Avista has deal to market fuel cells

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Avista has deal to market fuel cells Pact could lead to millions of dollars in orders for alternative power source

Bert Caldwell - Staff writer

Sales from two other pending contracts would take care of the remainder, he said.

But just as importantly, Davis said, the Aperion deal validates Avista Labs' technology, which is based on racks containing individual fuel cells.

If a cell fails, it can be removed and replaced without shutting down the unit and interrupting power output.

Although Aperion is only a few months old as a company, President William Book said his team has been assessing fuel cell technologies for two years.

After testing the Avista Labs cell for a year, he said, "We really saw Avista was ready."

Book said Aperion will couple Avista's fuel cells with its own technology and fuel systems from other suppliers to create backup power units capable of producing up to 10,000 watts.

"Folks are hungry for this, but nobody has been able to deliver product," he said. "We think we've got a super product we can take to market."

He said representatives from 25 utilities reacted enthusiastically when Aperion and Avista officials discussed the package with them a week ago.

Davis said he expects Avista Labs and Aperion officials to begin joint marketing efforts this week.

But Avista wants to maintain its focus on developing fuel cell technology, he said, and working with a systems integrator like Aperion will allow the Spokane company to do that.

Aperion is based in Jefferson City, Mo. ABB, one of the world's largest engineering companies, with $23.7 billion in sales last year, is based in Zurich.

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2002

Answers

I wonder just how often a cell will fail.

this will take some monitoring, I'm sure. Hope it works and catches on.

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2002


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