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Wild speculation (while waiting for real news): There is a private company called Z Electric Vehicles that sells electric motorcycles.
https://www.zelectricvehicle.com/
Wouldn't it be interesting if Lightning planned on buying them and using their name? If the current ZEV is profitable, it wouldn't be a bad idea. It would also make the ZEV choice as a stock symbol more understandable. There isn't anything wrong with planning a complete line of electric vehicles, from motorcycles to trucks...and someday maybe automobiles.
This is just wild speculation though.
When the merger is complete, and Lightning starts trading, their symbol is going to be ZEV. I wonder why they chose those letters? LEM seems to be open. Are they planning a name change or something?
Hey Big daddy, do you have any thoughts about recent PLUG developments?
One of my favorite things about VUZI is their proactiveness in giving news to support their shareholders. Today they gave us this. Hopefully, very soon, we'll also get news of the successful closing of the share offering.
https://ir.vuzix.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1881/vuzix-partners-with-techsee-to-bring-ai-powered-visual
You're welcome.
We can start going up anytime now. I'm fully loaded.
Most of you have probably seen this, but it might be interesting to new people stopping by: https://d1io3yog0oux5.cloudfront.net/_120ab8db568437355d9c59f99939c6c7/vuzix/db/239/1938/pdf/Vuzix+investor+Presentation+-+March+2021.pdf
Steve Weiss said the offering was over-subscribed, so that's good.
I nearly double my position today. GLTA!
I was quite a bit off with my earlier post about $300 million for the offering. It is only $85 million, priced at $20.50 per share.
Vuzix Corporation Announces Pricing Of $85 Million Public Offering Of Common Stock
7:00 AM ET 3/26/21 | Dow Jones
ROCHESTER, N.Y., March 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Vuzix(R) Corporation (NASDAQ: VUZI), ("Vuzix" or, the "Company"), a leading supplier of Smart Glasses and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies and products for the consumer and enterprise markets, today announced the pricing of an underwritten public offering of 4,146,342 shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $20.50 per share, before underwriting discounts and commission. The Company has granted the underwriters an option for a period of 30 days to purchase up to an additional 621,951 shares of common stock at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The offering is expected to close on or about March 30, 2021, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions. The gross proceeds to the Company from the offering, excluding any exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares, are expected to be approximately $85 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses payable by the Company.
BTIG, LLC is acting as sole book-running manager. Craig-Hallum Capital Group, LLC is acting as co-manager for the offering. The Special Equities Group (SEG), a division of Dawson James Securities, Inc., is acting as a financial advisor to the Company.
The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the shares of common stock for general corporate purposes, including working capital to accelerate the building of finished goods inventory to address increasing customer demand, new technology development, new product development, purchases of technology, expansion of our software offerings, and possible related acquisitions of other firms.
The shares described above are being offered by the Company pursuant to a shelf registration statement on Form S-3, including a base prospectus, that was filed on February 2, 2021 and declared effective by the SEC on February 9, 2021. The offering will be made only by means of a written prospectus and prospectus supplement that form a part of the registration statement. A final prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC's website located at www.sec.gov. Copies of the final prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the offering, may also be obtained, when available, by contacting BTIG, LLC at 65 East 55th Street, New York, NY, 10022, by email at ProspectusDelivery@btig.com or by telephone at (212) 593-7555.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor will there be any sales of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.
I agree, even if I have to sell some PLUG and FCEL to do it.
Amazon hasn't converted any warrants to shares? I thought that was the cause of the reduced revenue in the last earnings report. What did I get wrong?
Even if they do build a delivery van that uses H2, I'm sure it's just a 'one off'.
It isn't easy to find in the prospectus, but it looks like they are trying to raise about $300 million. This would add about 13 to 14 million shares if they sell at $23, or 15 million shares if sold at $20 each. The current shares outstanding isn't too high at 57.9 million.
I think this is good. I think they need to greatly ramp up production due to the huge demand for their product.
The prospectus says they expect the sale to complete this month.
https://ir.vuzix.com/sec-filings/all-sec-filings/content/0001104659-21-041506/0001104659-21-041506.pdf
Live and learn. It seems, in the future, it might be best to wait for these SPACs until the merger vote is completed.
Not everybody can be a visionary, Jack, and those who aren't will always ridicule those who are; even while their businesses grow and their visions move closer toward reality. Even Amazon wasn't built in a day.
God bless the visionaries!
