EATONTOWN, N.J., 21 Nov. 2007.Millennium Cell Inc. and Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies are nearing completion of a beta version of a portable power generator that incorporates a water-activated cartridge system. The product will be a clean and quiet power generator for use by professionals for emergency purposes.
Horizon demonstrated the alpha product of this unit at the 2007 Combined Exhibition for Advanced Technologies (CEATEC) in Japan. System prototypes are currently being finalized and the first customer evaluations are expected to start in December 2007. The beta product will be demonstrated at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in January 2008.
The product will provide a common AC outlet and two USB connectors for low power devices to operate for more than 16 hours when the electrical grid is unavailable. Horizon and Millennium Cell plan to launch this unit after completion of safety certification in time for the 2008 hurricane and winter storm seasons. The dry cartridge offers infinite shelf-storage life and 400 Watt hours of "instant power" by just adding water. The cartridge-based power system will have a manufacturer's suggested retail price of approximately $400, making this, to our knowledge, the first fuel cell portable power generator of its kind to reach an attractive price point for consumers.
Other products have been identified as targets for development and are expected to be shipped to commercial and government customers for evaluation in 2008 and 2009.
