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ZBB Energy Corporation Will Provide Energy Storage for Solar Power Project With Envision Solar

Posted on: Thursday, 24 July 2008, 09:01 CDT

MILWAUKEE, July 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ZBB Energy Corporation has announced today that it has executed a memorandum of understanding with Envision Solar International to provide energy storage systems as part of the "LifeVillage(TM)" solar project in Cote d'Ivoire on the west coast of Africa.

LifeVillage(TM) will incorporate ZBB's energy storage system along with roof mounted photovoltaic panels designed to provide a reliable source of electric power to remote areas. The system is a complete modularized solution that is durable and long-lasting, deployable via truck to virtually anywhere on the continent.

The prototype for the LifeVillage(TM) project is scheduled to be completed by ZBB and Envision by the beginning of October. The prototype will be built and initially demonstrated in the United States and then shipped to Cote d'Ivoire. Based on the success of the prototype, the two companies plan to establish remote area village power systems throughout west and central Africa.

ZBB Energy Corporation will provide renewable energy storage for the project, using its ZESS 50(TM) zinc energy storage system. The ZESS 50(TM) is a regenerative fuel cell-type storage system that provides technical performance at a lower overall cost than other energy storage systems such as those using lead-acid, nickel cadmium, vanadium, and others.

ZBB CEO Robert Parry said LifeVillage(TM) is a great example of how ZBB's energy storage can be deployed with renewable power systems, and will provide an opportunity for West African nations to create jobs, educate citizens and solve socio-economic issues by providing electricity to areas that either do not have access or are subject to severe power outages. The solar plus storage solution provided by the joint product capabilities of both Envision Solar and ZBB Energy make for a unique, highly replicable remote area power system that is totally renewable energy.

"LifeVillage(TM) promises to be a major advancement for remote areas without access to any adequate power," Parry said. "Since the ZESS 50(TM) is compatible with alternative energy sources such as solar, it is the perfect energy storage system for this project.

Bill Adelson, Chief Technology Officer of Envision Solar, commented, "we designed this system as a comprehensive integrated solution to bring energy to rural parts of French West Africa. The LifeVillage(TM) units will contain classroom settings and medical clinics as well as housing for teachers and doctors in remote locations. The LifeVillage(TM) units can be assembled and deployed within two weeks of arrival at each location."

Bill Mundell, a Director of ZBB and a key advisor on west and central Africa said the project is an important new approach to providing energy to remote areas.

"African poverty in plight rather than opportunity dominates western headlines. The reality is that the commodity boom over the last five years created savings and receipts of a middle class across many African countries," Mundell said. "With LifeVillage, Africa is now in the position to effectively leap frog the carbon economy."

The ZESS 50(TM) is also the renewable energy storage system that is being used at the Future House USA exhibit at the Beijing Olympics.

About ZBB Energy

ZBB Energy Corporation provides clean energy storage solutions based on proprietary zinc rechargeable energy storage technology that addresses requirements in multiple markets such as alternative energy applications, large electrical utilities and green residential and commercial architecture. A developer and manufacturer of its modular, transportable and environmentally friendly Zinc Energy Storage Systems ("ZESS"), ZBB Energy was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Wisconsin with offices located in Perth, Australia.

About Envision Solar International, Inc.

Envision Solar International, Inc., based in La Jolla, CA, is a privately held, solar integrated building system developer. Envision Solar was founded by a group of visionary architects, builders and engineers with a mission to provide aesthetically pleasing photovoltaic systems to increase the worldwide use of renewable energy. Envision Solar International provides a range of financing options that take advantage of federal and regional tax incentives.

About SMH Market & Liquidity Services

SMH MLS LLC is an unregulated affiliate of SMH Capital Inc. member FINRA/SBIC and is a subsidiary of Sanders Morris Harris Group Inc. . SMH Market & Liquidity Services group provides high growth middle market companies with creative solutions to increase exposure to potential investors.

Safe Harbor

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including the description of the company and its product offering, are forward-looking statements within the "safe harbor" provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risk and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including historical volatility and low trading volume of our stock, the risk and uncertainties inherent in the early stages of growth companies, the company's need to raise substantial additional capital to proceed with its business, risks associated with competitors, and other risks detailed from time to time in the company's most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. The company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

ZBB Energy Corporation

CONTACT: Robert Parry, Chief Executive Officer of ZBB Energy Inc.,+1-262-253-9800; and Joanne Verkuilen of SMH Market & Liquidity Services,+1-212-893-1122, for ZBB Energy Corporation

Source: PRNewswire-FirstCall

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