JB - I'm confident that Andy and Paul were clever enough to plot their dastardly looting of PLUG investors' wallets with highly encrypted Tic Toc messages, or maybe notes sent with disappearing ink. There won't be anything to find there.
Your anti-Andy bias is so evident that I wonder what perceived slight he injured you with. It can't just be your bruised ego at being proven SO wrong with your years long condemnation of PLUG's business model and management team, can it?
It's too bad, Jack, that PLUG hasn't thought to consult with attorneys regarding what should and shouldn't be divulged, and when, during precarious times such as this.
What could Andy have been thinking to make these decisions all on his own?
My favorite quote from the 8k:
“We are well-positioned to achieve significant year-over-year comparative revenue growth in our first quarter and throughout 2021, thanks to the growing success of our MSeries and Vuzix Blade Smart Glasses across key market verticals that include healthcare, field service, manufacturing and warehouse and logistics, as well as expected contributions from our OEM business group,” said Mr. Travers. “Further, as competitive as our current family of smart glasses are, we intend to reset the industry bar for performance and wearability as we complete the development and announce the launch of our next generation smart glasses over the balance of this year. Due to significant warrant exercises since December 2020, our revenue growth and product development objectives this year will be fortified by the strongest balance sheet in our company’s history.”
https://d1io3yog0oux5.cloudfront.net/sec/0001104659-21-038357/0001104659-21-038357.pdf
Thank you. Have you seen this?
https://app.quotemedia.com/data/downloadFiling?webmasterId=103045&ref=115723036&type=PDF&symbol=GIK&companyName=GigCapital3+Inc.&formType=425&formDescription=Prospectuses+and+communications%2C+business+combinations&dateFiled=2021-03-15&CK=1802749
Supposedly it's an EDGAR filing from 3/15.
I bought a position today after a friend mentioned it on another board, and after some due diligence. I usually time things pretty good, so good luck to all longs here.
Even the insurance industry can benefit from using VUZIX glasses. The total market seems endless!
Vuzix Receives Initial Smart Glasses Deployment Order from Major US Insurance Services Company
9:29 AM ET 3/17/21 | PR Newswire
ROCHESTER, N.Y., March 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Vuzix(R) Corporation (NASDAQ: VUZI), ("Vuzix" or, the "Company"), a leading supplier of Smart Glasses and Augmented Reality (AR) technology and products, today announced that the Company has received an initial deployment order totalling approximately $400,000 for Vuzix M400 Smart Glasses from a Fortune 100 US-based insurance and financial services company. This initial deployment order, received after more than 18 months of piloting, is for immediate delivery with the potential for subsequent deployment orders in the future as this customer expands its use of smart glasses.
The insurance industry has been an active embracer of new technologies over the past several years to streamline operations and enhance profitability. Vuzix Smart Glasses will be used by this company's fleet of insurance agents to help them in the field when they are capturing and reviewing claim-related information. The M400's HD phase detect auto focus camera with zoom control is ideally suited to capture and store sharp photos and 4K video for claims processing.
"We continue to see an increasing number of companies across an expanding number of verticals selecting our industry leading M400 Smart Glasses for deployment within their organization to either solve operational challenges encountered in the field at customer sites or simply help maximize human capital," said Paul Travers, President and CEO of Vuzix.
Quote from the release: “We are pleased to continue our collaboration with Chart Industries as we execute on our green hydrogen strategy with plans to produce 1,000 tons of green hydrogen globally by 2028,” said Andy Marsh, CEO of Plug Power.
Does he mean 1000 tons per day? If so, he must be planning 30 more of these liquification plants.
I elect to view this more as a rededication to improved communication for shareholders. Let's see if, now that the restatement issue isn't restraining news, the company doesn't continue being more transparent with developments.
Also, I give Andy credit for venturing out today to present at conferences. I think I would be more inclined to want to duck and cover for a few days.
PLUG POWER CONTINUES EXECUTING ON ITS GREEN HYDROGEN STRATEGY WITH PURCHASE OF HYDROGEN LIQUEFACTION SYSTEM FROM CHART INDUSTRIES
03/17/21
Plug Power to Build First-of-a-Kind Green Hydrogen Generation Network in United StatesATLANTA and LATHAM, N.Y. , March 17, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE)
-- Chart Industries, Inc. (NYSE: GTLS), a leading diversified global manufacturer of highly engineered equipment for the industrial gas and clean energy industries has announced that Plug Power (NASDAQ: PLUG), a leading provider of turnkey green hydrogen solutions has placed an order for two 15 ton per day liquefaction plants. This is in line with Plug Power’s previously announced strategy to build the first-of-a-kind green hydrogen generation network in the United States.
