Greenvolt Power to Unveil First Commercial Fuel Cell

-

ORILLIA, Ontario, -- GreenVolt Power Corp. has announced the introduction of a portable fuel cell that utilizes an electrolyte composed of water and table salt to produce up to 10 amperes of current at 13.5 volts DC for 50 hours on a single set of replaceable anodes. The lightweight unit, weighing less than five pounds, is self- contained and designed to operate without an external fuel supply source by utilizing energy contained in its lightweight metal anodes. The cathodes are constructed of a proprietary catalyzed carbon membrane. "The introduction of this patented innovative product, with an expected selling price of $120, represents a significant milestone for GreenVolt and is a major breakthrough in fuel cell technology," said Thomas Faul, chief executive officer of GreenVolt Power. The product is compact, measuring 5 inches wide, 6.25 inches high and 13.5 inches long, and will offer a practical, efficient, portable and ecologically neutral source of electric power. "The total energy output is comparable to a typical automobile battery, but is one-tenth the weight, easily portable and particularly appropriate for emergency automotive applications or as a power source to campers and boaters. The output voltage has been designed to automobile standards and allows owners to take advantage of numerous automotive accessories such as lights, fans and AC inverters," Faul said. The company has initiated marketing efforts for the MP-135 fuel cell unit and is now accepting orders. GreenVolt also noted that the company is on schedule in its efforts to develop and commercially introduce a portable 1.3 to 1.5 kilowatt fuel cell unit in the third quarter of 2001. This product is designed to provide an uninterrupted power supply to users that cannot tolerate a disruption in electric grid power. Background Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that enable the chemical energy of fuels to be converted directly into electricity, thereby avoiding the fundamental loss of efficiency and emission of air pollutants associated with traditional power sources. Based upon a concept first demonstrated in 1839 by William R. Grove, a British scientist who discovered that the electrochemical union of hydrogen and oxygen generated electricity, NASA continues to use these two chemical elements in an alkaline fuel cell power source that began with Project Gemini in 1965. Technically speaking, a fuel cell is an electrochemical device that combines oxygen from the air and hydrogen to produce electricity. Like conventional batteries or electrochemical cells, fuel cells generate electricity from reduction/oxidation reactions at the electrodes of the cells. They produce electricity as long as hydrogen and air are supplied. GreenVolt Power, a development-stage company, is initially focused on the commercialization of alternative, efficient and affordable sources of energy through the utilization of unique frostproof and emission-free modular alkaline fuel cell ("AFC") systems and products, with a future commitment also to explore other alternative energy sources. An abundant, renewable power source, the AFC is designed to produce direct current electric power for use in stationary and portable power applications without pollution. For additional information, visit the company's Web site at www.greenvolt.com.