Fuel cell company Plug Power and Ballard Power Systems have been awarded a $3.5 million contract for the further development of fuel cell systems.

The contract has been awarded by the US Department of Defense under its Continuity of Operations project.

The funding is earmarked to advance collaborative work on a modular and scaleable fuel cell system to be used in telecommunication and other mission critical back-up applications.

Trials of the technology, which is expected to attract custom from both government and private companies, are due to commence in 2008.

John Sheridan, President and Chief Executive Officer at Ballard, said: "Governments play a critical role in bringing technologies to market that provide economic, environmental and security benefits to society as a whole.

"Moving into the second phase of this collaboration with Plug Power illustrates how government, in the role of both investor and end customer, moves new technology forward."

American firm Plug Power and its Canadian partner Ballard Power Systems have worked together on the fuel cell technology targeting government agencies since 2006.

Sources:

Plug Power And Ballard Power Systems To Receive $3.5 Million In DOD Funding For Army Continuity Of Operations, 27/09/07
http://www.plugpower.com/news/press.cfm

Plug Power, Ballard Get $3.5M Contract
Plug Power, Ballard Power Systems Get $3.5 Million Contract From Department of Defense, 27/09/07
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/apwire/D8RT5LHO0.htm

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