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FuelCell Energy's Ultra-Clean, High Efficiency DFC300MA Power Plant Receives U.S. Fuel Cell Certification From CSA International

Posted on: Monday, 28 November 2005, 09:00 CST

Certification-related features help open markets to fuel cell power plants by reducing time and expense involved in delivering and installing units

FuelCell Energy, Inc. (NasdaqNM:FCEL), a leading manufacturer of ultra-clean and efficient electric power generation plants for commercial and industrial customers, today announced that its modular sub-megawatt Direct FuelCell(R) (DFC(R)) power plant has been certified to meet the ANSI/CSA America FC1-2004 Stationary Fuel Cell Power Standard by CSA International (CSA), a world-leading certification and testing for products such as stationary fuel cell power plants.

Certification of the DFC 300MA fuel cell encompasses features emanating from FuelCell Energy's cost-out program. These improvements -- aimed at simplifying installation and maintenance of the units while reducing the cost and expense in transporting them -- effectively broaden the market opportunity for fuel cells by improving their economics.

The DFC 300MA power plant was introduced in June 2005, bringing to market in product form the company's 2004 initiatives to reduce the units' capital costs and ongoing maintenance expenses by 20-25 percent a year. Key among plans to lower initial capital costs were substitution of a standard ISO ship container (replacing a custom-made enclosure) and reduction of total parts count by 10 percent.. The mechanical balance of plant, electronic balance of plant and DFC modules, all housed on separate skids, are streamlined for post-sale servicing thanks to their more accessible components.

"Our cost-out program extends beyond managing a customer's initial capital costs," said R. Daniel Brdar, FuelCell Energy's President and COO. "We've focused just as hard on reducing delivery, installation and operating expenses. CSA certification helps underscore our achievement in these areas."

Fuel Cell Energy's DFC300A self-contained commercial stationary power plant and its DFC1500 power plants consisting of power generation and plant skids which provide high quality commercial grade base load power have previously been certified by CSA.

"FuelCell Energy's DFC300MA is the third fuel cell power plant to meet the requirements of the ANSI/CSA America FC1 standard," said Randall W. Luecke, President, CSA International. "CSA International is the leader in certification and testing of new fuel cell technologies in North America and we are committed to enhancing service offerings for our clients in the advancement of green power technologies, such as fuel cells, that may help address climate change issues."

The DFC300MA contains the same power conditioning unit of the DFC300A that converts DC power into AC and as such remains certified to Rule 21 Interconnection standards in California. The company has submitted the necessary paperwork for certification to the California Air Resources Board stringent distributed generation emissions standards for 2007. That application currently is being reviewed, and approval is expected by the end of calendar year 2005.

About CSA International

CSA International is a provider of product testing and certification services for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, gas and a variety of other products. Recognized in the U.S., Canada and around the world, CSA's marks appear on billions of products worldwide. CSA International is a division of CSA Group, which also includes CSA, a developer of standards and codes, and QMI, a leading North American management systems registrar. CSA International can be found online at www.csa-international.org

About FuelCell Energy

FuelCell Energy develops and markets ultra-clean power plants that generate electricity with up to twice the efficiency of conventional fossil fuel plants and with virtually no air pollution. Fuel cells produce base load electricity giving commercial and industrial customers greater control over their power generation economics, reliability and emissions. Emerging state, federal and international regulations to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions consider fuel cell power plants in the same environmentally friendly category as wind and solar energy sources -- with the added advantages of running 24 hours a day and the capacity to be installed where wind turbines or solar panels often cannot. Headquartered in Danbury, Conn., FuelCell Energy services over 40 power plant sites around the globe that have generated more than 78 million kilowatt hours, and conducts R&D on next-generation fuel cell technologies to meet the world's ever-increasing demand for ultra-clean distributed energy. For more information on the company, its products and its worldwide commercial distribution alliances, please see www.fuelcellenergy.com.

Direct FuelCell, DFC and DFC/Turbine are registered trademarks of FuelCell Energy, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. The Company's sub-megawatt DFC fuel cell power plant is a collaborative effort combining its Direct FuelCell technology with a Hot Module(R) balance of plant design from MTU CFC Solutions, GmbH, a subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler.

This news release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the Company's plans and expectations regarding the development and commercialization of its fuel cell technology. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Factors that could cause such a difference include, without limitation, the risk that commercial field trials of the Company's products will not occur when anticipated, general risks associated with product development, manufacturing, changes in the utility regulatory environment, potential volatility of energy prices, rapid technological change, and competition, as well as other risks set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statement to reflect any change in the Company's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Source: Business Wire

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