AFC Energy Plc POWER-UP Update - May 2015 (9862M)
May 13 2015 - 2:00AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMAFC
RNS Number : 9862M
AFC Energy Plc
13 May 2015
13 May 2015
AFC Energy PLC
("AFC" or the "Company")
POWER-UP Update - May 2015
AFC Energy plc (AFC.L), the industrial fuel cell power company,
is pleased to provide an update on progress towards delivery of the
Company's first 240kW KORE system at Air Products' Stade facility
in Germany.
Highlights
-- POWER-UP schedule remains on track for initial power production in July 2015
-- Successful completion of KORE HAZOP review
-- Successful completion of initial HAZOP review of KORE
buildings, utilities and facilities, follow up actions underway
-- Successful completion of explosion protection study of KORE in Germany
-- Concluding phases of final building permit
-- Deep foundations and site preparation works completed on site
-- KORE construction ongoing with completion expected in time for July 2015 start up at Stade
Significant developments over the past few months include:
-- Following a process hazard assessment of the KORE fuel cell
module design using the Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) methodology,
the KORE has passed a further independent and rigorous examination
of its design safety functions. This is a significant step in the
design validation of AFC Energy's fuel cell technology and builds
upon the HAZOP undertaken previously by Foster Wheeler in October
2013. The HAZOP review was organised and moderated by leading
German process engineering consultancy plantIng GmbH, with the
support of AFC, the consultancy firm Efficientics and industrial
gas partner Air Products plc. It was performed in AFC Energy's
Dunsfold offices during a two day session on 25-26.03.2015. In the
HAZOP method used, the set of piping and instrumentation diagrams
(P&ID) of the KORE module were examined in small sections. Each
of these has a specified design intention. Parameters which
describe the design intent were then evaluated systematically in
order to identify deviations and evaluate their effect. During the
review, experienced process safety engineers led a
multi-disciplinary engineering team in a robust examination of all
safety aspects and functions of the KORE balance of plant and
cartridges design. The output of this process has been a HAZOP
report with clear actions and responsible parties defined to
maximise process safety. These actions have now been implemented by
AFC.
-- Following the KORE HAZOP review in March 2015, AFC
commissioned and received an explosion protection report drafted by
the German consultancy firm Efficientics according to German
industrial health and safety regulations and relevant technical
standards. This report has confirmed that the KORE system assembly
is classified as a "safe area", i.e. there is no area within the
KORE module where an explosive atmosphere may occur, i.e. an ATEX
zone. This result, in conjunction with the recent successful
conclusion of the KORE HAZOP review, establishes the inherent
safety of the KORE module design for use in an industrial
setting.
-- A further process hazard assessment of the structure and
facilities designed to house the KORE system in Stade was
undertaken using the HAZOP methodology. This subsequent review took
place in two sessions, in Cologne on 10-11.02.2015 and in Hamburg
on 28-29.04.2015 and was again led by engineering consultancy
plantIng GmbH. The results of this review again provided a positive
response to the safety accreditation of the building and facilities
designed to integrate with the KORE operations on site in Stade.
All recommendations and actions arising from the facilities HAZOP
are being addressed by AFC. This is the first time a HAZOP has been
undertaken on the facilities set to house the KORE and further
validates the robust design being adopted by AFC across the
integrated hydrogen supply, facilities, structures and KORE system
within an industrial setting.
-- In addition to the KORE module and associated facilities, a
HAZOP has also been completed regarding the Air Products hydrogen
let down station and supply pipeline to the AFC facility. Orders
have been placed for all key hydrogen supply components required
for connection to the KORE plant.
-- AFC and its advisers, Artelia and plantIng, are continuing to
work closely with local regulatory authorities on the final
building permit for the Stade facility. We are confident this
process is drawing towards a successful conclusion over the coming
weeks and will provide the basis for construction of the remaining
aspects of the Stade facility necessary to house the KORE system
and associated utilities and infrastructure.
-- Work has now been completed with regards the deep foundations
of the facilities that will house the KORE system. This work has
been completed to schedule and to budget. Final activities are now
being concluded with regards the shallower foundations for the
plant; these are expected to be completed over the coming
weeks.
-- The KORE module itself continues to be developed and
constructed in Coventry, UK, and is on target for completion in
time to allow commencement of operations at Stade in July 2015.
In summary, the POWER-UP schedule of works continues in
accordance with the schedule outlined in AFC's RNS dated 8 December
2014, with commencement of operation still anticipated in July
2015.
Mr Adam Bond, AFC's Chief Executive Officer, said: "We continue
to make great progress towards the successful deployment of AFC's
first KORE system in Germany in the second half of this year. The
challenging target set in fast tracking the deployment timetable by
18 months, and having the KORE delivered and operational by July
2015, has to date proven deliverable and we continue to wait in
anticipation of a successful demonstration of the KORE system in
July."
For further information, please contact:
AFC Energy plc
Adam Bond (Chief Executive Officer) +44 (0) 20 3697 1209
Zeus Capital Limited - Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker
John Treacy, Phil Walker
Alex Davies, John Goold +44 (0) 20 7533 7727
M C Peat & Co LLP - Joint Broker
Charlie Peat +44 (0) 20 7104 2334
Lionsgate Communications - Public Relations
Jonathan Charles, Rachel Rigby +44 (0) 20 3697 1209
About AFC Energy
AFC Energy plc is in the process of commercialising its proven
low-cost alkaline fuel cell system, which converts hydrogen into
'clean' electricity. AFC's key project POWER-UP will demonstrate
the world's largest alkaline fuel cell system at Air Products'
industrial gas plant in Stade, Germany. The date for the
demonstration of the 240kW "KORE" system has been fast tracked to
December 2015, representing the final phase of AFC's
pre-commercialisation technical development programme and creating
the platform for the Company's global commercial fuel cell
deployment. AFC has also recently announced the development of
projects in Asia and the Middle East. For further information,
please visit our website: www.afcenergy.com
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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