For Second Consecutive Year, Delphi and Rochester Institute of Technology Receive $2 Million+ in Federal Fuel Cell Funding

Continued commitment advancing Solid Oxide Fuel Cell technology production

ROCHESTER, NY — Delphi Corporation (Pinksheets: DPHIQ) and the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) will receive $2.4 million in federal funds for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) development. U.S. Rep. Louise M. Slaughter, D-N.Y., chairwoman of the House Rules Committee, joined Bill Destler, president of Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT); Steven Shaffer, chief engineer for Fuel Cells at Delphi; and Nabil Nasr, director of RIT’s Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies (CIMS) and Golisano Institute for Sustainability to make the announcement at RIT on Friday, March 13.

The funding was secured in the 2009 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill written by Slaughter and New York’s U.S. Senate delegation. It goes toward a joint project between Delphi and RIT to accelerate manufacturability and application of solid oxide fuel cells in the armed forces.

“I am proud to have secured federal funding to help make Rochester the world center for fuel cell research, fuel cell development, and ultimately fuel cell manufacturing,” said Congresswoman Slaughter. “I applaud Delphi and RIT on their successes to advance local fuel cell development, a mission with tremendous potential for our nation’s energy security and Rochester’s economic future.”

The project seeks to accelerate the application of solid oxide fuel cells into stationary and mobile power systems within the U.S. Department of Defense. This type of fuel cell is a highly efficient electrochemical generator that produces environmentally friendly electricity directly from currently available fuels. This work builds upon Delphi’s fuel cell development efforts and will utilize the CIMS’ expertise in manufacturing process development, re-use and re-manufacture and design for life cycle costs.

Last year, Delphi and RIT received $2.75 million in federal funding for the project.

“Together, Delphi and RIT are addressing major challenges that prevent the increased application of fuel cells to increase soldiers’ capabilities, support environmental policies and reduce dependence on foreign energy sources,” said Dan Hennessy, Delphi’s chief engineer for Divisional Advanced Engineering. “This continued funding is vital to efforts that help the U.S. Armed Services by providing the electrical power required in their various applications.”

“This important collaborative research program with Delphi further strengthens the region’s assets in sustainability and alternative energy, and reinforces RIT’s commitment to innovation and our unique approach to corporate partnerships,” said RIT President William Destler. “We especially appreciate Congresswoman Slaughter’s vision in sponsoring this initiative, and her longstanding efforts on behalf of RIT and the greater community.”

“Thanks to the support of Congresswoman Slaughter, our research partnership with Delphi will enhance the development and implementation of alternative fuel technologies while also promoting RIT’s educational mission in sustainable development,” noted Nabil Nasr, director of the Golisano Institute for Sustainability at RIT. “In addition, these efforts will ultimately increase the environmental quality of our transportation sector and advance the new energy economy in the Rochester region.”