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GlobeTel Announces Cooperative Research Effort on Fuel Cells with Proton Energy Systems
GlobeTel Communications Corp. (AMEX:GTE) today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Sanswire Networks, LLC has signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRDA) with Proton Energy Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of Distributed Energy Systems Corp. (Nasdaq:DESC). Pursuant to the agreement, Proton will provide assistance in developing a regenerative fuel cell energy storage system for Sanswire's high altitude Remotely Operated Airship (ROA), or Stratellite.
Under the agreement, Proton will provide prototype regenerative fuel cell (RFC) equipment and specialized technical support to Sanswire for the company's development and flight-testing of the Stratellite via a series of task agreements. Sanswire will provide the airship platform for testing and engineering inputs to tailor the RFC solution.
"We are very excited to work together with Proton Energy Systems. The RFC provides a key capability to enable the Stratellite to stay on station for long periods of time," said Timothy Huff, Chief Executive Officer of GlobeTel. "To power the airship overnight in windy conditions requires an energy dense storage solution, and the RFC has the potential to fill that requirement." Mr. Huff further commented that: "Pioneering advanced fuel cell technology will put us in an advanced position among others, in fact, we will be the first to employ this technology to the rigid airship. We will continue to partner with technology leaders to provide a low cost communication platform to the world."
Robert Friedland, senior vice president of Proton's hydrogen technology group added, "By working with GlobeTel, we see opportunities to further advance the state of the art for proton exchange membrane regenerative fuel cells by applying it to these innovative applications. We see great promise for this technology in future systems for Stratellite which require our systems to make hydrogen during the day from electricity generated from the sun and then regenerate it into electricity at night."
A Stratellite is similar to a satellite, but is stationed in the stratosphere rather than in orbit. At an altitude of 10 to 13 miles above the Earth, each Stratellite will have clear line-of-sight communications capability to an entire major metropolitan area as well as being able to provide coverage across major rural areas. Several Stratellites linked together could cover many hundreds of thousands of square miles. The Stratellite will allow subscribers to easily communicate in "both directions" using readily available wireless devices. In addition to voice and data, proposed telecommunications uses include cellular, 3G/4G mobile, MMDS, paging, fixed wireless telephony, HDTV, real-time surveillance and others.
About GlobeTel Communications Corporation:
GlobeTel Communications Corporation is a diversified Telecommunications and Financial Services Company. GlobeTel Communications Corporation operates business units in Stored Value debit cards, as a certified MasterCard processor, the sale of Carrier grade VOIP of Long Distance to major Long Distance re-sellers, VOIP Technology and development, and high altitude airship research and development. These self-contained business units were developed to operate independently of each other. The symbiotic relationship, however, provides value to each of the other business units. This strategy offers GlobeTel financial diversity and risk mitigation while striving toward its operating objectives.
Distributed Energy Systems President Highlights Progress, Opportunities of New Energy Frontiers at Annual Shareholders' Meeting
WALLINGFORD, Conn., June 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- At its annual meeting held today in nearby Middletown, Walter "Chip" Schroeder, president of Distributed Energy Systems Corp. (NASDAQ:DESC), told shareholders that he expects continued growth and progress toward the company becoming one of the first to make money in serving the new energy marketplace.
Distributed Energy, the parent company of Northern Power Systems and Proton Energy Systems, generated combined revenues of $22 million in 2004 -- its first year reporting consolidated results following the December 2003 merger of the two alternative energy-oriented businesses.
In brief state-of-the-company remarks, Mr. Schroeder said: "When we brought together Northern Power and Proton, we did so because of their unique but related capabilities. Northern Power was already a successful commercial engineering services provider for growing renewable and high quality distributed power markets, while Proton develops, manufactures and sells proprietary commercial hydrogen products for existing industrial infrastructure and the emerging hydrogen economy. We believed we could grow total revenues much faster as a result of this new business mix." He told shareholders: "We have made solid progress toward this goal."
The fourth quarter of 2004 was the first in which the company achieved positive gross margins, and this performance was repeated in the first quarter of 2005, Mr. Schroeder said. He further noted the company expects revenues to increase by about 35% over 2004 numbers, "reaching and possibly even exceeding the forecasted $30 million."
