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Heliocentris Energy Solutions AG: Heliocentris receives EUR 1.5 million in subsidies for new type of fuel cell development

DGAP-News: Heliocentris Energy Solutions AG / Key word(s):
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Heliocentris Energy Solutions AG: Heliocentris receives EUR 1.5
million in subsidies for new type of fuel cell development

20.10.2014 / 08:50

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Heliocentris receives EUR 1.5 million in subsidies for new type of fuel
cell development

* Development of next generation fuel cell-based emergency power supply
launched
* Commercially competitive zero-emissions solution based on hydrogen ready
for market
* Conclusion of project planned by mid-2016

Berlin, 20 October 2014 - Heliocentris Energy Solutions AG (WKN A1MMHE) is
to receive subsidies amounting to EUR 1.5 million for the development of a
new kind of hydrogen-based fuel cell emergency power supply that does not
require highly elaborate hydrogen cylinder logistics. The subsidies are
available immediately and are a non-refunded grant to Heliocentris. Among
other things, these funds are to be used for grid-connected mobile phone
base stations to ensure full availability in the event of blackouts.

The new solution works with an integrated, highly cost-effective hydrogen
generator (electrolyser) that produces hydrogen from electricity and water
and then saves it in a tank. In the event of a blackout, the fuel cell uses
this hydrogen to generate electricity - with zero emissions - for the
uninterrupted operation of the stationary facility.

In countries with a poor power grid, grid-connected mobile phone base
stations are predominantly backed up with diesel battery solutions. Using
them entails high diesel and maintenance costs in addition to the
associated environmental pollution. But even in regions with a stable power
supply, these conventional solutions are used, e.g. for digital radio
networks, which as critical infrastructure are subject to special security
requirements, to bridge even long downtimes in emergencies.

Henrik Colell, CTO of Heliocentris AG, said: "This subsidised project will
enable us to develop a ground-breaking, autonomous emergency power supply
that does not require fuel cell logistics and that will have significantly
lower maintenance costs even with highly competitive acquisition costs.
Moving ahead, this solution also has the potential to replace back-up
diesel generators at photovoltaics locations in addition to backing up
grid-connected locations."

The acquisition of FutureE Fuel Cell Solutions GmbH created a new market
leader in Germany for fuel cell-based energy solutions. Colell continued:
"The subsidy commitment confirms our strategy of using fuel cell systems,
not just as an emergency power supply on domestic markets, but also to