Ballard Power Systems has successfully completed tests on a new generation system which makes use of its proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells.

The company has been factory-testing the generator to a level of 1MW in an attempt to provide clean energy peaking capacity, which would be useful during periods of high energy demand.

Installation and commissioning of the system is planned for the third quarter of 2010 in preparation for a multi-year demonstration at FirstEnergy Generation's Eastlake facility in Ohio.

Michael Goldstein, Chief Commercial Officer at Ballard, revealed that the system will be the largest PEM fuel cell generator in the world when it becomes fully operational.

"We are pleased to have passed this key customer milestone," he said.

"Once commissioned, this will be an important 'first' for us, meeting a key 2010 Ballard growth milestone and further demonstrating the benefits of fuel cell systems for clean distributed generation applications in the energy sector."

Ballard Power Systems, which was founded in 1979, has already produced a bus which makes use of PEM fuel cells alone.

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Ballard Completes Factory Testing of Utility-Scale PEM Fuel Cell-Powered Generator (27/07/10)

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