"We see strong confirmation that the fundamental driver of our business -- the increasing demand by end users to gain more control over critical energy resources -- is gaining momentum," Mr. Schroeder explained. "One of DESC's inherent strengths is that we can meet this demand with a diverse set of products, projects and technology innovations that are right in line with the needs of the new energy marketplace."
More specifically, Mr. Schroeder demonstrated significant contributions and progress of each of the company's businesses:
1. Northern Power Systems designs, builds, installs and maintains systems
to give users more control over the supply, reliability and cost of
power. Completing more than 800 projects in its more-than-30-year
history, Northern Power has contributed "on-grid" power systems
primarily targeted to commercial or industrial facilities, as well as
"off-grid" applications that integrate renewable technologies into
critical technology systems, often for government or military
applications.
2. Proton Energy Systems manufactures proprietary Proton Exchange
Membrane (PEM) cell stacks and incorporates them into products that
serve existing commercial and advanced technology markets. Proton's
onsite hydrogen generation products, such as its HOGEN(R) line used to
cool electricity generators in power plants, not only offers the
potential for significant cost savings to utilities and other power
producers, but also provides added value from enhanced safety and
convenience.
The most significant validation of Proton's progress is the recent
initiation of marketing relationships with Airgas and Praxair, which
together supply most of the industrial gases delivered in cylinders to
U.S. commercial and industrial markets.
3. Northern Power and Proton are both involved in funded research and
development. Northern Power continues to develop means of channeling
electricity to critical loads where its value is highest. It is also
refining proprietary permanent magnet direct drive (PMDD) for wind
power, which holds promise as the lowest cost and most efficient wind
technology.
The contract research group at Proton is working with the Department
of Energy, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the
Department of Defense and commercial partners on a variety of
applications for hydrogen as fuel. Applications include hydrogen
energy storage systems and projects to support fuel cell vehicle
programs.
"We at Distributed Energy Systems see growth opportunities all around us," Mr. Schroeder concluded. "We know that high energy prices and the growing interest in sustainability issues necessitate practical solutions for more efficient energy use. We are leading the way on this new frontier and will continue to lead, picking our spots and focusing on those markets and products where we have competitive advantage -- or can develop it -- to help DESC continue moving forward now and in the years ahead."
Major Solar Power System to Be Implemented at Timberland's California Distribution Center
Footwear and Apparel Company Signs $3M Contract With Northern Power for System Design and Installation
WAITSFIELD, Vt., June 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Northern Power Systems, a subsidiary of Distributed Energy Systems Corp (NASDAQ:DESC), today announced that it has entered into an agreement to design, engineer and construct a 400 kW solar power system at Timberland's 429,000 square-foot Ontario distribution center in Southern California.
Innovative System to Generate Renewable Energy
The 401.8 kW photovoltaic (PV) system will be installed on a new "TruckPort" steel mounting structure next to Timberland's warehouse, leveraging an unused area of the facility's truck yard by providing storage space for the facility as well as shaded parking for employees. A total of 1,960 PV modules will be mounted on the structure in strings of 14 each. The high-efficiency modules and inverters are expected to produce almost 60% of the facility's electrical load.
Also included in the design of the project will be Northern Power's "SmartView" remote monitoring software technology, allowing Timberland to manage and report on the site's power production in real time from any location via the Internet.
Timberland to Reap Additional Benefits
The timing of the system installation is expected to maximize available incentives under California's Self-Generation Incentive Program, offering Timberland a rebate of over $1.5 million. By reliably delivering up to 60% of the facility's energy needs, the new power system is also expected to create a hedge against potential critical peak pricing surcharges of as much as $1 per kilowatt hour, which may be put into effect in California over the next several summers.
Timberland will retain all of the green credits associated with the power generated by the system. These green credits represent the value of the emissions-free generation of the PV system compared to the emissions (CO2, SO2 and NOx, particulate matter and other pollutants) associated with power that would have come from the grid. According to data collected in a study of emissions in California by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the new system will avoid releasing almost 935,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere per year, or at least 11,690 tons during the system's 25-year lifespan. Data researched by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates this to be the equivalent of planting over 78,000 acres of trees (or 3,150 acres per year).
Clients Matched for Success
Northern Power's COO Darren Jamison was enthusiastic about the contract. "This installation will be one of the largest commercial solar projects in California's history. Implementing a system of this scope for a company with such a reputation for social and corporate responsibility is tremendously inspiring for all of us."
