FuelCellsWorks

Global event draws industry, science and government to Canada’s hydrogen and fuel cell industry hub

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA — Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2009, Canada’s premier international hydrogen and fuel cell event, will showcase Canada’s leadership in commercialization of hydrogen and fuel cell technology.

“Today, customers and end-users around the world are validating the benefits of hydrogen and fuel cells,” said John Tak, Chair, Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2009. “There is increasing momentum behind the commercial adoption of this technology, propelling the growth of an industry that provides high-value green jobs and a legacy of innovation.”

Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies deliver significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and ensure secure and reliable energy. Made-in-B.C. applications of these technologies in market today include forklifts, stationary power generation, fuelling, back-up power and portable products.

More than 1,000 international delegates are expected to attend Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2009, taking place June 1-3 at the new green-designed Vancouver Convention Centre. The conference will feature international experts profiling the latest developments in research, business and government policy, with the opening keynote session featuring addresses from the governments of British Columbia.

A convoy of hydrogen-powered electric vehicles, on a cross-border road rally originating from San Diego, California will be arriving in Vancouver on June 3, and celebrated at the conference.

Conference media opportunities include:

- Monday, June 1, 9:00 am – opening keynote session: addresses by senior representatives from the Province of B.C.

- Wednesday, June 3, 10:30 am – event: hydrogen fuel cell vehicle road rally arrival, hydrogen-powered vehicle demonstration and test drive.

“Our global environmental challenges, such as climate change, do not stop at the border,” said Tak. “I am pleased that scientists, engineers, government representatives and businesspeople from more than 35 countries are coming to Vancouver, an active hub for hydrogen and fuel cell development, to help create solutions to these challenges.”

Hydrogen + Fuel Cells 2009 is jointly organized by the Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association and the Province of British Columbia. Sponsors include Air Liquide, The Linde Group, German Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Network, Air Products, Ballard, Enbridge, AECL, BC Hydro, Canadian Nuclear Association, Daimler, GM, Hydrogenics, IMW, Plug Power, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Iwatani, National Research Council Canada, Natural Resources Canada and BC Transit.

Media materials, including print-quality images and b-roll, are available at www.hfc2009.com.

VANCOUVER– Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD; NASDAQ: BLDP) announced intentions to discontinue operations of EBARA Ballard Corporation. EBARA Ballard Corporation is a joint venture with EBARA Corporation and is focused on the development, manufacture, sale, and servicing of stationary power systems for the residential cogeneration market in Japan.

“As we’ve said in the past, we see residential cogeneration on a longer timeline to commercialization,” said John Sheridan, President and CEO, “This, combined with an increasing investment requirement for continued system development work, has impacted the business case for this program. We believe that this decision is in the best interest of both joint venture parties, along with our shareholders.”

Given the low growth projected for this market in 2009, Ballard does not anticipate a material impact from this decision on its current year financial outlook.

Although Ballard is dissolving the joint venture company for systems development for the Japanese residential cogeneration market, the company believes that opportunities continue to exist in Japan, as well as other international markets, for sales of residential cogeneration fuel cell stack products. Ballard will continue to sell the company’s FCgen(TM)-1030v3 fuel cell product for applications such as residential cogeneration, including supply of this product to Baxi Innotech GmbH for the German Callux Project.

Ballard and EBARA Corporation will work together over the next 90 days to finalize details of the dissolution of the joint venture. EBARA Corporation will continue to service the EBARA Ballard Corporation fuel cell systems that are already in the field.

About Ballard Power Systems

Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD; NASDAQ: BLDP) is recognized as a world leader in the design, development, manufacture and sale of clean energy fuel cell products. Ballard’s mission is to accelerate fuel cell product adoption. To learn more about what Ballard is doing with Power to Change the World(R), visit www.ballard.com.

http://www.mnn.com/transportation/cars/blogs/hydrogen-hopes-can-they-restore-funding-for-fuel-cells

http://cars.about.com/b/2009/05/22/first-impressions-volkswagens-hydrogen-fuel-cell-vehicle.htm

ONONDAGA COUNTY, N.Y. — Cicero-North Syracuse High School was recognized for building a winning hydrogen fuel cell car.

Assemblyman Al Stirpe presented the technology department at C-NS with a $10,000 check for the school’s Hydrogen Fuel Cell Program Friday morning. The school’s car, called Pure Speed, was able to get up to more than 1,400 miles per gallon. That won the team second place in the Shell Eco-marathon Americas competition

While at C-NS, Stripe also named it May’s school of the month. That’s a new award for schools that demonstrate academic, athletic and extracurricular excellence.

http://news10now.com/content/all_news/central_new_york/472616/c-ns-recognized-for-hydrogen-car/Default.aspx