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Tokyo–Electric Power Development, known as J-Power, and Chugoku Electric Power have established a new company, Osaki CoolGen Corporation, through joint investment to undertake a large-scale demonstration test of oxygen-blown coal gasification combined cycle technology (oxygen-blown IGCC) and CO2 separation and recovery technology. The company was constitued on July 29.

Osaki CoolGen Corporation will be responsible for construction of the 170MW-class large-scale demonstration test facility for oxygen-blown coal gasification technology. Once constructed, the facility will proceed with testing to verify the reliability, economic efficiency, and operability of an oxygen-blown IGCC system.

In the second phase, the company will proceed with the testing of the application of the latest CO2 separation and recovery technologies. As the demonstration tests move steadily forward, the results will also have implications for integrated coal gasification fuel cell (IGFC) technology which, through the combined use of large-scale fuel cells, has the potential to raise efficiency even higher.

Osaki CoolGen Corporation will undertake an environmental assessment in August 2009, with plans to begin construction in March 2013 and demonstration testing in March 2017.

To date both companies have positioned coal, which offers both stable supply and economic efficiency, as an important energy source, and have worked toward improving its efficiency through high-temperature, high-pressure steam conditions in coal-fired generators.

Amid growing demand for measures to mitigate global warming, and with assistance from the government and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), J-POWER is researching multi-purpose coal gas manufacturing technology (EAGLE) as an innovative coal-fired thermal technology which is suitable for carbon reduction.

Using results obtained through EAGLE, J-POWER and The Chugoku Electric Power Company commenced a joint study of the development of oxygen-blown IGCC technology in 2006, and since deciding to proceed with a large-scale demonstration test at the Osaki Power Stationin Hiroshima, have been moving ahead with preparations.

By Saroj Shrestha Staff Writer

VANCOUVER– Ballard Power Systems (TSX: BLD; NASDAQ: BLDP) today announced an organizational restructuring, resulting in the elimination of 85 positions at its Burnaby, BC and Lowell, MA locations, representing approximately 20% of its workforce.

This restructuring narrows Ballard’s research and product development programs to focus on commercial priorities and also reduces the company’s administrative support and overhead positions.

John Sheridan, President and CEO said that “while this was a difficult decision given the people implications, this move to a leaner, lower cost organizational structure, is a key step in Ballard’s drive to profitability.”

A third quarter charge of approximately $4 million will be recorded for related severance and restructuring costs, which is expected to be offset by savings in 2009. On a full year basis, these organizational changes will result in cost savings of approximately $10 million annually.

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.