EWE forges ahead with fuel cell technology

close collaboration with politicians for market launch
cooperation with European Fuel Cell Technology GmbH
Oldenburg--Businessmen and politicians intend to collaborate closely in the future, to spur on the rapid market launch of fuel cell technology. For this purpose, the “Joint Technology Initiative” (JTI) is to come into being in 2007. It is a merging of business enterprises and EU representatives in the form of a private-public partnership. It is anticipated that the initiative will promote demonstration projects across Europe until 2013, in the areas of hydrogen and fuel cell technology. The collaboration is aimed at making promotion both effective and practical.
A new committee is being formed to prepare the way for the JTI, in which EWE, the energy service provider, is also represented. “We are delighted at being given the opportunity to invest, at international level, our many years of experience with this technology of the future” explains Management Board Chairman, Dr. Werner Brinker. “On the other hand, this collaboration is our guarantee that the politicians will continue to support innovative energy ideas.” Brinker goes on to say that the development of efficient and environmentally friendly technologies is absolutely vital - particularly against the backdrop of the growing demand for energy and the increase in environmental pollution.

Only in June of last year did EWE and the Australian manufacturer, Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited (CFCL), sign a contract for the installation of two experimental fuel cells. As an extension of this collaboration, beginning in March, EWE is now planning to test two plants from the Hamburg manufacturer, European Fuel Cell (efc) in single family dwellings. In the autumn of last year, EWE and efc already signed a cooperation agreement to this effect.

In single family dwellings, EWE has already installed and trialled 34 fuel cells from the Swiss manufacturer, Sulzer Hexis. In multiple dwellings, it has installed seven fuel cell units, in collaboration with the Vaillant Company and is also phasing in the involvement of local tradesmen in the practical tests. In addition, the company is developing a Decentralised Energy Management System, in order to integrate decentralised energy production plants in the existing energy supply, by means of intelligent interlinking of resources.

EWE ranks among Germany’s largest energy services companies and is headquartered in Oldenburg in the federal state of Lower Saxony. The group’s business activities comprise electricity, natural gas and water supply, environmental technology as well as gas transmission and trade, telecommunication and information technology.

EWE’s state-of-the-art energy infrastructure ensures a safe and secure supply as well as efficient operations. At an early stage, the company expanded its activities beyond its core competences as a network operator. Today, EWE offers a diverse range of services. In addition to its activities in its home region between the Ems, Weser, and Elbe rivers, EWE continues to expand its operations in Eastern Germany and Poland. In 2004, the EWE Group recorded sales of €6.1 billion and expanded its workforce to over 5,300 in 2005.