A power plant using fuel cells begins producing electricity in The Netherlands

• NedStack Fuel Cell Technology and Akzo Nobel Base Chemicals report successful start-up and operation of a PEM fuel cell system in Akzo Nobel's chlorine electrolysis pilot plant.
• Measured electric efficiency of the fuel cells in this "real life" condition is 61,8%.
• Installation and operation of the pilot-plant is the first step in the development of a 50 MW fuel cell power plant.
• The pilot plant will be located in Rotterdam, the largest industrial area in the Netherlands.
• The Akzo Nobel chlorine pilot plant is producing chlorine through a membrane electrolysis process.
• This process generates chlorine and caustic soda lye as main products, and hydrogen.
• NedStack has installed proton exchange membrane fuel cells that consume hydrogen produced in the plant, and convert this hydrogen to electric power.
• This fuel cell generated power is used in the same pilot plant for electrolysis process.
• NedStack has started the production of a second fuel cell power module.
• This power module is rated at 200 kWe peak power, and will be installed in the Akzo Nobel production plant in Rotterdam, scheduled for mid 2005.
• A fuel cell power plant will use the hydrogen that is produced in a large chlorine electrolysis plant.
• The Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs supports the development within the framework of the EdI (Energy Saving through Innovation) program.
• PEM fuel cell stacks are developed and produced for passenger cars and public transportation, for combined heat and power units, and for several portable fuel cell applications.
• NedStack is using its own patented technology in its products.
• The company has its development centre and production site in Arnhem, The Netherlands.
• Products are used in glass, and in the chemicals, detergent, pulp & paper, and plastics industries.