Embargoed Release: 07:00hrs Monday 10th November 2008
Zenergy Power plc
(`Zenergy' or the `Group')
Key FCL Milestone:
Successful Testing and Launch of Commercial Grid Stability Device
Zenergy Power plc (AIM:ZEN.L), the specialist manufacturer and developer of
commercial products utilising high-temperature superconductive (`HTS')
materials, is pleased to announce that it has successfully completed testing of
the Group's first commercial HTS Fault Current Limiter ('FCL') in order to
qualify it for installation into commercial electricity power grids. The FCL
unit in question is based upon a prior development model that was designed,
built and tested by the Group last year and has been constructed for
installation into the commercial electricity grid of Southern California Edison
('SCE'). The Group will now deliver the completed FCL unit to SCE in December
of this year, after which it will be installed into the Avanti distribution
circuit of the Californian power grid following SCE's own pre-installation
tests. Installation of the unit into the grid is expected to occur in the first
quarter of next year.
The HTS FCL is a groundbreaking device developed by Zenergy specifically for
utility customers who can deploy the unit into various locations across their
electricity networks to enhance the overall stability and efficiency of their
national operations. Developed over a number of years and in close conjunction
with a number of utility companies, the Group's unique and patented 'saturated
core' FCL design is capable of delivering to utility companies a `real-world'
solution to a number of their most pressing needs, which cannot be addressed
using alternative available solutions. More specifically, the HTS FCL is of
particular interest to utility companies as it is capable of instantaneously
and automatically responding to - and absorbing - multiple surges in electrical
power; preventing blackouts and collateral damage whilst maintaining a
continuous, uninterrupted and stable supply of electrical power to downstream
users. The ability of the Group's FCL to operate in this manner means that it
can play a key role in not only maintaining a reliable supply of power to end
users but also in assisting utility companies in their efforts to adhere to
newly introduced regulatory requirements.
Following the successful testing of this commercial unit, the Group is pleased
to announce the official launch of the second of its fully commercial devices
based on its core HTS intellectual property. Accordingly, the FCL is now being
made available to further potential utility customers from whom the Group has
already received clear expressions of interest. The global market for FCLs is
expected to be worth up to US$5bn per annum.
Michael Fitzgerald, Chairman, commented:
`The single greatest challenge for any technology group is to bring to market
innovative, practical and competitive commercial products that are capable of
directly addressing identified customer needs. The launch of our commercial HTS
FCL marks the second time we have achieved this in just 18 months and we are
now positioned to address two separate multibillion dollar global markets.
Much of this achievement is a result of our continual focus on the commercial
application of our innovations and our collaborative approach to product
development and manufacture. In adopting this collaborative approach we have
developed, through a highly cost effective and focussed process, ground
breaking products that address the most pressing energy related needs of global
industrial businesses whose activities span the processes associated with the
production, distribution and large-scale use of electrical energy. I would like
to congratulate everyone involved in the development of the HTS FCL and look
forward to reporting further on our continued progress towards becoming a
large-scale producer of highly energy efficient industrial devices.'
Delivery of the tested FCL unit to SCE is scheduled for December of this year
and accordingly the Board remains highly confident in its anticipation that the
Group will become the first company in the world to install such a device into
the United States commercial electricity grid. The Directors are not aware of
any other FCL products capable of automatically responding to multiple power
surges and accordingly consider the commercial launch of the HTS FCL to be of
particular economic value to the Group. In this regard, the Directors note the
significant support that the overall FCL market received last year as a result
of the United States Department of Energy's commitment to invest over $50
million to accelerate the adoption of HTS based devices into the U.S.
electricity power grid. The decision by the Department of Energy to actively
promote the use of HTS devices in the United States is indicative of the
central role which they believe HTS devices can play in support of their
overall strategy to modernise the aging, overstretched and inefficient U.S.
electricity power grid. Further to the commitment from the Department of
Energy, the United States Federal Government has also stated its support for
the central role that HTS materials and devices can play in securing what it
describes as `a diverse and stable supply of reliable, affordable and
environmentally responsible energy' for all U.S. citizens.
-Ends-
Further information
Dr. Jens Müller Zenergy Power Plc + 49 2226 9060 200
Vikki Krause Hansard Group + 44 207 245 1100
Andrew Godber Panmure Gordon & Co + 44 207 459 5742
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 energy intensive industrial processes, power distribution and
renewable power generation. Zenergy achieved the world's first sale of an
industrial scale HTS induction heater which is now in operation.
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.
Superconductors enable:
(a) Induction Heaters to be twice as efficient for the metals industry
(b) Fault Current Limiters to protect power grids from blackouts
(c) Direct-drive wind generators to be significantly reduced in size and weight
allowing the operation of wind generators in excess of 8 MW
(d) Existing hydro-power sites to upgrade to energy efficient Hydro-generators
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