Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham Visits ECD's Hydrogen Storage and Fuel Cell Facilities

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich., Aug. 26 On Friday, August 23, 2002, U.S. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham visited Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD) and toured ECD's hydrogen storage and fuel cell laboratories and production facilities in Rochester Hills.

The Secretary, while praising Stan and Iris Ovshinsky's foresight in the field of renewable energy, stated that, "President Bush has encouraged the Department of Energy to undertake the public-private technology partnerships in pursuit of a cleaner, more sustainable energy future that is ultimately independent of foreign sources of energy." He added that he was pleased to visit ECD, which is in the forefront with its cutting edge hydrogen, advanced nickel metal hydride batteries and solar technologies. During his visit, Secretary Abraham also had an opportunity to see ECD's family of Ovonic(TM) nickel metal hydride batteries for electric and hybrid electric vehicles, prototypes of solid hydrogen storage units and systems, and a wide array of thin-film photovoltaic (PV) products.

Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy David Garman, who accompanied Secretary Abraham, took the opportunity to tour the 30MW solar cell manufacturing plant, the world's largest thin-film solar cell manufacturing machine, at United Solar Systems Corp. in Auburn Hills. Mr. Garman was particularly impressed with the advanced roll-to-roll manufacturing equipment and the Uni-Solar (TM) thin-film flexible and rugged "Peel-and- Stick" PV laminate that can be applied directly to standing seam metal roofing.

ECD and ChevronTexaco Corporation have three joint ventures to further develop and commercialize ECD's Ovonic(TM) nickel metal hydride batteries, solid hydrogen storage systems and Ovonic(TM) regenerative fuel cell technology; namely, Texaco Ovonic Battery Systems LLC, Texaco Ovonic Hydrogen Systems LLC, and Texaco Ovonic Fuel Cell Company LLC.

United Solar is a joint venture between ECD and N.V. Bekaert S.A. of Belgium. United Solar and Bekaert have an assembly and marketing joint venture, Bekaert ECD Solar Systems LLC.

ECD is the leader in the synthesis of new materials and the development of advanced production technology and innovative products. It has pioneered and developed enabling technologies leading to new products and production processes based on amorphous, disordered and related materials, with an emphasis on advanced information technologies and alternative energy, including photovoltaics, fuel cells, hydride batteries and hydride storage materials capable of storing hydrogen in the solid state for use as a feedstock for fuel cells or internal combustion engines or as an enhancement or replacement for any type of hydrocarbon fuel. ECD designs and builds manufacturing machinery that incorporates its proprietary production processes, maintains ongoing research and development programs to continually improve its products, and develops new applications for its technologies. ECD holds the basic patents in its fields. ECD's web site address is http://www.ovonic.com .