MINIPAK. Handheld fuel cell power system. Frequently Asked Questions

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1 MINIPAK Handheld fuel cell power system Frequently Asked Questions Q: What is the MINIPAK? A: The MINIPAK personal power center delivers 1.5W of continuous power using a standard USB port, and uses refillable fuel cartridges able to store up to 10Wh of net energy. It is designed to extend the charge of small portable electronics (cell phones, smart phones, MP3/MP4, GPS), but also to free up thousands of creative USB applications normally connected to and powered by PCs. Numerous fuel cell powered USB applications can now be taken off grid, including flashlights, wireless speaker systems for smart phones, personal mosquito repellants and many more. Technical specifications: Q: What needs does the MINIPAK address? A: The MINIPAK addresses the growing power gap common to an increasing number of portable electronics, whereby the design of today s handheld devices is constrained by the runtimes they are able to achieve. Without changing any of today s battery operated devices, Horizon packaged its fuel cell technology into a pocket size energy accessory that helps increase runtimes, maintain connectivity

2 while reducing our dependence on wall sockets. Q: What is included in the MINIPAK box? A: The MINIPAK comes with 1 HYDROSTIK fuel cartridge(packed separately), 0.5W LED flashlight, USB connector tips for the main smart phone / cell phone brands as well as micro and mini USB adaptors. Also included is a plastic pouch for long term storage. The MINIPAK does not include the HYDROFILL hydrogen station. Q: What are the specific uses for the MINIPAK? 1. Extra run time on the go for your existing battery operated portable devices. Horizon s new development addresses the widening power gap that is common to today s portable electronics sector. New devices are coming to market with increasingly attractive but also increasingly power intense features. While batteries have been improving and energy efficiency is increasing, the overall usability and design of such devices are limited to today s battery runtimes. Faster 4G networks are being discussed making way for more TV/Video functions such as Apple s facetime feature on its new iphone all of which increase the performance requirements of batteries. Without changing any of our existing devices, innovative solutions like Horizon s fuel cell MINIPAK will help us maintain connectivity, or simply increase our power independence. 2. A pocket size power supply for thousands of USB devices currently powered by PCs. Thanks to the MINIPAK s standard USB socket, thousands of creative USB powered applications so far designed for use alongside a PC, could see their usability increased in various off grid environments. With such applications, Horizon s MINIPAK can easily become a hydrogen enabled flashlight, MP3 speaker system, a mosquito repellant, or a cooling fan to list just a few application possibilities. This makes the MINIPAK a personal power center that enables whatever USB application you need, in any extended off grid situation such as recreational outdoors or camping. 3. An emergency kit accessory offering ready to use fuel cartridges that do not self discharge. Along with communication devices and a couple of useful USB applications, the MINIPAK can become an attractive solution for off grid situations, including natural disasters such as hurricanes or earthquakes. Many times ordinary batteries can be stored for months or years in such kits, risking depletion due to their self discharge characteristics. The MINIPAK offers a practical, higher performance alternative. 4. A long lasting power supply for remote sensors (industrial / institutional users) The MINIPAK can be modified and customized within the scope of a new product development collaboration with Horizon. With a larger cartridge, more energy can be contained offering more runtime, while the fuel cell output power can also be modified. With higher energy storage levels and similar costs, the technology competes with existing battery based solutions, enhancing the value of electric powered sensors, offering longer replacement intervals and less servicing. Q: Why is it the most affordable fuel cell product to date? A: The fuel cell inside the MINIPAK is a high efficiency air breathing PEM fuel cell which is based on