The hydrogen liquefaction plants will utilize Chart’s helium refrigeration technology, cold box design, and the associated rotating equipment. This order includes the supply of the hydrogen liquefaction system, liquid hydrogen storage tanks, and trailer loadout bays. Delivery is scheduled for the second quarter of 2022.The liquefication system will utilize gaseous hydrogen from Plug Power’s in-house electrolyzers and renewable electricity. The US-based plants will be located in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, and are expected to be online before the end of 2022.“We are proud to be a partner to Plug Power as they execute on their strategic global buildout in the hydrogen industry,” stated Jill Evanko, Chart’s CEO and President. “Their global vision is already demonstrated in the increasing demand for Plug’s hydrogen value chain, and we are pleased to contribute our liquefaction and equipment capabilities to Plug Power’s vision.” “We are pleased to continue our collaboration with CHART industries as we execute on our green hydrogen strategy with plans to produce 1,000 tons of green hydrogen globally by 2028,” said Andy Marsh, CEO of Plug Power.
Chart Industries, Inc. is a leading independent global manufacturer of highly engineered equipment servicing multiple applications in the Energy and Industrial Gas markets. Our unique product portfolio is used in every phase of the liquid gas supply chain, including upfront engineering, service and repair. Being at the forefront of the clean energy transition, Chart is a leading provider of technology, equipment and services related to liquefied natural gas, hydrogen, biogas and CO2 Capture amongst other applications. We are committed to excellence in environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) issues both for our company as well as our customers. With over 25 global locations from the United States to Asia, Australia, India, Europe and South America, we maintain accountability and transparency to our team members, suppliers, customers and communities. To learn more, visit www.chartindustries.com.
PLUG POWER TO RESTATE PREVIOUSLY ISSUED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
03/16/21
No Expected Impact on Cash Position, Business Operations or Economics of Commercial Arrangements
Plug Power Remains Well Positioned to Capitalize on its Leadership in the Rapidly Growing Global Green Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Industry LATHAM, N.Y., March 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ: PLUG), a leading provider of turnkey hydrogen solutions building the global green hydrogen economy, announced today that it will restate its previously issued financial statements for fiscal years 2018 and 2019 and its quarterly filings for 2019 and 2020, which will be disclosed in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (the “Prior Period Financial Statements”).In consultation with KPMG LLP, the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, management and the Audit Committee of Plug Power’s Board of Directors determined that the Company’s Prior Period Financial Statements need to be restated due to errors in accounting primarily related to several non-cash items, including:
The reported book value of right of use assets and related finance obligations;
Loss accruals for certain service contracts;
The impairment of certain long-lived assets; and
The classification of certain costs, resulting in a decrease in research and development expense and a corresponding increase in cost of revenue.
The accounting related to the restatement is complex and technical and involves significant judgments in how to apply U.S. GAAP, given the innovative nature of the Company’s business and its leading position in a new and rapidly developing industry. The revised accounting will change how the Company accounts for certain transactions and items, but is not expected to impact the Company’s cash position, business operations or economics of commercial arrangements. The Company continues to expect to achieve its previously stated gross billings targets of $475 million in 2021, $750 million in 2022 and $1.7 billion in 2024.Andy Marsh, CEO of Plug Power, said, “Since our founding nearly 25 years ago, Plug Power has prided itself on operating with transparency and integrity, and we are working to resolve this matter quickly. Importantly, there is no expected impact to our cash position, business operations or economics of commercial arrangements. We continue to execute on our mission to provide customers with state-of-the-art fuel cell and green hydrogen solutions. We remain confident in our ability to leverage our strong business momentum and market leading technologies, independently and alongside our joint venture partners, to capture the significant business opportunities in this rapidly growing industry.” As part of the Company’s normal process, prior to releasing its 2020 fourth quarter and year end preliminary results and prior to completion of the audit, on February 24, 2021, the Company and the Audit Committee discussed those results with KPMG, and at that time, no material issues were raised. However, after the Company reported its 2020 fourth quarter and year end results, and in the course of finalizing the audit, the Company and KPMG identified the restatement items cited above. The Company has since reevaluated its accounting and determined that it needed to correct the previous accounting for those items.It is important to note that the changes being recorded did not result from any override of controls or misconduct, and KPMG has not informed the Audit Committee of any issues related to an override of controls or misconduct. The Company will not be able to file its Form 10-K for 2020 by the March 16, 2021 deadline and is working diligently to finalize the restated financials and file its Form 10-K as soon as possible. As disclosed in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed today with the SEC, the Prior Period Financial Statements should no longer be relied upon and the fourth quarter and full year 2020 financial results and related discussion in the Company’s shareholder letter issued on February 25, 2021 should no longer be relied upon.
