IdaTech Announcements

RNS Number : 2414J IdaTech PLC 01 December 2008  
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For immediate release
01 December 2008

IdaTech plc 
        

35 Unit Commercial Contract Win 

IdaTech plc ('IdaTech' or the 'Company') (AIM IDA.L), a global leader in the development and manufacture of clean and reliable extended run backup power fuel cell products for telecommunication applications, today announces that it has received an order for 35 of its ElectraGenTM XTi ('XTi') systems from a major national US mobile telecommunications company.  

The 35 unit order follows successful field trials of IdaTech's XTi within the customer's network over the last six months. The systems, which will be deployed in Florida, will provide reliable, extended duration backup power in this storm prone state.  The XTi systems will provide backup to the cellular base station network during times of power outage from the electricity grid.  The use of IdaTech's XTi provides the customer with long backup times, enabling the base stations to remain operational for days rather than hours.  This is particularly important given the US Federal Communication Commission's ruling (resulting from the failure of the telecommunication networks following Hurricane Katrina in 2005) that may require telecommunication companies to provide at least eight hours of backup for such sites.

The 35 systems will be shipped before the end of 2008. 

The ElectraGen™ XTi backup power fuel cell systems are fully integrated units incorporating IdaTech's fuel cell system for power generation and its proprietary fuel reforming capability which converts liquid fuel into high-purity hydrogen onsite as needed. These systems overcome the hydrogen barrier by avoiding the need to store or refuel compressed hydrogen gas. This has previously been one of the key factors which has deterred the mass adoption of fuel cells.  Liquid fuel enables almost unlimited backup time, which is practically not possible using compressed hydrogen gas. IdaTech is the only company offering this capability for backup power.

Commenting on the order Hal Koyama, IdaTech's Chief Executive Officer said, 
"We are delighted to announce this 35 unit order for our fully integrated ElectraGenTM XTi fuel cell system with a top telecommunication company in the US.  This is our largest ever order for the liquid fuelled XTi and is in line with IdaTech's strategy, announced on November 19 2008, of growing its core telecommunications customer base."

"This order validates IdaTech's strategy in the use of reformer based integrated extended run fuel cells for the telecommunications market. IdaTech's unique ability to reform a convenient liquid fuel, HydroPlusTM, to produce hydrogen only as needed was key to the customer in not only choosing IdaTech as a supplier but also in its decision to use fuel cells as a solution to its backup power needs. "
For further information please contact:

IdaTech plc
+1 541 383 3390
Harol Koyama, Chief Executive Officer

James Cooke, Chief Financial Officer

Amy Anderson, Marketing and Communications

Buchanan Communications
+44  (0) 20 7466 5000
Charles Ryland / Catherine Breen

Dresdner Kleinwort

Charles Batten / Ben Bailey / Jon Drage
+44 (0) 20 7623 8000

About IdaTech
IdaTech is a global leader in the development and manufacturing of clean and reliable PEM fuel cell solutions for telecommunications, commercial and industrial backup power from 250W to 15 kW.   IdaTech's unique technologies provide solutions for a wide range of applications from portable to off grid power and directly support efforts towards sustainable energy.

IdaTech's portfolio of industry-certified fuel cell solutions are based on the company's fuel processing, fuel cell stack and power module and fuel cell system integration capabilities.  With the support of strategic partners and customers, the company's energy solutions are being deployed domestically and internationally for stationary, portable and other advanced applications.

For more information on IdaTech fuel cell solutions and advanced technologies, please visit www.idatech.com.

This information is provided by RNSThe company news service from the London Stock Exchange  END  MSCFKFKNBBDBFDB