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U.S. Missile Defense Agency Awards $1.25 Million Contract to Proton Energy Systems for Regenerative Fuel Cell Research

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/10-11-2006/0004449963&...


U.S. Missile Defense Agency Awards $1.25 Million Contract to Proton Energy Systems for Regenerative Fuel Cell Research


Regenerative Fuel Cell Study Aims at Greater Efficiency, Reduced Weight

WALLINGFORD, Conn., Oct. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Proton Energy
Systems, a leader in hydrogen generation and fuel cell technology and
products, and a subsidiary of Wallingford, CT-based Distributed Energy
Systems Corp. (Nasdaq: DESC), announced today that it has been awarded a
$1.25 million follow-on contract from the U.S. Missile Defense Agency
(MDA). The Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase III contract
calls for continued development of regenerative fuel cell technology for
high altitude airships.
The research project is part of a Department of Defense initiative to
develop a lighter-than-air, high-altitude airship Advanced Concept
Technology Demonstration (ACTD) prototype. According to the Missile Defense
Agency, this ACTD plans to demonstrate the engineering feasibility and
potential utility of an unmanned, untethered, gas-filled, solar-powered
airship that can fly at 70,000 ft.
Research will proceed during a one-year period designed to test the
efficiency and performance of Proton's hydrogen-generating "core stack." In
addition, its proton exchange membrane (PEM) stack technology will be
monitored closely as it is scaled up to the size required for high-altitude
airship deployment.
"By working with the MDA on the high-altitude airship application,
Proton will be better able to advance its expertise in regenerative fuel
cell technology for this and many other government and commercial
applications," said Rob Friedland, senior vice president and head of the
Hydrogen Technology Group. "In addition, all of us at Proton are grateful
to Senators Chris Dodd and Joe Lieberman for their strong support of this
important technology program."
The proton exchange membrane electrolysis technology developed by
Proton produces energy by converting water into hydrogen and oxygen to
power the airship. This PEM reaction happens in a controlled environment,
enabling Proton's regenerative fuel cell system to provide the airship with
its necessary power. This same technology is also used to provide back-up
power in the telecom industry, as well as for serving huge commercial
markets for hydrogen, including cooling power plant generators.
Approved for public release, 06-MDA-1860 (5-Sept-06)
Proton Energy's Hydrogen Technology Group (HTG) is part of Distributed
Energy Systems Corp. (NASDAQ: DESC). The Military and Aerospace Team within
HTG designs, develops, models, and builds technology solutions based on
Proton's core PEM technology. They meet the technical needs of a diverse
customer base that includes commercial aerospace partners, and civilian and
military government agencies. Please contact the Military and Aerospace
Team at 203.678.2351 and online at
http://www.protonenergy.com/company/hyd-tech.html to learn more.
About Distributed Energy Systems Corp.
Distributed Energy Systems Corp. (Nasdaq: DESC) creates and delivers
products and solutions to the emerging decentralized energy marketplace,
giving users greater control over their energy cost, quality, and
reliability. As the parent company of Proton Energy Systems, Inc.
(http://www.protonenergy.com) and Northern Power Systems, Inc., Distributed Energy
Systems delivers a combination of practical, ready-today energy solutions
and the solid business platforms for capitalizing on the changing energy
landscape. For more information, visit http://www.distributed-energy.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements for purposes of
the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. Statements contained herein that are not statements of
historical fact, including statements concerning accretion to operating
results and growth in market share, may be deemed to be forward-looking
information. Without limiting the foregoing, words such as "anticipates",
"believes", "could", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "might",
"should", "will", and "would" and other forms of these words or similar
words are intended to identify forward-looking information. Northern
Power's and Distributed Energy's actual results may differ materially from
those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various
important factors. Northern Power and Distributed Energy each disclaim any
obligation to update these forward- looking statements. Factors that could
cause results to differ materially from those contained in Northern's and
Distributed Energy's forward-looking statements include, but are not
limited to, failure of our products and systems to perform as specified or
achieve commercial acceptance, the impact of competitive products and
systems, and other factors detailed in Distributed Energy's Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended June 30, 2006, and other filings Distributed Energy may
make from time to time with the SEC.


SOURCE Distributed Energy Systems Corp.

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