No Expected Impact on Cash Position, Business Operations or Economics of Commercial Arrangements
Plug Power Remains Well Positioned to Capitalize on its Leadership in the Rapidly Growing Global Green Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Industry LATHAM, N.Y., March 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ: PLUG), a leading provider of turnkey hydrogen solutions building the global green hydrogen economy, announced today that it will restate its previously issued financial statements for fiscal years 2018 and 2019 and its quarterly filings for 2019 and 2020, which will be disclosed in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (the “Prior Period Financial Statements”).In consultation with KPMG LLP, the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, management and the Audit Committee of Plug Power’s Board of Directors determined that the Company’s Prior Period Financial Statements need to be restated due to errors in accounting primarily related to several non-cash items, including:
The reported book value of right of use assets and related finance obligations;
Loss accruals for certain service contracts;
The impairment of certain long-lived assets; and
The classification of certain costs, resulting in a decrease in research and development expense and a corresponding increase in cost of revenue.
The accounting related to the restatement is complex and technical and involves significant judgments in how to apply U.S. GAAP, given the innovative nature of the Company’s business and its leading position in a new and rapidly developing industry. The revised accounting will change how the Company accounts for certain transactions and items, but is not expected to impact the Company’s cash position, business operations or economics of commercial arrangements. The Company continues to expect to achieve its previously stated gross billings targets of $475 million in 2021, $750 million in 2022 and $1.7 billion in 2024.Andy Marsh, CEO of Plug Power, said, “Since our founding nearly 25 years ago, Plug Power has prided itself on operating with transparency and integrity, and we are working to resolve this matter quickly. Importantly, there is no expected impact to our cash position, business operations or economics of commercial arrangements. We continue to execute on our mission to provide customers with state-of-the-art fuel cell and green hydrogen solutions. We remain confident in our ability to leverage our strong business momentum and market leading technologies, independently and alongside our joint venture partners, to capture the significant business opportunities in this rapidly growing industry.” As part of the Company’s normal process, prior to releasing its 2020 fourth quarter and year end preliminary results and prior to completion of the audit, on February 24, 2021, the Company and the Audit Committee discussed those results with KPMG, and at that time, no material issues were raised. However, after the Company reported its 2020 fourth quarter and year end results, and in the course of finalizing the audit, the Company and KPMG identified the restatement items cited above. The Company has since reevaluated its accounting and determined that it needed to correct the previous accounting for those items.It is important to note that the changes being recorded did not result from any override of controls or misconduct, and KPMG has not informed the Audit Committee of any issues related to an override of controls or misconduct. The Company will not be able to file its Form 10-K for 2020 by the March 16, 2021 deadline and is working diligently to finalize the restated financials and file its Form 10-K as soon as possible. As disclosed in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed today with the SEC, the Prior Period Financial Statements should no longer be relied upon and the fourth quarter and full year 2020 financial results and related discussion in the Company’s shareholder letter issued on February 25, 2021 should no longer be relied upon.
From reading your posts as far back as last September, Groton should have been completed long ago. If completion is waiting on some other company to finish hooking things up, and if they are under contract to finish the job in a timely manner, then I wonder if FCEL has a valid lawsuit regarding lost revenues due the delay.
If you copied and pasted the Maxim Group downgrade, they got it terribly wrong. VUZI didn't report earnings of .09 a share compared to year ago earnings of .31 a share, they posted a loss of .09 a share compared to a loss of .31 a share last year. Earnings didn't drop .22 a share, they rose 22 cents a share.
Also, the Craig-Hallum analyst raised his target price to $30 from $12 today.
I believe the extension for the 10k expires today. I see nothing posted yet.
Did you listen to the call Briboy? There were 1 or 2 new analysts to ask questions. Maybe we will see some new buy recommendations and upgrades in the next few days.
I wish they would have forecast a revenue range for this year. If they did, the analysts would be able to be more confident in their price projections. As it is they will have to be somewhat conservative.
