Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited BlueGen receives substantial state subsidy in NRW

RNS Number : 6652Z

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited

11 March 2013

PRESS RELEASE

BlueGEN technology receives substantial state subsidy

North Rhine-Westphalia pays 45% - 65% of fundable purchase price

Heinsberg, 11 March 2013. Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited ("CFCL") (AIM / ASX: CFU), a leading developer of generators which use fuel cell technology to convert natural gas into electricity and heat for homes and other buildings, has been informed that the state of North Rhine-Westfalia (NRW) has started to implement its recently announced mCHP subsidy policy. Government authorities in Arnsberg/NRW have last week approved the first application for financial assistance. Depending on the size of the business applicant, the regional government of Germany's most populous state is set to promote the BlueGEN technology by subsidising each generator with between 45% and 65% of its fundable purchase price. The applicant, a local bakery, was granted an amount of 13,000 Euros for the purchase of one BlueGEN unit, which equals 65% of the fundable investment costs.

Bob Kennett, CEO of Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited, says: "The state of North Rhine-Westphalia has long been a strong supporter of our technology. We are delighted that this support has now been converted into a clear and substantial financial subsidy. The approved funding level is extremely important in supporting the ongoing marketing and distribution of BlueGEN; we expect this programme to drive a significant increase in demand for our product over the coming months and years. And lastly but most importantly, our first subsidised customer in NRW, will be able to halve his running electricity costs."

Following this first approval, BlueGEN generators are now officially part of the 250 million Euro CHP incentive programme 'progress.nrw', which is designed to accelerate the market breakthrough of highly efficient CHP systems. The CHP act aims to increase the proportion of electricity generated by CHP plants to 25 percent of the state's total production by 2020. A study mandated by the NRW Ministry for Climate Protection and carried out by three renowned German research institutes, the Bremen Energy Institute, the ISI and the IREES, calculated a total CHP potential in NRW of 75 terawatt hours per year. By 2020, NRW's government wantssmall and medium-sized enterprises to contribute a large part of the CHP potential.

CFCL's fuel cell technology perfectly meets the objectives of the state's government, as BlueGEN units are specifically designed for decentralized, on-site use in small and medium-sized enterprises. Providing up to 13,000 kWh a year, BlueGEN can cut running electricity costs by up to 50%. Due to high and rising electricity prices in Germany, one in four companies is considering generating electricity themselves, the latest survey of the German Chamber of Commerce says. With this new subsidy, BlueGEN units have become an attractive investment proposition for more than 600,000 small and medium-sized enterprises in NRW.

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BlueGEN(R) receives product certification from the Australian Gas Association

RNS Number : 5338L

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited

02 August 2011

Tuesday 2(nd) August 2011

BlueGEN(R) receives product certification from the Australian Gas Association

Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited (AIM / ASX: CFU) a leading developer of high efficiency and low emission power products for homes and other buildings, is pleased to announce that the Company's BlueGen gas to electricity generator has been certified by the Australian Gas Association (AGA) for installation as a gas appliance in Australia.

After rigorous testing and evaluation for compliance, AGA has certified the BlueGen to a new safety standard for fuel cell appliances. BlueGen is the first product to comply with this new standard in Australia.

BlueGen is now certified as a "Type A" gas appliance, which allows BlueGen units to be installed by a licensed and trained plumber / gasfitter as for any other typical gas appliance in Australia. BlueGen has also been certified for both indoor and outdoor installations. Previously the installation of BlueGen was restricted as a "Type B" appliance, meaning that the respective State Technical Regulator was required to inspect and approve each installation.

Over the past few months the Company has been working very closely with AGA. This work included the AGA liaising with the Australian Regulatory Authorities, extensively assessing the design of the BlueGen to relevant standards and conducting independent tests on a BlueGen unit at the AGA testing facilities.

AGA is an independent body which provides accredited product certification and testing services for the gas, electrical and plumbing industries in Australia. AGA product certification is based upon an independent technical assessment of a sample product against relevant safety standards (type-testing) and compliance with any other regulatory requirements.

BlueGen has also received full CE safety approval for installation in homes and other buildings in Europe. The Company is also working towards receiving BlueGen safety approval for North America by the end of the year.

BlueGen uses patented ceramic fuel cell technology to turn natural gas into electricity and heat for hot water, with the highest electrical efficiency of any small scale generating technology in the world. In Australia BlueGen units are installed in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Canberra and Brisbane. BlueGen units are available to commercial customers through distributors Harvey Norman Commercial division and Hills Industries.