PPC brings in former Elster Director to drive technology research and development

Mannheim, 6, June, 2011 +++ Power Plus Communications AG (PPC), the leading provider of Broadband Powerline Communication (BPL) systems for smart grids, has appointed Dr Michael Arzberger as Vice President with responsibility for technology development.

Dr Arzberger joins PPC at a time when many European nations are wrestling with the challenge of specifying smart grid infrastructure. Previously Vice President Solution Management for Elster Integrated Solutions (part of Elster Group), Dr Arzberger brings many years of smart metering and grid experience to PPC, together with exceptional product development skills.

"We are delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Arzberger," said Eugen Mayer, Chief Operating Officer at PPC. "With a wealth of experience, industry knowledge and an outstanding track record in technology development, he is perfectly positioned to further strengthen and expand PPC's product portfolio. As a growing number of countries explore the many smart grid options, we believe that Dr Arzberger will keep Power Plus Communications at the forefront of smart grid innovation."

Dr Arzberger is the latest in a number of significant senior hires for PPC. He joins Dr Manfred Krüper, new supervisory board member and former E.ON executive, and Dr Uwe Braun, new Senior Vice President of Sales, as the company continues to expand its smart grid offerings and international presence.

Dr Arzberger has more than a decade of technology research and development experience in the field of power line carrier communications. He holds a PhD in electrical engineering, and studied at the University of Karlsruhe, where he subsequently took up a scientific post at the Institute for Information Technology.

Power Plus Communications AG (PPC)

Based in Mannheim, Germany, Power Plus Communications AG is Europe's leading provider of Broadband Powerline Communications (BPL) technology for smart grids. PPC has been chosen to participate in the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology's (BMWi) beacon project ‘E-Energy', and has received several industry awards, including ‘Guardian Global Cleantech 100', ‘Cleantech Investors Smart Grid 50', and ‘GP Bullhound Cleantech Connect'. PPC has also received the ‘Potenzial Innovation' prize from the German Chambers of Industry and Commerce, which recognises PPC as one of the most innovative companies in Germany. PPC's shareholders include the managing directors, employees and Climate Change Capital Private Equity, the PE investment fund of London-based Climate Change Capital Group (CCC), who has invested more than US$1.6 billion in the clean tech industry.

Thomas Wolski
Am Exerzierplatz 2
68167 Mannheim
Deutschland
Tel: +49 (0)621 - 40165 - 127
Fax: +49 (0)621 - 40165 - 111
E-Mail: t.wolski@ppc-ag.de
Internet: www.ppc-ag.de

Kate Garratt
33 Cavendish Square
London
UK, W1G 0PW
Tel: +44 (0)207-182-4081
Email: ppc@aspectuspr.com
Internet: www.aspectuspr.com