I'm also invested in Plug Power. PLUG gives revenue projections 3 or 4 years forward and that has been instrumental in their meteoric rise over the past year.
Earnings were announced today after market close. I listened to the conference call and am doubly excited about VUZI's future. They said practically all of the customers who bought from them before are placing new orders, and although they might have bought 3 or 10 glasses before, now they are buying 50 to 500 in the re-orders. They also said that the 1st quarter is usually their slowest quarter but this year the 1st quarter will be very very good.
They said they don't give revenue projections, and I wish they would. If they did give projections I think the stock price would accelerate more than it's going to, but in the end it will get where it's going...much higher.
The taped call will be available for a while at their website.
Earnings will be announced Monday 3/15 with a conference call at 4:30pm to discuss them.
I apologize for saying they didn't announce this previously. They set the for us on 3/1.
Ok, thanks. I was working off this page that doesn't show much has happened for a while.
https://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/DIGAF/news
I called the corporate number to see if they're still in business. All I got was a message, but it did say Digatrade, so at least we know they are paying the phone bill.
Earnings are expected to be announced next week. VUZI had a news release on 2/25 that said they had $48 million of warrants recently exercised.
I'm also invested in PLUG and they also announced some warrants were exercised just before they announced earnings. Due to the way PLUG accounted for the warrants, they had to subtract the amount from revenues and earnings. It changed PLUG's earnings from a loss of 10 cents to a loss of $1 per share. The stock price took a beating due to that.
I'm not sure how VUZI accounts for the warrants, but it's possible they might take a hit on their numbers also. I hope not.
Please provide a link confirming no follow-up orders. Thank you.
I finally completed translating the French news item Scuba Steve shared with us earlier. Here it is:
The first green hydrogen station in Corsica will open in the second half of 2021, on the Aléria production site of Corstyrene, a specialist in thermal insulation. Powered from solar shades, located in the factory parking lot, the installation will produce up to 100 kWp which, in a first phase, will be used to recharge 7 STILL RX 20 trolleys equipped with a fuel cell.
"Sustainable development is in our DNA" underlines Estelle Ouzineb, engineer in charge of projects at Corstyrène, the company having been created precisely to limit the ecological impact generated by the transport of insulation panels, previously manufactured on the continent. , then transported to Corsica. "An environmental mismanagement if we know that these products are composed of 98% air". A polystyrene waste recycling unit was then set up in order to recover these industrial by-products which are now reintegrated into the manufacture of certain references. "Tests are underway to bring this rate up to 50 % ”Reveals Estelle Ouzineb.
Investing in the energies of the future
Corstyrène also turned to renewable energies by installing, in 2010, a photovoltaic power plant on its production site in Aléria (75 kWp), in Haute Corse, then by investing in the creation, in partnership with Générale du Solar, a 3 ha photovoltaic park connected to the grid in 2020.
A new step in this green deployment: the construction, still on the Aléria site, of a hydrogen production and distribution station with a theoretical capacity of 20 kg / day, supplied by photovoltaic shades installed in the car park of the company. "It is, as such, a double first Corsica" specifies Estelle Ouzineb, "since it is indeed green hydrogen, therefore completely carbon-free", while 95% of the hydrogen, currently available on the market, is produced from natural gas. This station, which will be located on an 80 m2 slab, adjoining the factory, will initially supply seven forklifts equipped with fuel cells.
For the choice of gear, "we naturally turned to STILL, which has experience on the subject. STILL was able to offer us solutions that met our needs, at competitive costs and deadlines "comments the engineer.
Recognized know-how
“STILL is indeed a pioneer in the development and implementation of fuel cell trucks,” comments Christophe Oruzio, Warehouse Products Manager and responsible for fuel cell projects at STILL France, the company which now owns the site ( 1) with the largest European fleet of hydrogen powered forklifts. “Our recognized know-how in the field leads us to advise and carry out numerous projects, all over Europe. We are therefore delighted to contribute to the development of green energy in Corsica, by setting up clean trolleys at Corstyrène ".
In practice, the 7 trolleys (5 RX-20 16P and 2RX-20 18P) will be sold pre-equipped to receive a PlugPower type 1510-48 CEA fuel cell (power 10 kW at 48V). They will be delivered with a CE certificate of conformity which covers the whole trolley and fuel cell. "Our island partner will be in charge of the maintenance of the trucks", specifies Christophe Oruzio, while PlugPower will take care of the maintenance of the fuel cells. The switch to hydrogen will, of course, allow "greater flexibility in the use of the trolleys", explains Estelle Ouzineb, with a filling time of only two minutes, where it currently takes 8 hours to recharge. a conventional electric battery.
