Volkswagen Selects IdaTech for Automotive Diesel Fuel Cell Fuel Processor System

BEND, Ore., Sept. 15 -- IdaTech, fuel cell systems and solutions provider, has been selected by automobile manufacturer Volkswagen of Germany to design and manufacture an integrated fuel processor system operating on diesel fuel to be used in an automotive application: Auxiliary Power Unit (APU).

The agreement, part of a vehicle demonstration project at Volkswagen, marks a first for IdaTech to be working directly with a major European automotive company on vehicle fuel cell systems. IdaTech was selected for its technical performance in diesel fuel reforming. The fuel processing system will be a highly efficient, custom design for vehicular applications and will incorporate IdaTech's patented metal membrane hydrogen purification system, a key component to any compact, liquid fuel proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell system.

"We are very pleased to be working with Volkswagen on this project. It is another solid example of IdaTech's growing technology leadership in the area of fuel cell systems that can run on diesel and other liquid hydrocarbon fuels such as kerosene and bio-diesel. Additionally, this demonstrates our continuing commitment to support forward looking European companies in development of fuel cell solutions for their core businesses," said Claude Duss, IdaTech President and CEO.

IdaTech's fuel cell solutions are based on a flexible, modular design which supports the development of systems with a range of outputs up to 50 kW. These solutions incorporate IdaTech's proprietary multi-fuel fuel processing technology and fuel cell system integration expertise including automation and controls. With the support of strategic partners, the company's solutions are being deployed on a global scale for stationary and portable applications. IdaTech is a subsidiary of the Boise, Idaho-based energy and technology holding company IDACORP, Inc. .