McPhy Energy to Supply Solid Hydrogen Storage Solution to Iwatani Corporation, Japan's Market Leader

International Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Expo, TOKYO, March 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- McPhy Energy, a leader in solid hydrogen storage technology, has announced that the company has signed a contract with the Iwatani Corporation, Japan's leading supplier of hydrogen in terms of market share, to supply a 4 kilogram solid hydrogen storage solution. Because the hydrogen is stored as a solid in the form of magnesium hydrides, the McPhy system does not require compression. This results in an innovative solution for safe, reversible hydrogen storage, with excellent energy efficiency.

McPhy will install a complete system for industrial hydrogen storage at an Iwatani facility in Japan. The contract was signed just one year after the two companies first met at the 2010 International Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Expo in Tokyo. Over the past year, Iwatani experts have evaluated the McPhy system, visiting installations at the French national CNRS and CEA research institutions.

"By supplying hydrogen safely, cheaply and reliably, Iwatani is taking a lead in Japan's quest for a hydrogen-driven society," says Iwatani staff in the hydrogen business. "The McPhy solid hydrogen storage solution offers a compelling solution to key challenges of this business."

"McPhy Energy is honored that Japan's hydrogen leader, Iwatani Corporation, has chosen our solid hydrogen storage system for further evaluation," says Pascal Mauberger, CEO of McPhy Energy. "This marks our first foray into the dynamic and all-important Japanese hydrogen market, and a significant milestone in our strategy of working with industrial leaders in the most promising markets."

McPhy Energy will exhibit at FC EXPO 2011 - 7th International Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Expo, in the Device/Material Zone of the Tokyo Big Sight, March 2 - 4, 2011 in Tokyo, Japan.

About McPhy Energy

McPhy Energy was created in 2008, with the mission to industrialize and commercialize an innovative solid hydrogen storage technology using magnesium hydrides, which offers unique advantages compared to other hydrogen storage solutions. The technology addresses the merchant hydrogen and renewable energy markets. McPhy owns exclusive rights on a portfolio of unique patents, which results from over 8 years of research at the CNRS and CEA, in partnership with Joseph Fourier University. A member of the TENERRDIS cluster, McPhy Energy is involved as a partner or a subcontractor in several research projects. For further information, see http://www.mcphy.com.

About Iwatani Corporation

Established in 1930, Iwatani has been growing domestically as well as overseas in the variety of business fields such as Energy, Industrial Gas, Electronics & Machinery, Material and Agri-Bio & Foods.

With "Gas & Energy" as Corporate concept, Iwatani has particularly been focusing on distribution of LPG, LNG and hydrogen to the market. http://www.iwatani.co.jp/eng/index.php