First floor of an ambitious project
But this advantage is not fundamental for Corstyrene "because our trolleys, which are used for the transport of raw materials and finished products, do not run continuously". This is in fact a first step, which is part of a more global and ambitious project. “The ultimate goal is to replace the plant's entire fleet of forklifts (nine in total) and semi-trailers, but also to supply private vehicles through partnerships forged with the municipality. ". These different stages "will allow us to acquire industrial know-how and skills which could lead to a real industrialization of the process and, why not, the possibility of supplying green energy to the ports of Bastia and Ajaccio.
Here it is, Cabel, fwiw:
Corstyrène choisit STILL pour ses chariots à hydrogène
Published on March 4, 2021
Lise GERBET
Lise GERBET
Responsable presse et événementiel chez STILL France
14 articles
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La première station à hydrogène vert de Corse ouvrira au cours du second semestre 2021, sur le site de production d’Aléria de la société Corstyrène, spécialiste de l’isolation thermique. Alimentée à partir d’ombrières solaires, implantées sur le parking de l’usine, l’installation produira jusqu’à 100 kWc qui, dans une première phase, serviront à recharger 7 chariots RX 20 de STILL équipés d’une pile à combustible.
« Le développement durable est inscrit dans notre ADN » souligne Estelle Ouzineb, ingénieur chargée de projets chez Corstyrène, l’entreprise ayant été créée précisément afin de limiter l’impact écologique généré par le transport des panneaux d’isolation, auparavant fabriqués sur le continent, puis acheminés jusqu’en Corse. « Une gabegie environnementale si l’on sait que ces produits sont composés à 98% d’air ». C’est une unité de recyclage des déchets polystyrène qui a ensuite été mise en place, afin de valoriser ces sous-produits industriels qui sont désormais réintégrés dans la fabrication de certaines références « Des tests sont en cours pour porter ce taux jusqu’à 50% » révèle Estelle Ouzineb.
Investir dans les énergies du futur
Corstyrène s’est également tourné vers les énergies renouvelables en installant, dès 2010, une centrale photovoltaïque sur son site de production d’Aléria (75 kWc), en Haute Corse, puis en s’investissant dans la création, en partenariat avec Générale du Solaire, d’un parc photovoltaïque de 3 ha raccordé au réseau en 2020.
Nouvelle étape dans ce déploiement vert : la réalisation, toujours sur le site d’Aléria, d’une station de production et de distribution d’hydrogène d’une capacité théorique de 20 kg/jour, alimentée par des ombrières photovoltaïques installées sur le parking de l’entreprise. « C’est, à ce titre, une double première Corse » précise Estelle Ouzineb, « puisqu’il s’agit en effet d’hydrogène vert, donc totalement décarboné », alors que 95% de l’hydrogène, actuellement disponible sur le marché, est produit à partir de gaz naturel. Cette station, qui sera implantée sur une dalle de 80 m2, mitoyenne à l’usine, permettra d’approvisionner, dans un premier temps, sept chariots élévateurs équipés de piles à combustible.
Pour le choix des engins, « nous nous sommes tout naturellement tournés vers STILL qui a de l’expérience sur le sujet. STILL a su nous proposer des solutions qui répondaient à nos besoins, et ce dans des coûts et des délais compétitifs » commente l’ingénieur.
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Un savoir-faire reconnu
« STILL est en effet précurseur dans le développement et la mise en place de chariots pile à combustible », commente Christophe Oruzio, Chef Produits magasinage et responsable des projets pile à combustible chez STILL France, la société possédant, aujourd’hui, le site (1) avec la plus grande flotte européenne de chariots élévateurs fonctionnant à l’hydrogène. « Notre savoir-faire reconnu dans le domaine nous amène à conseiller et réaliser de nombreux projets, partout en Europe. Nous sommes donc ravis de contribuer au développement d’une énergie verte en Corse, à travers la mise en place de chariots propres chez Corstyrène ».
