure water in all of NASA's manned space vehicles. The company believes it has significant advantages both in cost and operating features over the Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) concept being followed by other companies seeking to enter the promising fuel cell market. Many experts in the field agree.
Astris expects to move to larger quarters in nearby Oakville, Ontario soon and is completing an interim financing to support its near-term growth. Management believes, however, that the huge markets it intends to address may lead it to consider a working relationship with a substantial concern.