16th November 2007

Plug Power announced the operation of its Home Energy Station IV (HES IV) at Honda’s Torrance, CA facilities. HES IV is a continuation of ongoing joint activity between Plug Power and Honda R&D Co., Ltd of Japan. The fourth generation Home Energy Station is a fuel cell system that converts natural gas into hydrogen that can be used to fuel a hydrogen-powered car, while providing heat and electricity for residential use.

The Home Energy Station IV represents the latest evolution of the technology with a 70 percent reduction in size compared to the first unit, making it even more suitable for household installation. Simultaneously, efficiency has significantly increased. Most notably, the HES IV utilizes Plug Power’s innovative dual mode fuel cell stack technology, which generates electricity in one mode of operation and acts as a hydrogen purifier in the other. Dual mode stack technology simplifies system architecture and is expected to result in both cost reductions and manufacturing efficiencies. Coupled, these improvements bring the Home Energy Station and a stable hydrogen infrastructure one step closer to early commercialization.

“As automotive fuel cell technology continues to improve, the need for a reliable hydrogen infrastructure becomes increasingly important. Before fuel cell vehicles can have any significant market penetration, there will need to be a viable solution to the inevitable refueling question,” said Mark Sperry, Plug Power’s Chief Marketing Officer. “The Home Energy Station provides the means for vehicle owners to produce onsite hydrogen, as well as heat and power, in an efficient and environmentally friendly way.”

Honda, the recognized leader in automotive fuel cell technology, showcased their all-new FCX hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle this week at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Plug Power has been working with Honda on the Home Energy Station since 2003.

Meanwhile, Ballard Power Systems and Plug Power have been evaluating the potential impact of hydrogen fuel cell technology on greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions. A summary of the results of the analysis are now available for download on Ballard's website (www.ballard.com) or on Plug Power's website (www.plugpower.com).

"Our analysis provides a view of realistic environmental benefits that can be anticipated from fuel cell adoption in commercial markets," said John Sheridan, Ballard's President and Chief Executive Officer. "There are a range of market applications for which fuel cell based products provide competitive advantage, while at the same time significantly reducing GHG emissions."