Air Liquide Adds Vancouver International Airport to Canadian Hydrogen Energy Demonstration Project

MONTREAL, Nov. 18 /CNW/ - Air Liquide announces that Vancouver International Airport is the second of the two Canadian airports in its 14 million dollar hydrogen and fuel cell demonstration project, joining Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau International Airport in Montréal.

Air Liquide Canada leads this project in collaboration with Natural Resources Canada, the governments of British Columbia and Quebec, and 14 participating companies. Vancouver International Airport will deploy several hydrogen transportation technologies in shuttle buses, as well as passenger and utility vehicles provided by the Vancouver Airport Authority and Air Canada.

"We are extremely pleased to contribute to British Columbia's Hydrogen Highway initiative by showcasing our hydrogen technologies at Vancouver International Airport," said President and CEO of Air Liquide Canada, Luc Doyon. "As we near the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, this exciting demonstration program will be observed by millions of travellers coming to Vancouver for the Games and beyond. Air Liquide is privileged to have a front row seat with British Columbia to show the world how innovative fuel cell technologies and hydrogen energy can power important sectors of the Canadian economy while protecting our environment. "

"This is just another example of why British Columbia is a recognized world centre for hydrogen and fuel cell technology," said Blair Lekstrom, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. "The hydrogen fueling station complements our green highway initiative, and the hydrogen and fuel cell technologies demonstrated here are a critical part of B.C.'s and Canada's low carbon economy."

"This cutting edge technology demonstrates our Government's commitment to encouraging alternative energy sources while reducing our carbon footprint," said Alice Wong, MP for Richmond, on behalf of the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Natural Resources. "We are pleased that YVR will be one of two airports in Canada to showcase this new fuel cell technology."

Air Liquide is actively engaged in meeting energy needs and preserving our atmosphere, investing 60 percent of its R&D budget in developing technologies for sustainable development. Among these, working closely with partners in the private and public sectors, Air Liquide is developing the entire hydrogen energy supply chain, from the production, storage, distribution and safe handling of hydrogen to the development and manufacture of advanced fuel cells.

Hydrogen vector of energy

Used in a fuel cell, hydrogen combines with oxygen in the air to produce electricity with only water as a by-product.

Hydrogen can be produced from any energy source including natural gas and coal, but also from renewable energy sources. Hydrogen thus represents a fabulous potential for providing renewable, clean, silent energy, and guarantees a secure supply.

To support car manufacturers in the development of their hydrogen-powered vehicles, Air Liquide has developed fueling stations to fill fuel tanks with pressurized hydrogen up to 700 bars. These stations complete the fill up in less than five minutes and as easily and safely as for a gasoline stop. Air Liquide has already supplied nearly 40 hydrogen fueling stations throughout the world.

Air Liquide hydrogen sales in 2008 reached (euro)1.2 billion.

Air Liquide's hydrogen energy projects in North America

In British Columbia, Air Liquide is providing the fueling infrastructure and hydrogen to support BC Transit's 20 fuel cell powered buses, the world's largest such fleet. Air Liquide is also participating in numerous projects to fuel cars, buses and lift trucks in Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Ontario.

In the U.S., Air Liquide has supplied four 700-bar, portable fast-fill hydrogen fueling systems to General Motors and Shell Hydrogen in Washington, D.C., California and New York.

Air Liquide has also installed a hydrogen fueling station at Albany International Airport.

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Air Liquide is the world leader in gases for industry, health and the environment, and is present in over 75 countries with 43,000 employees. Oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen carbon dioxide and rare gases have been at the core of Air Liquide's activities since its creation in 1902. Using these molecules, Air Liquide continuously reinvents its business, anticipating the needs of current and future markets. The Group innovates to enable progress, to achieve dynamic growth and a consistent performance.

Innovative technologies that curb polluting emissions, lower industry's energy use, recover and reuse natural resources or develop the energies of tomorrow, such as hydrogen, biofuels or photovoltaic energy... Oxygen for hospitals, homecare, fighting nosocomial infections... Air Liquide combines many products and technologies to develop valuable applications and services not only for its customers but also for society.

A partner for the long term, Air Liquide relies on employee commitment, customer trust and shareholder support to pursue its vision of sustainable, competitive growth. The diversity of Air Liquide's teams, businesses, markets and geographic presence provides a solid and sustainable base for its development and strengthens its ability to push back its own limits, conquer new territories and build its future.

Air Liquide explores the best that air can offer to preserve life, staying true to its sustainable development approach. In 2008, the Group's revenues amounted to (euro)13.1 billion, of which almost 80% were earned outside France. Air Liquide is listed on the Paris Euronext stock exchange (compartment A) and is a member of the CAC 40 and Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50 indexes.

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For further information: Air Liquide Canada, Communications, Julie Brouard, [phone]