Posted February 22, 2002 Manufacturing News Ballard Signs Development Agreement with Ford for Engine Generators Ballard Power Systems (Burnaby, British Columbia; www.ballard.com) Electric Drives and Power Conversion Division has signed a joint development agreement with Ford Power Products (Dearborn, Mich.; www.fordpowerproducts.com) to develop commercial power generation products. Ballard and Ford Power Products (FPP), suppliers of engines, transmissions and components to OEMs, will jointly develop products driven by spark ignited combustion engines for the generator market. Commercial opportunities exist for on-road hybrid applications where the powertrain provides power to electric drive motors, batteries and other equipment. The main application for the Ballard/FPP powertrain is the electrical power generation market (generator sets). Generator sets are most often used when power from the electrical distribution grid is not available. This alternative in power generation has advantages to the end-user, including increased power, lower costs per kilowatt and reduced emissions. These products will have a considerably lower environmental impact than today´s diesel powered generators and have the same or greater power output at a lower cost. The initial products resulting from this agreement are expected by year-end. They will serve the prime power, standby power, and emergency power markets. Prime power is used when there's no connection to the electrical grid; standby power to reduce the amount of power drawn from the grid; and emergency power when there is a failure in the grid. The Manufacturing Report © Copyright 2002 by Lionheart Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. E-mail Editorial Dept: tmr-editorial@lionhrtpub.com Lionheart Publishing, Inc. 2555 Cumberland Parkway, Suite 299, Atlanta, GA 30339 USA Phone: 770-431-0867 | Fax: 770-432-6969 E-mail: lpi@lionhrtpub.com