Business
Integrated CHP Demonstration
Integrated CHP Demonstration.
About this update from Ceres Power Holdings Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n Ceres Power Holdings plc\n11 September 2007\n\n\n\n11 September 2007\n\nCeres Power Holdings plc\n('Ceres', 'Ceres Power' or the 'Company')\n\nFuel Cell CHP Demonstration and Facilities Showcase\n\nCeres Power, the AIM-quoted fuel cell group, today demonstrates an integrated, \nwall-mountable combined heat and power unit ('CHP Unit'). The successful \ndesign, construction and testing of this natural gas-fed unit represents an \nimportant milestone in the Company's residential CHP programme with British Gas \nand highlights the commercial potential of the product. The compact and \nwall-mountable design will enable access to both the boiler replacement and \nnew build residential mass markets in the UK and overseas.\n\nAs part of an ongoing testing programme, the integrated wall-mountable CHP Unit \nhas already demonstrated the capability of generating electricity and all of the \ncentral heating and hot water requirements of a typical home, avoiding the need \nfor a separate boiler. The compact CHP Unit uses the same natural gas, water \nand electricity connections as a boiler, and is thus easy to install.\n\nKey balance of plant components within the CHP programme have been developed in \npartnership with well-established volume manufacturers in Europe and the USA \nfrom industries including automotive and white goods. The operating temperature \n(500-600degreesC) of the unique Ceres Power fuel cell technology has enabled the \nuse of widely available and cost-effective raw materials, components and \nmanufacturing equipment.\n\nFacilities - The fit-out of the recently secured Product Facility has been \ncompleted, with the focus shifting to validating performance of the core \nmanufacturing processes through statistical process trials. All of the key \nvolume production equipment has now been installed on-site and includes machines \nfor: steel substrate perforation, ceramic layer deposition, fuel cell drying and \nfiring, stack layer welding, and associated quality control. Initial process \ntrials have been conducted, with further work helping to finalise the planned \ninvestment in scaling-up to the Company's first volume production facility \n('Mother Plant').\n\nIn parallel, detailed planning for the Mother Plant is also proceeding to plan \nwith final specification expected by end 2007. The initial footprint of the \n...