Proton Energy Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of Distributed Energy Systems Corp. (Nasdaq: DESC), announced they have been awarded $499,000 for the second phase of a project to develop a regenerative solar/Proton Exchange Membrane, or PEM, fuel cell demonstration system for the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division at China Lake, California.
The Phase II contract builds on the success of the 1 kilowatt Phase I project and aims to upgrade the UNIGEN(R) Regenerative Fuel Cell System, or URFC, to improve system efficiency and tolerance to extreme environments. The goal of the project is to demonstrate grid independent constant power output using inherently intermittent renewable energy for stable, remote operation.
The system development and operational enhancements prepare the URFC system for a one year, 24/7 test period where the system will use solar energy to provide 12 kilowatt hours per day of power for hydrogen generation and electrical energy output. The system is sized to provide a minimum of 4,320 kWh over the 12-month period during which data will be collected for modeling and future system upgrades. The system does not require any battery storage for operation or start-up.
The URFC demonstration unit, which was tested at the site for six months prior, consists of Proton's HOGEN(R) hydrogen generator, hydrogen storage tanks, a PEM fuel cell, and a Navy supplied solar photovoltaic array. The HOGEN hydrogen generator, a key component in this project, incorporates Proton's patent-pending renewable interface, which is capable of producing hydrogen from water using electricity directly generated by the solar array.
According to Proton Energy Systems' President Walter "Chip" Schroeder, "This is a breakthrough program for Proton because it illustrates our vision of creating a sustainable energy economy by transforming solar power into hydrogen fuel. In this project, we use the fuel to regenerate power on demand. In other projects underway at Proton, we use the hydrogen as a transportation fuel."
About Proton Energy Systems, Inc.
Proton Energy Systems, Inc. designs, develops, and manufactures Proton Exchange Membrane, or PEM, electrochemical products that it employs in hydrogen generating devices and in regenerative fuel cell systems that function as power generating and energy storage devices. Proton's HOGEN(R) hydrogen generators produce hydrogen from electricity and water in a clean and efficient process using its proprietary PEM technology.
About Distributed Energy Systems Corp.
Distributed Energy Systems Corp. (Nasdaq: DESC) creates and delivers products and solutions to the emerging decentralized energy marketplace, giving users greater control over their energy cost, quality and reliability. As the parent company of Proton Energy Systems and Northern Power Systems (www.northernpower.com), Distributed Energy Systems delivers a combination of practical, ready-today energy solutions and the solid business platforms for capitalizing on the changing energy landscape.
www.distributed-energy.com
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