APC Announces Next Generation Fuel Cell Product for Data Centers

Next Generation Fuel Cell Extended Run Product Offers Lower Operating Costs, Increased Reliability, and Extended Runtime Capabilities, While Lessening Maintenance, Environmental Impact, and Space Requirements

APC by Schneider Electric, a global leader in integrated critical power and cooling services, today announced its next generation Fuel Cell Extended Run (FCXR) product that provides hydrogen-based, environmentally friendly backup power for the company's InfraStruXure® data center solution. APC, part of global energy management specialist Schneider Electric, is committed to providing its customers with highly efficient, green backup power solutions to meet the need for clean and reliable extended run options in network critical applications. InfraStruXure fully integrates power, cooling, environmental monitoring and management in a rack-optimized design. This on-demand architecture allows the selection of standardized components to create a solution through modular and mobile configurations.

APC's next generation FCXR, which produces emission free electrical backup power using air and stored hydrogen, is available in 10 kW increments up to 30 kW contained in a single 19-inch rack. Developed in collaboration with Hydrogenics Corporation, the FCXR uses Hydrogenics' HyPM XR Fuel Cell Power Modules. The FCXR supports APC's 3-Phase Symmetra PX product line for uninterruptible power and adds a new dimension for extended backup time to APC's InfraStruXure architecture.

The FCXR offers a lower total cost of ownership for runtime requirements greater than two hours in this power range when compared to lead acid batteries. Additionally, this solution is ideal for customers with space constraints or for companies that cannot operate a diesel generator due to noise or emissions concerns.

"APC's next generation fuel cell backup product represents one of the first commercial uses of fuel cell technology for data center environments," said John DiPippo, senior vice president, APC Data Center Solutions, Software and Services. "The next generation FCXR incorporates key improvements based on the successful commercial trials of our earlier fuel cell solution deployed during the past two years. We believe APC's new fuel cell product provides the right combination of power capacity and innovative hydrogen-based technology to meet market demand."

The combined expertise of APC and Hydrogenics helped create an extended run solution that offers customers the following:

--  Zero Emissions: The only by-products during the electrical conversion
    of hydrogen and oxygen are heat and water.
--  Flexible Runtime Options: The available run time can easily be varied
    by changing the number of hydrogen bottles stored.
--  High Reliability: Installed close to the load, the FCXR is a pre-
    engineered, mechanically simple system with few moving parts consistent
    with the principles of the InfraStruXure architecture.  Additionally, the
    FCXR connects directly to the DC input on the Symmetra PX eliminating the
    need of an auto-transfer switch.
--  Small Footprint: The indoor installation of this high power density
    solution fits in the footprint of a standard IT rack.
--  Scalability: Scale onsite from one to three 10 kW fuel cell power
    modules in a standard InfraStruXure rack.
--  Easy to Maintain: The FCXR has a very simple basic maintenance
    schedule.
    

The FCXR will be available in select regions in the fourth quarter of 2008. For more information about the FCXR please email FuelCellInquiries@apcc.com. For more information about InfraStruXure and APC's other products, please visit www.apc.com or call 800-877-4080.

About APC

APC by Schneider Electric, a global leader in critical power and cooling services, provides industry leading product, software and systems for home, office, data center and factory floor applications. Backed by the strength, experience, and wide network of Schneider Electric's Critical Power & Cooling Services, APC delivers well planned, flawlessly installed and maintained solutions throughout their lifecycle. Through its unparalleled commitment to innovation, APC delivers pioneering, energy efficient solutions for critical technology and industrial applications. In 2007, Schneider Electric acquired APC and combined it with MGE UPS Systems to form Schneider Electric's Critical Power & Cooling Services Business Unit, which recorded 2007 revenue of $3.5 billion (EUR 2.4 billion) and employed 12,000 people worldwide. APC solutions include uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), precision cooling units, racks, physical security and design and management software, including APC's InfraStruXure® architecture the industry's most comprehensive integrated power, cooling, and management solution. Schneider Electric, with 120,000 employees and operations in 102 countries, had 2007 annual sales of $25 billion (EUR 17.3 billion). For more information on APC, please visit www.apc.com. All trademarks are the property of their owners.

About Hydrogenics

Hydrogenics Corporation (www.hydrogenics.com) is a globally recognized developer and provider of hydrogen generation and fuel cell products and services, serving the growing industrial and clean energy markets of today and tomorrow. Based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, Hydrogenics has operations in North America, Europe and Asia.

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