Addition of Methanol-Fuelled Product Line Paying Dividends

VANCOUVER, CANADA – Ballard is seeing positive indicators of momentum in the fuel cell backup power market as new and repeat orders from telecom network operators grow. In December 2012 and to date in January 2013 orders for more than 400 ElectraGen™ fuel cell systems have been received from distribution partners that deliver systems for deployment in African and Asian telecom networks.

These orders represent growing traction for Ballard's ElectraGen™ family of fuel cell backup power systems, both direct hydrogen- and methanol-fuelled, driven by the recognition of inherent value offered at an attractive lifecycle cost.

Ballard's ElectraGen™-ME methanol-fuelled systems are particularly well suited for extended duration runtime backup power requirements. These systems are designed for high reliability, long life as well as minimal ongoing maintenance and represent a majority of the systems ordered since Ballard acquired key assets (including the methanol-fuelled product) from IdaTech in a deal that closed last August.

ElectraGen™-ME systems include a fuel reformer that converts HydroPlus™ fuel (a methanol-water liquid fuel mixture) into hydrogen gas to power the fuel cell system.

During the recent difficult circumstances presented by Hurricane Sandy, 17 Ballard ElectraGen™-ME methanol fuel cell systems were put to the test in extreme conditions. These systems performed exactly as designed, providing critical electricity to the Bahamas mobile telephone network when the storm downed power lines and cut off grid power. In the 3 days that Hurricane Sandy passed over the Bahamas, each of the 5 kilowatt systems operated flawlessly to maintain consistent power.

To date, more than 2,000 Ballard backup power systems have been shipped for deployment in telecom networks around the globe.


About Ballard Power Systems
Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD) (NASDAQ: BLDP) provides clean energy fuel cell products enabling optimized power systems for a range of applications. Products deliver incomparable performance, durability and versatility.