Installation of World's First HTS Induction Heater
Embargoed Release: 07:00hrs Monday 21st July 2008
Zenergy Power plc
(`Zenergy' or the `Group')
Successful Operation of World's First Commercial
Full Scale HTS Induction Heater
Zenergy Power plc (AIM:ZEN.L), the specialist manufacturer and developer of
commercial applications for high-temperature superconductive (`HTS') materials,
is pleased to announce that it has completed the successful installation and
operation of the world's first commercial full scale HTS induction heater for
Weseralu GmbH & Co. KG (`Weseralu') at its manufacturing facility in Minden,
Germany.
The HTS induction heater is based on Zenergy's proprietary technology and is
specifically designed for heating large aluminium billets that can be
manipulated when softened and shaped for innumerable products in the
automotive, aerospace and machine building industries. Weseralu, which
currently produces 14,000 tonnes of extruded aluminium per annum, using two
conventional induction heaters, ordered the unit in late September 2007, a mere
four months after the completion of its development and industrial testing, as
previously announced on 22 May 2007.
The newly installed HTS induction heater is now fully operational at Weseralu
and substantiates manifest and compelling economic advantages over competitor
technologies. Three characteristics relating to energy and efficiency,
operational simplicity, and carbon emissions are particularly noteworthy.
First, conventional induction heater technologies require over 1MW of power to
operate at full capacity, while Zenergy's HTS induction heater consumes a mere
450 kW of power when functioning at full volume. This alone generates a
substantial 55 per cent energy saving. Secondly, the Zenergy HTS induction
heater requires less maintenance than traditional induction heaters as it does
not employ copper coils that must be completely replaced several times during
the lifetime of a unit. Finally, the operation of a Zenergy HTS induction
heater diminishes CO2 emissions by 300 tonnes each year - the equivalent of the
emissions of 150 households.
The adaptable manufacturing processes employed in Zenergy's HTS induction
heater at an operational level also present other considerable direct cost
saving benefits over conventional induction heater technologies. In particular,
dramatically reduced heating times and the ability of the unit to heat entire
billets at a uniform temperature evince both increased output and lower
rejection levels.
Zenergy has additionally received a second order for an HTS induction heater
for copper processing and the majority of interested customers have commenced
testing of their materials in the unit and are observing the deployment of the
unit in an industrial environment prior to placing firm orders for units. With
the first unit now on site, and with Weseralu's permission, Zenergy can arrange
for additional prospective customers to see the Group's HTS induction heater
operating at a commercial level. Zenergy is confident it is convincing metals
producers to progressively implement its highly innovative HTS technology,
which will enhance their production procedures both economically and
ecologically.
Mr. Hagemann, owner and managing director of Weseralu, commented:
"Zenergy's HTS technology represents a quantum leap for our industry and I am
delighted to be the first in the world to utilise this technology. I am
confident that it will prove advantageous on an economic and ecologic basis in
comparison to any existing billet heating equipment. Additionally, the HTS
induction heater offers Weseralu unprecedented temperature homogeneity in our
aluminium billets during the heating process in contrast to conventional
technology, which will afford the company even more meaningful financial
benefits through the increased productivity it generates from the considerable
electricity savings we expect to enjoy from the unit."
Dr. Jens Müller, chief executive officer of Zenergy, commented:
"The successful continuous operation of the world's first full scale commercial
HTS induction heater for Weseralu represents a landmark achievement for Zenergy
that we are convinced will enhance Weseralu's reputation of delivering
outstanding and high quality products to its customers. We are delighted by the
implicit industrial acceptance that our technology has obtained, which has thus
far been amply demonstrated by the two initial orders for our HTS induction
heater, and remain determined to convert the tremendous interest we have
received into firm sales of our HTS induction heater in the non-ferrous metals
industry."
-Ends-
Further information:
Dr. Jens Müller Zenergy Power Plc + 49 22 26 90 60 200
Vikki Krause Hansard Group + 44 207 245 1100
Tom Hulme Landsbanki Securities + 44 207 426 9000
(UK) Limited
About Zenergy Power plc
Zenergy Power plc is a global specialist manufacturer and developer of
commercial applications for superconductive materials. Comprising three
operating subsidiaries located in Germany, USA and Australia, Zenergy is highly
focussed on the commercialisation of a number of energy efficient applications
to be adopted in the metals industry, renewable energy power generation, energy
distribution and large scale, energy intensive industrial processes and has
achieved the world's first commercial sales of an industrial scale HTS
devices..
About superconductivity
Superconductive materials are capable of conducting electricity without any
resistance and were first discovered in 1911 in what was to prove to be one of
the most significant scientific breakthroughs of the 20th century.
The global HTS market is substantial and growing, with a number of market
studies projecting multi-billion dollar markets for the application of HTS
materials and products. The proliferation of the use of superconductor
materials is largely being driven by the following key factors:
(a) HTS materials are highly complementary to energy efficient technologies as
a substitute for copper
(b) HTS wires have power densities of over 100x that of copper
(c) Current developments are leading to substantially reduced costs in the
production of HTS wires and are targeting to be cheaper than copper over the
next few years.
(d) HTS applications deliver exceptional energy efficiencies and thus reduced
power consumption and running costs
(e) HTS technology is set to play a significant role in reducing CO2 emissions
in line with international targets
(f) HTS applications are capable of delivering vastly increased levels of power
with increased reliability and reduced material usage
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