IdaTech Delivers First Fuel Cell System to BonnevillePower Administration; Delivery Marks the...

Business Editors

BEND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 9, 2000

IdaTech, a leading innovator in fuel cell system technology, today delivered the first of 110 fuel cell system units slated for sale to Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Energy.

"The delivery of this unit, which generates six kilowatts of combined heat and electricity, takes our vision to supply the world with a clean, efficient and flexible energy source another step closer to reality," stated IdaTech president and co-founder, Alan Guggenheim. "We believe that the commercialization of fuel cell systems will accelerate as we continue to showcase the potential of this new energy source."

After making any necessary adjustments to the first 10 "alpha" units installed and tested by BPA, IdaTech will implement improvements and commence shipments of the remaining 100 "beta" units in late 2000. The $3.5 million dollar contract with BPA, which includes a 50% cost-sharing arrangement with BPA customers, is part of a testing and development phase to commercialize fuel cell systems for home and small commercial applications by 2003.

"We are pleased to have achieved this significant milestone for BPA's Fuel Cell Development Program," said Mark Jackson, fuel cell development manager for the Bonneville Power Administration. "We are working hard to bring new distributed power options to our customers, and IdaTech's fuel cell systems will offer a flexible and effective energy alternative," Jackson said.

Fuel Cell Systems: The future of alternative power generation

Fuel cell systems offer a clean, efficient and flexible alternative to power generated by traditional power plants and distributed via the power grid. Fuel cell technology is environmentally friendly and highly efficient. It significantly reduces carbon dioxide and other hazardous emissions, and its byproducts, water and heat, can be captured to achieve overall energy efficiency of 80% and higher, compared to 10-15% efficiency from traditional generators. Additionally, fuel cell systems are remarkably quiet, thus reducing noise pollution.

About IdaTech

Founded in 1996 in Bend, Ore., IdaTech is committed to becoming the global leader in the development, manufacturing and sale of fuel cell components and systems with up to 10 kilowatts in generating power. The cornerstone of IdaTech's technology is its patented fuel processor, which converts conventional hydrocarbon fuels, such as methanol, natural gas and propane, into pure hydrogen. The IdaTech fuel cell then transforms that hydrogen into electricity to support residential power needs, consumer applications, and retail and commercial uses, especially UPS (uninterruptible power supply) and reliable power.

IdaTech, LLC is majority owned by IDACORP Technologies, the clean-energy subsidiary of Boise-based IDACORP (NYSE:IDA). For more information, please visit www.idatech.com.