Apr 14 2010
Zenergy Power (AIM:ZEN.L), the superconductor energy technology company, is pleased to announce that it has successfully completed the development of the high-speed ink jet printing processes necessary for the low-cost production of its Second Generation ('2G') superconducting wire.
Combined with the recent qualification of Honeywell Speciality Materials as an industrial supplier to the Group, this achievement brings Zenergy Power to the end of the research and development of its 2G wire processes and enables it to commence industrial scaling of production once the qualification of industrial supply of metal tapes from ThyssenKrupp VDM GmbH ('ThyssenKrupp') has been completed. The Group's work with ThyssenKrupp was recently boosted by support of the German government through a funded project and it is anticipated that qualification will occur in the second half of this year.
The successful development of the Group's high-speed ink jet printing processes for 2G wire production was achieved with the support of the European Union through a funded project named EFECTS involving the cooperation of the University of Cambridge, the University of Ghent and ICMAB Barcelona. Following the completion of this project Zenergy Power is able to capture significant cost savings in the production of 2G wire through three key advances:
- First, the speed with which active chemical layers can be applied to metal substrates is significantly increased, reducing processing times and increasing output;
- Secondly, the application of chemical layers becomes far more consistent, improving overall wire quality, reducing scrap rates and leading to substantially increased production yields and lowered costs; and
- Thirdly, it becomes possible to apply consistent chemical layers onto wider metal tapes, leading to a significant increase in production volumes.
Zenergy Power is committed to reducing the cost of superconductor applications through the development of its own wire manufacturing processes which, unlike industry alternatives, allow continuous production from base chemicals and metal tapes in a roll-to-roll process. This process, when scaled, will enable the production of the industry's lowest-cost superconductor wire, which in turn will be cheaper than traditional copper wire and play a key role in promoting the adoption of superconductor-based generators by the renewable energy industry. Generators employing Zenergy Power's superconductor components are significantly smaller, lighter and more efficient than traditional 'copper-based' machines - reducing the overall cost of electricity produced from offshore wind turbines and run-of-river hydropower stations. The first of these generators built using the Group's superconductor components is due to be installed by E.ON AG later this year.