Noting that the project would further affirm Timberland's leadership commitment to renewable energy, Betsy Blaisdell, Manager of Environmental Stewardship of Timberland, stated, "The proposed PV system offers a tremendous value, combining a sound business decision with Timberland's ongoing commitment to social responsibility. We examined the proposals of multiple vendors over a period of 18 months, and Northern's creativity in finding a solution that met our economic and environmental objectives, as well as their track record of designing and installing successful renewable power projects, were determining factors in the contract award." Blaisdell added, "The system's alignment with Timberland's core values makes it the natural next step in our exciting evolution."
Northern Power is currently designing and building over 20 MWs of power systems that utilize a broad range of generation technologies, from combustion turbines and reciprocating engines to Stirling engine, solar and wind technologies.
"Given our broad range of solutions, we are well positioned to help the nation's leading 'green' companies meet their greenhouse gas reduction objectives," said Clint "Jito" Coleman, president of Northern Power. "This project also serves to enhance Northern's position as a premier provider of innovative turnkey power systems."
Northern Power Achieves ISO 9001:2000 Registration
Company Meets Stringent International Requirements for Quality Management WAITSFIELD, Vt. - PRNewswire - May 10
WAITSFIELD, Vt., May 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Northern Power Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of Distributed Energy Systems Corp. (NASDAQ:DESC) announced today that it has received registration for its compliance with ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management System (QMS) Requirements. The registration was awarded by TUV Rheinland of North America.
Northern Power invested in the certification process in response to growing market opportunities with large global firms that require suppliers to become compliant with ISO 9001 standards. In addition to responding to evolving market requirements, Northern Power believes that compliance with ISO 9001 will help to ensure and validate its critical project management processes, reduce customer service issues and help to drive down operating costs by standardizing best practices.
The ISO 9000 family of standards is intended to encourage companies to enhance customer satisfaction by achieving continual improvement of performance in pursuit of quality objectives. In order to attain ISO 9001:2000 compliance, a business must demonstrate superior manufacturing and design practices and commitment to consistently delivering products and services that meet stringent quality and customer requirements.
Northern Power's president, Clint "Jito" Coleman stated, "This registration provides additional proof of the commitment and ability of our people to deliver the highest possible quality of products and service." Mr. Coleman added, "Perhaps more importantly, it positions Northern to continue to grow revenue by winning large project contracts with global firms for whom this registration is a requirement of doing business."
Darren Jamison, chief operating officer, agreed. "This recognition means a lot to all of us, since it reflects a formal acknowledgement that our processes perform at a level that is as good or better than even the industry's largest and best-known systems integration companies."
Air Products Selects Proton Energy Systems as Preferred Supplier for Electrolysis-Based Hydrogen Fueling Stations
Three Stations Slated for California to be Operational in 2005 LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. - PRNewswire-FirstCall - May 9
LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., May 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Air Products (NYSE:APD) today announced the signing of a supply agreement with Proton Energy Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of Distributed Energy Systems Corp. (NASDAQ:DESC), and selection of Proton as the preferred supplier for its electrolysis-based hydrogen energy stations.
"From a PEM (proton exchange membrane) standpoint, Proton is a leader in this technology," said Ed Kiczek, senior business development manager, Future Energy Solutions at Air Products. "When you combine Proton's PEM electrolysis with our hydrogen compression, storage and dispensing technology, you have a fully comprehensive hydrogen fueling station with zero emissions at the site."
Robert Friedland, senior vice president of Proton's hydrogen technology group, added, "Continuing to team with Air Products on hydrogen fueling stations reaffirms the value of our collaboration on this important work. Our joint efforts to date created a configuration that is deployable in a simple compact design layout to provide fuel cell quality hydrogen for various vehicle configurations. We look forward to our future collaboration to help advance the state of the art and the promise of hydrogen fueling technology."
Under the supply agreement, Proton's HOGEN(R) hydrogen generators, which produce hydrogen from electricity and water in a clean and efficient process using its proprietary PEM technology, will initially be used at three previously announced Air Products fueling stations to be placed in California in 2005. Recently, Air Products was selected for three demonstration projects by the California South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) for fueling stations to be placed in Burbank, Riverside and Santa Monica. Air Products and Proton have also collaborated on fueling stations to be located in Vermont, and at a station soon to be dispensing hydrogen for bus transportation at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.
***NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations.
Air Products
Web site: http://www.airproducts.com/
