The new EFOY Pro Series from SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG 100% reliable power for remote industrial applications

  • Major cost savings with EFOY Pro Series
  • Ideal for outdoor use; weatherproof, maintenance-free
  • Enables weeks of unattended off-grid operation

BRUNNTHAL, Germany - Sept, 2008 - BRUNNTHAL, Germany - Sept. 19, 2008 - Remote industrial systems ranging from surveillance cameras to measuring, monitoring and early warning systems and traffic guidance devices must function reliably 24/7, in any weather. Until now the challenge has been to ensure a reliable power supply for these systems. Today, SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG, a leading supplier of fuel cell products for mobile and off-grid power applications, introduces a silent, reliable power solution for professional users and their specific energy requirements: the new EFOY Pro Series of fuel cells.

EFOY Pro Series supplies maintenance-free, reliable off-grid power for a virtually unlimited period of time, as long as there is fuel. A 28-litre M28 fuel cartridge, for example, provides 31.1 kWh of power. That is enough to operate a 25-W surveillance camera for over 50 days without any user intervention. All EFOY Pro Series fuel cells can be ideally combined with other power sources. In these hybrid systems, the fuel cell will switches on only when additional power is needed.

Successful applications prove the cost-savings potential of the new fuel cell series. Tedas Security Solutions, NL, uses the new EFOY Pro Series for powering remote surveillance systems. 'Looking at critical missions that may involve a matter of life or death, the EFOY Pro Series has been a real problem solver for us', says Harriëtte van Kuijk of Tedas Security Solutions. 'It actually pays for itself in as little as four weeks, as the operating costs for battery-powered solutions far exceed the investment of an EFOY Pro fuel cell. For example, battery-powered systems require new batteries every two days, and that amounts to 1,000 EUR in personnel and logistic costs per week.'

The Munich North Autobahn Authorities, which use the new EFOY Pro Series fuel cells for traffic applications, cite the new product’s logistical and cost advantages for signal trailers. 'Previously, we drove out to the Autobahn every eight hours, including weekends, to exchange the signal trailers because of empty batteries', says Peter Scheidler of the Autobahn depot Munich North.'The EFOY Pro Series fuel cells enable continuous operation of the trailer for seven days without user intervention. This saves our company 108 man-hours per month, a cost advantage of almost 9,000 EUR, or 89 percent, compared to battery-powered signal trailers.'

'We have applied our extensive experience in the development, production and commercial use of fuel cells to the demanding requirements of professional users to create a specific product range for industrial applications', says Dr. Peter Podesser, CEO of Smart Fuel Cell. 'This unique product for the industrial markets provides SFC with an important growth opportunity.'

The EFOY Pro Series is available in three different models: EFOY Pro 600, EFOY Pro 1200, and EFOY Pro 1600. The series offers a charging capacity of 600 to 1600 Wh per day, depending on the individual application. Measuring 44 x 19 x 28 cm and weighing approximately 8 kg, the EFOY Pro Series fuel cell fits into any switch cabinet or vehicle. For reliable outdoor operation in any weather, SFC offers the EFOY Pro Cube. The weatherproof box features pre-installed connectors and cables for any battery and fuel cartridge size.

The EFOY Pro Series is available at all international sales partners of SFC. It is also available in a long-life version with a guaranteed lifetime of 5,000 operating hours or 30 months, offering added calculation predictability for all professional users.

About SFC AG
SFC AG (www.sfc.com) is market leader in fuel cell technologies for mobile and off-grid power applications serving the leisure, industrial and defense markets.As one of Germany’s technology pioneers, SFC has won numerous innovation awards.SFC has alliances with leading companies in a wide range of industries.Unlike most other fuel cell manufacturers, who are in the research and development phase or run subsidized demonstration projects, SFC has shipped more than 9,000 fully commercial products to industrial and private end users for four years, and has created a convenient fuel cartridge supply infrastructure. SFC is DIN ISO 9001:2000 certified.

SFC Press Contact:
Ulrike Schramm
Public Relations Manager
SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG
Eugen-Saenger-Ring 4
D-85649 Brunnthal
Tel. +49 89 673 592-379
Fax. +49 89 673 592-369
Email: ulrike.schramm@sfc.com
Web: www.sfc.com

SFC Investor Relations Contact:
Barbara von Frankenberg
Investor Relations Manager
SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG
Eugen-Saenger-Ring 4
D-85649 Brunnthal
Tel. +49 89 673 592-378
Fax. +49 89 673 592-369
Email: barbara.frankenberg@sfc.com
Web: www.sfc.com