Renault and Nuvera present progress in their research into fuel cells at the 16th World Hydrogen Energy Conference.

LYONS, FRANCE, June 13, 2006 – Renault and Nuvera Fuel Cells will be presenting the progress they have made in fuel cell research at the 16th World Hydrogen Energy Conference in Lyons, France between June 13 and 16, 2006. The exhibits will illustrate Renault's decision to opt for vehicles powered by fuel cells with reformers in order to supply hydrogen energy to the automobile. This technology directly produces the hydrogen on demand and on board the vehicle, solving the problem of very high-pressure or cryogenic storage. Since 2002, Renault, Nissan and Nuvera Fuel Cells have been working together on this solution, which can be used immediately, without waiting for a hydrogen distribution network to be established.

There will be four exhibits at the show:

- The reformer, which transforms the liquid fuel into reformate, a hydrogen-rich gas that can be used to supply the fuel cell. The process has six distinct stages. First, the cracking phase breaks down the long hydrocarbon molecule chains into simpler molecules: hydrogen, water, carbon, etc. In the next five stages, the gas is purified until it is ready for use with the fuel cell.

- The fuel cell, which generates electric power by combining hydrogen and oxygen. The only by-product of this electro-chemical reaction is water, which is then returned in a closed circuit to the reformer that needs water to operate. The water produced by the fuel cell is re-injected into the system.

- The electric power generated by the fuel cell is transformed to the appropriate voltage by the power electronics and then drives the electric motor.

- A multiple-fuel tank. Since the reformer can run on petrol, diesel and ethanol, a special fuel tank has been designed that can contain the different types of fuel. This option was chosen to reduce concerns about the future availability of hydrocarbons. It also means that motorists can choose the cheapest available type of fuel.

When Renault announced its "Renault Commitment 2009" on February 9, 2006, it confirmed that the group was preparing a broad range of alternative technologies, of which the fuel cell is just one part. In France, Renault plans to test vehicles powered by fuel cells based on advanced Alliance technology.

Nuvera Fuel Cells is a global leader in the development and advancement of multi-fuel processing and fuel cell technology committed to providing clean, safe and efficient power solutions. With offices located in Italy and the USA, Nuvera is committed to advancing the commercialization of hydrogen fuel cell power modules for industrial vehicles, equipment and stationary applications, natural gas fuel cell power systems for cogeneration applications, and on-board gasoline fuel processors and fuel cell stacks for automotive applications. Nuvera Fuel Cells Europe is ISO 9001:2000 certified for “Research, Development, Design, Production and Servicing of Fuel Cell Stacks and Fuel Cell Systems.”

Renault is an international automaker that has acquired a global reach through its Alliance with Nissan and acquisitions of Romanian car manufacturer, Dacia, and South Korea's Samsung Motors. Renault pursues a strategy of profitable and responsible growth with its innovative, quality range of vehicles and services. For nearly 50 years, Renault has made safety a pillar of its strategy. Today it boasts the safest line-up in Europe – it has five cars with five stars in Euro NCAP crash tests. Worldwide, Renault employs 130,740 people. It sold 2,389,000 vehicles in 2003, recording revenues of €37.5 billion and a net income of €2.48 billion.


Contact
Danielle Andre
Marketing Communications Coordinator
Nuvera Fuel Cells
Tel: +1-617-245-7571
Fax: +1-617-245-7511
Email: DAndre@nuvera.com