Dans la pratique, les 7 chariots (5 RX-20 16P et 2RX-20 18P) seront vendus prééquipés afin de recevoir une pile à combustible PlugPower type 1510-48 CEA (puissance 10 kW en 48V). Ils seront livrés avec un certificat de conformité CE qui couvre l’ensemble chariot et pile à combustible. « Notre partenaire insulaire sera en charge de l’entretien des chariots », précise Christophe Oruzio, tandis que PlugPower assurera celui des piles à combustible. Le passage à l’hydrogène permettra, bien entendu, « une plus grande souplesse au niveau de l’utilisation des chariots », explique Estelle Ouzineb, avec un temps de remplissage de seulement deux minutes, là où il faut actuellement 8 heures de recharge pour une batterie électrique classique.
Première étage d’un projet ambitieux
Mais cet avantage n’est pas fondamental pour Corstyrène « car nos chariots, qui sont utilisés pour le transport des matières premières et des produits finis, ne fonctionnent pas en continu ». Il s’agit en fait d’une première étape, qui s’inscrit dans un projet plus global et ambitieux. « L’objectif, à terme, est de remplacer l’ensemble de la flotte de chariot élévateurs (neuf au total) et de semi-remorques de l’usine, mais aussi d’approvisionner des véhicules particuliers via des partenariats tissés avec la commune ». Ces différentes étapes « nous permettront d’acquérir le savoir-faire et les compétences industriels qui pourraient déboucher sur une véritable industrialisation du process et, pourquoi pas, la possibilité de fournir une énergie verte aux ports de Bastia et d’Ajaccio.
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Un projet à plus long terme qui passera par la potentielle réalisation d’une unité de dépolymérisation. Elle permettra de valoriser les déchets plastique qui, aujourd’hui, constituent une forte problématique environnementale pour l’île » conclut Estelle Ouzineb.
(1) STILL est l’un des partenaires industriels du site Carrefour de Vendin-le-Vieil (Pas-de-Calais) où ont été déployés 137 chariots pile à combustible STILL.
Hydrogène vert et hydrogène gris
Contrairement aux énergies fossiles (pétrole, gaz et charbon), l’hydrogène n’est pas une énergie primaire mais un « vecteur énergétique » qui, comme l’électricité, est produit à partir d’une autre source d’énergie. Il présente l’avantage de posséder des propriétés énergétiques remarquables mais, du fait de son extrême légèreté, nécessite des conditions de stockage, de transport et de distribution complexes - température extrêmement basse (-253°C) ou compression à très haute pression (700 bars). L’hydrogène est qualifié de gris quand il est extrait à partir de combustibles fossiles (donc avec émission de gaz à effet de serre), principalement du gaz naturel, sous l’action de vapeur d’eau surchauffée (vaporeformage). A l’inverse, il est qualifié de vert quand il est produit par électrolyse de l’eau, via un électrolyseur, si l’électricité employée dans cette opération est elle-même exclusivement d’origine renouvelable (installation solaire, éolienne ou hydroélectrique).
Source www.revolution-energétique.com
A propos de Corstyrène :
Le groupe Corstyrène, qui fêtera ses 50 ans en juin de cette année, est devenu, grâce à sa branche polystyrène, un des principaux acteurs industriels de la région Corse, ainsi qu’un leader de l’isolation thermique de l’habitat en France (1400 t de matériaux produits annuellement). Le groupe, qui emploie 125 personnes et possède également plusieurs filiales en Italie, a su créer des partenariats ainsi que des relais avec d’autres grands fabricants, afin de mettre au service de la filière bâtiment, une offre cohérente et adaptée. Il dispose de deux sites logistiques continentaux, Signes (83) et Loriol (84), où sont stockés les références standards, afin d’offrir aux clients des délais de disponibilité les plus réduits possibles
A propos de STILL
STILL est un des leaders mondiaux dans le domaine des appareils de manutention. Avec plus de 9000 collaborateurs, la marque est présente partout dans le monde au travers de ses 230 points de vente. En France, où sont employées 800 personnes, STILL dispose de 15 agences et 30 partenaires répartis sur l’ensemble du territoire national. STILL appartient au groupe KION qui est leader sur le marché européen des chariots élévateurs et emploie plus de 30.000 personnes dans le monde.
They haven't announced a date yet, but etrade says it should be about 3/16. They expect them to lose 10 cents on revenues of $4.0 million.
I expect them to beat expectations.
Fwiw, I think you timed that well.
Interesting fact: Each 1.0 unit of air contains .00041 of carbon dioxide.
Imagine how much air needs to be processed to pull a ton of CO2 out of it.