Press Release from Zenergy Power plc

Zenergy Power plc (AIM:ZEN.L), the specialist manufacturer and developer of commercial applications for high-temperature superconductive (‘HTS’) materials, is pleased to announce that it has completed the successful installation and operation of the world’s first commercial full scale HTS induction heater for Weseralu GmbH & Co. KG (‘Weseralu’) at its manufacturing facility in Minden, Germany.

The HTS induction heater is based on Zenergy’s proprietary technology and is specifically designed for heating large aluminium billets that can be manipulated when softened and shaped for innumerable products in the automotive, aerospace and machine building industries. Weseralu, which currently produces 14,000 tonnes of extruded aluminium per annum, using two conventional induction heaters, ordered the unit in late September 2007, a mere four months after the completion of its development and industrial testing, as previously announced on 22 May 2007.

The newly installed HTS induction heater is now fully operational at Weseralu and substantiates manifest and compelling economic advantages over competitor technologies.Three characteristics relating to energy and efficiency, operational simplicity, and carbon emissions are particularly noteworthy. First, conventional induction heater technologies require over 1MW of power to operate at full capacity, while Zenergy’s HTS induction heater consumes a mere 450 kW of power when functioning at full volume. This alone generates a substantial 55 per cent energy saving. Secondly, the Zenergy HTS induction heater requires less maintenance than traditional induction heaters as it does not employ copper coils that must be completely replaced several times during the lifetime of a unit. Finally, the operation of a Zenergy HTS induction heater diminishes CO2 emissions by 300 tonnes each year – the equivalent of the emissions of 150 households.

The adaptable manufacturing processes employed in Zenergy’s HTS induction heater at an operational level also present other considerable direct cost saving benefits over conventional induction heater technologies. In particular, dramatically reduced heating times and the ability of the unit to heat entire billets at a uniform temperature evince both increased output and lower rejection levels.

 

Zenergy has additionally received a second order for an HTS induction heater for copper processing and the majority of interested customers have commenced testing of their materials in the unit and are observing the deployment of the unit in an industrial environment prior to placing firm orders for units. With the first unit now on site, and with Weseralu’s permission, Zenergy can arrange for additional prospective customers to see the Group’s HTS induction heater operating at a commercial level. Zenergy is confident it is convincing metals producers to progressively implement its highly innovative HTS technology, which will enhance their production procedures both economically and ecologically.

Mr. Hagemann, owner and managing director of Weseralu, commented: “Zenergy’s HTS technology represents a quantum leap for our industry and I am delighted to be the first in the world to utilise this technology. I am confident that it will prove advantageous on an economic and ecologic basis in comparison to any existing billet heating equipment. Additionally, the HTS induction heater offers Weseralu unprecedented temperature homogeneity in our aluminium billets during the heating process in contrast to conventional technology, which will afford the company even more meaningful financial benefits through the increased productivity it generates from the considerable electricity savings we expect to enjoy from the unit.”

Dr. Jens Müller, chief executive officer of Zenergy, commented: “The successful continuous operation of the world’s first full scale commercial HTS induction heater for Weseralu represents a landmark achievement for Zenergy that we are convinced will enhance Weseralu’s reputation of delivering outstanding and high quality products to its customers. We are delighted by the implicit industrial acceptance that our technology has obtained, which has thus far been amply demonstrated by the two initial orders for our HTS induction heater, and remain determined to convert the tremendous interest we have received into firm sales of our HTS induction heater in the non-ferrous metals industry.”

For further information: Dr. Jens Müller (CEO) · Zenergy Power Plc · T +49 (2226) 9060 200

Vikki Krause · Hansard Group · T +44 (207) 245 1100

Tom Hulme · Landsbanki Securities (UK) Limited · T + 44 207 426 9000

Original article.

Tagged with: