|
Woodward Governor Company
5001 North Second Street
P.O. Box 7001
Rockford, IL 61125-7001, U.S.A.
Tel: 815-877-7441
Fax: 815-639-6033
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Product Information:
John Emery
Product Manager
Tel: 970-498-3923
Email:
Offers integrated controls systems and components to stationary fuel cell OEMs
Rockford, Ill., December 11, 2001—Woodward Governor Company (Nasdaq: WGOV) announced their entry into the stationary fuel cell market by offering integrated control systems and components to manufacturers and developers of PEM, SOFC and MCFC fuel cells. Woodward's Industrial Controls business has completed a detailed evaluation of the emerging fuel cell market, system/component requirements and available technologies, and now is offering a number of advanced technologies into this market.
"We believe the stationary fuel cell market will be the first to develop," said John Emery, Woodward's product manager for distributed generation control systems. "Our component and system experience allows us to work with these fuel cell manufacturers to reduce cost and improve performance.
"Many of our existing gas/air metering and power plant control products match very well with existing requirements for medium to large stationary fuel cells," Emery said. "In addition, we have launched several development programs to modify existing components that will provide OEMs with improved performance at a lower cost."
Woodward has focused on four key sub-systems within the fuel power plant that allow for the application of the company's existing "Energy Control Technologies" to be applied from other power generation markets.
Within the gas metering system, Woodward is able to offer complete control solutions utilizing metering valves derived from the company's high-volume reciprocating engine applications. With minor modifications, these same technologies can be applied to the air control system. In addition to the components, Woodward is able to apply decades of system design pedigree to offer low-pressure-drop systems that further reduce cost and improve performance.
The third subsystem is the power plant controller. At present, Woodward is applying its Atlas flexible control platform to large stationary fuel cells currently in system development. However, derivative projects have been launched to better match the fuel cell's long-term performance requirements for high-volume production. Woodward also is working toward the introduction of an electronic controller that would meet the technical and commercial requirements for fuel cells under 100 kW.
Finally, Woodward is leveraging its Aircraft Engine System's liquid fuel pumping/control knowledge and industrial controls experience with de-ionized water systems, to offer systems that solve some of the unique water system requirements at a competitive price.
"Our experience in energy control systems has provided us the foundation and knowledge that we are now leveraging into the stationary fuel cell market," said Tom Gendron, vice president and general manager of Woodward's Industrial Controls business. "We feel that with continued commercialization, fuel cells will become a significant source of power generation over the next five years. Within the next six months we expect to be able to announce several agreements to supply systems and components to several leading fuel cell OEMs."
About Woodward
Industrial Controls, a Woodward business based in Fort Collins, Colorado, USA, is a world leader in turbine and engine controls. The business provides innovative controls and fuel delivery systems that are used by engine and turbine manufacturers worldwide to make their products cleaner, more efficient, and more productive.
Headquartered in Rockford, Illinois, and serving global markets from locations worldwide, Woodward has approximately 3500 employees and is a leading producer of fuel control systems and components for aircraft and industrial engines and turbines. The company's products and services are used in the power generation, oil and gas processing, rail, aviation, and marine markets in addition to many light and heavy industrial applications. Visit our Web site at www.woodward.com.
----------------------------------
The statements in this release concerning the company's future billings, business performance, and prospects reflect current expectations and are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from projections or any other forward-looking statement. Factors which could affect performance and could cause actual results to differ materially from projections and forward-looking statements are described in Woodward's Annual Report and Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2001.
|
