Business
New Development Programme
New Development Programme.
About this update from Itm Power Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n ITM Power PLC\n05 July 2006\n\n\nStrictly Embargoed until: 0700 hrs, 5 July 2006\n\n\n\n ITM Power Plc\n\n ('ITM' or 'the Company')\n\n Hydrogen Combustion Development Programme\n\n\nITM Power Plc is pleased to announce today that it has initiated a joint\ndevelopment programme with The University of Hertfordshire ('the University') to\ndevelop an electrolyser refuelling system for use in hydrogen internal\ncombustion engine powered cars. Hydrogen can be burnt in conventional internal\ncombustion engines and after conversion, enables the vehicle to produce\nvirtually zero emissions.\n\nThe development programme has been initiated following ITM's successful cost \nover life electrolyser testing. ITM's electrolyser, using water and low tariff \nelectricity, could address the cost issues of hydrogen fuel and the requirement\nto build a hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.\n\n\nThe aim of the joint development programme is to improve internal combustion\nengine emissions; with the potential to bring very significant advances in the\nglobal quest to move to zero carbon fuels.\n\n\nThe programme includes the following objectives:\n\n\n • To develop a safe, low-cost modification package for a town car to run\n on hydrogen and to provide the ability to refuel the vehicle at home or at\n work, independently of the current fuel delivery infrastructure.\n\n\n • To investigate the conversion of existing petrol fuelled electrical\n generating sets to run on hydrogen produced from zero carbon sources, such\n as solar and wind.\n\n\n • To investigate how the addition of hydrogen to the diesel combustion\n process can either reduce fuel consumption or pollutants and to provide the\n necessary on-board hydrogen generator system for diesel engines.\n\nITM will own all intellectual property (IP rights) including any new discoveries \nmade during the development carried out under this programme.\n\nJim Heathcote, CEO, ITM Power Plc, said: 'We believe this development programme\n will help to demonstrate the importance of electrolysers for use in the \nautomotive industry. The University is renowned for its close automotive \nindustry relationships, excellent test facilities and high calibre engineers. \nThese capabilities are crucial to the success of this development programme.'\n\nDerek Eade, Director of Sustainable Energy Technologies, H...