Delphi and Peterbilt Successfully Power Truck Cab and Sleeper With Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Auxiliary Power Unit
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DENTON, TX, Jul 22 (MARKET WIRE) --
Delphi Corporation (PINKSHEETS: DPHIQ) and Peterbilt Motors Company
successfully demonstrated a Delphi solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) auxiliary
power unit (APU) powering a Peterbilt Model 386 truck's "hotel" loads.
During recent testing at Peterbilt's Texas headquarters, the Delphi SOFC
provided power for the Model 386's electrical system and air conditioning
and maintained the truck's batteries -- all while the Model 386's diesel
engine was turned off.
This demonstration, held in June, leveraged development supported by the
U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
and Fossil Energy Solid State Energy's Conversion Alliance (SECA) program.
Delphi's SOFC technology directly addresses increasingly stringent
anti-idling legislation and other proposals addressing commercial truck
emissions, noise and fuel consumption.
Delphi's SOFC converts chemical energy in conventional fuels directly into
useful electrical power without combustion. A SOFC operates quietly and at
a higher efficiency level than traditional internal combustion engines. By
limiting idling time and running a SOFC instead of the main engine,
emissions are reduced, noise is nearly eliminated, and operators realize
significant fuel savings.
The new Delphi technology will have the capability of using a variety of
fuels, including natural gas, diesel, bio-diesel, propane, gasoline,
coal-derived fuel and military logistics fuel. In addition to its fuel
flexibility, the SOFC will be compact in size.
The Peterbilt/Delphi test replicated a typical trucker's day to evaluate
the real-world usefulness and capacity of the SOFC:
-- To begin, the SOFC APU was brought to operating temperature with the
truck's main engine running. This simulated starting the SOFC APU during
normal, on-road driving conditions.
-- Once the SOFC APU was at temperature and available to provide power,
the Model 386's main engine was turned off, simulating the beginning of a
rest period.
-- During the rest period, the SOFC APU powered the 386's electrical
loads, including the electric air-conditioner, radio, citizens band radio,
and lights. It also charged the truck's battery.
-- After 10 hours (representing running overnight) the Model 386's main
engine was restarted to simulate the driver beginning his drive for the
next day.
Throughout the test, the SOFC APU provided an average of 800 watts of
electricity to the Peterbilt Model 386.
"The Delphi SOFC passed this test, standing up to the demands of a typical
truck-driver's day," said Mary Gustanski, Delphi Powertrain Systems
director of Engineering. "We are encouraged by the performance of the
demonstration, especially given the 95-degree-F Texas heat. Additionally,
we thank everyone at Peterbilt for participating in this evaluation and
for echoing our enthusiasm for the further development of eco-friendly
solutions."
"The SOFC system provides a technologically-advanced solution to meet
anti-idle requirements while surpassing expectations for reduced
emissions, noise and fuel consumption," said Landon Sproull, Peterbilt
Chief Engineer. "This system has the potential to revolutionize future
APUs by setting new benchmarks for performance and ease of operation with
no adverse effects on the environment."
The Peterbilt Model 386 was chosen as the test bed for the SOFC due to its
aerodynamic and fuel-efficient performance. It merges conventional
Peterbilt styling with leading aerodynamic design and has been recognized
as fuel efficient and environmentally friendly by the EPA's SmartWay
program.
ABOUT DELPHI
Delphi Corp. (PINKSHEETS: DPHIQ) is a leading global supplier of mobile
electronics and transportation systems, including powertrain, safety,
steering, thermal, and controls & security systems, electrical/electronic
architecture, and in-car entertainment technologies. Engineered to meet
and exceed the rigorous standards of the automotive industry, Delphi
technology is also found in computing, communications, consumer
electronics, energy and medical applications. Headquartered in Troy,
Mich., Delphi has approximately 163,500 employees and operates 152 wholly
owned manufacturing sites in 34 countries with sales of $22.3 billion in
2007. Delphi can be found on the Internet at www.delphi.com.
ABOUT PETERBILT
Peterbilt Motors Company, a division of PACCAR Inc (NASDAQ: PCAR),
manufactures premium quality trucks for a wide range of markets, including
over-the-road, construction, municipal and medium duty. Based in Denton,
Texas, Peterbilt combines classic styling, innovative design and
superior-quality features in a custom-engineered truck that stands as the
"Class" of the industry. Through its 240-plus North American dealer
locations, Peterbilt also provides a comprehensive array of TruckCare(R)
aftermarket support programs, including preventive maintenance plans,
expedited QuickCare services, automated parts inventory replenishment and
24/7 complimentary Customer Assistance through 1-800-4-Peterbilt. For more
information about Peterbilt, visit www.peterbilt.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release as well as other statements made by Delphi may contain
forward-looking statements that reflect, when made, the Company's current
views with respect to current events and financial performance. Such
forward-looking statements are and will be, as the case may be, subject to
many risks, uncertainties and factors relating to the Company's operations
and business environment which may cause the actual results of the Company
to be materially different from any future results, express or implied, by
such forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify these
statements by forward-looking words such as "may," "might," "will,"
"should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates,"
"predicts," "potential" or "continue," the negative of these terms and
other comparable terminology. Factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are
not limited to, the following: the ability of the Company to continue as a
going concern; the ability of the Company to operate pursuant to the terms
of the debtor-in-possession financing facility and its advance agreement
with GM, to obtain an extension of term or other amendments as necessary
to maintain access to such facility and advance agreement; the Company's
ability to obtain Court approval with respect to motions in the chapter 11
cases prosecuted by it from time to time; the ability of the Company to
consummate its amended plan of reorganization which was confirmed by the
Court on January 25, 2008 or any other subsequently confirmed plan of
reorganization; risks associated with third parties seeking and obtaining
Court approval to terminate or shorten the exclusivity period for the
Company to propose and confirm one or more plans of reorganization, for
the appointment of a chapter 11 trustee or to convert the cases to
chapter 7 cases; the ability of the Company to obtain and maintain normal
terms with vendors and service providers; the Company's ability to
maintain contracts that are critical to its operations; the potential
adverse impact of the chapter 11 cases on the Company's liquidity or
results of operations; the ability of the Company to fund and execute its
business plan (including the transformation plan described in Item 1.
Business "Plan of Reorganization and Transformation Plan" of the Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 filed with the
SEC) and to do so in a timely manner; the ability of the Company to
attract, motivate and/or retain key executives and associates; the
ability of the Company to avoid or continue to operate during a strike,
or partial work stoppage or slow down by any of its unionized employees
or those of its principal customers and the ability of the Company to
attract and retain customers. Additional factors that could affect future
results are identified in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2007 filed with the SEC, including the risk factors in
Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors, contained therein. Delphi disclaims any
intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events and/or
otherwise. Similarly, these and other factors, including the terms of any
reorganization plan ultimately confirmed, can affect the value of the
Company's various prepetition liabilities, common stock and/or other
equity securities.
Press contact:
John Wray
248.732-0614
Email Contact
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