3 Horizon s existing mass produced, low cost micro fuel cells. Horizon had started selling commercial fuel cells targeting consumer markets in 2006, mostly as toy products one of which was named a Best Invention by Time Magazine, entered the ID 100 list, and received the International Design Excellence Award for Consumer Products in All of these first consumer products have led Horizon to become the world s leading volume producer and marketer of hydrogen fuel cells, creating the possibility for lower cost mass production in other markets, including portable power. Q: How is the MINIPAK a more efficient solution for portable electronics? A: Although the MINIPAK s capability is limited to small devices, it is effectively a miniature scale power plant that produces electricity directly from hydrogen at the point of use. Like a pocket size distributed energy system, it avoids the energy losses that occur between the power plant and the battery operated devices that we charge from sockets in the wall. Added together these losses aren t small, as in the US alone we are talking about 10,000 power plants with an average thermal efficiency of 33%, and transmission losses of around 5 10%. When it comes to portable electronics, the US Environmental Protection Agency estimated that in 2004 and in the US alone, there were 2.5 billion AC to DC power adapters consuming 207 billion kwh per year or up to 6% of the $247 billion national electric bill. It is further estimated that 6 to 10 billion similar devices are presently in use worldwide, operating at an energy efficiency of around 50%. Q: Is the MINIPAK environmentally friendly? A: Besides contributing to overall efficiency, Horizon s new micro fuel cell system offers numerous environmental benefits. Only one HYDROSTIK fuel cartridge can deliver the same amount of power over its lifetime than roughly 1000 disposable alkaline AA batteries, while storing more energy at a lower cost. In addition, they do not contain any toxic materials and can be completely recycled using conventional methods. Replacing AA size batteries is based on the following assumptions, 1 HYDROSTIK = 6 Duracell AA batteries, on average. At 1W power output, 1 HYDROSTIK = 10 AA batteries (1 AA battery runs 1 hour at 1W) 100 charge cycles/canister at this stage, however can reach 500 cycles, even up to 1000 cycles. 6x100= 600 batteries. 6x500=3000 AA batteries. Q: How does it work? A: The MINIPAK micro fuel cell is using a combination of Horizon s mass produced PEM fuel cells and a new low cost metal hydride storage solution, which is able to store hydrogen safely as part of a metal. The fuel cartridge contains a metallic sponge that is able to absorb hydrogen and turn it into a solid hydride. It is then able to release it back to the fuel cell when needed. The PEM fuel cell breathes oxygen from the air, to react it with the stored hydrogen producing trace amounts of water vapor and electricity via its USB port. When the cartridge is disconnected, the MINIPAK s supply of fuel is cut off and electricity stops being produced. The system is simple, compact and futuristic, following Horizon s award winning product design legacy. Q: Is it safe? A: Fuel cartridges for micro fuel cell systems such as the MINIPAK are designed to safely contain fuel for a portable consumer product. Each HYDROSTIK stores about a tiny amount of hydrogen as part of a solid metal complex and with very little pressure. The HYDROSTIK cartridge has been designed according to standards for metal hydride cartridges.

4 Q: How does the fuel cell MINIPAK compare to batteries? A: The electricity that alkaline battery can supply is dependent on the power drain. The higher the power drain, the lower total electricity it can supply since more heat is generated and less electricity is produced. At 0.25W constant power output, 1 typical alkaline AA battery can last about 10 hours, with total electricity output of about 2.5Wh. At 1W constant power output, it can only last for about 1 hour, with total electricity output of about 1.2Wh only. At 1.5W net MINIPAK power output, 1 HYDROSTIK can supply 10Wh electricity and likely we can reach 12Wh of electricity at 0.5W. The delivered energy cost ($/WH) of alkaline batteries more than doubles (>$1/WH) when power draw exceeds 1W. When compared to batteries, Horizon s HYDROSTIK fuel cartridges offer 10 25% efficiency advantage on the overall energy cycle. Depending on the type of power plant being used and length of the power line, batteries recharged from the grid have an overall energy efficiency of between 30 and 45%. Separating hydrogen from natural gas leads to efficiencies of 90% and fuel cells can be 50 to 60% efficient. Even when using lower efficiency water electrolysis devices, renewable energy can be stored as hydrogen during periods of low cost energy or excess energy production, and released as electricity during periods of high cost energy (peak shaving) with superior economics to conventional battery based solutions. While refueling infrastructure continues to emerge, Horizon already developed a home refueling station as an interim step so consumers can start using smaller hydrogen devices today. The commercial adoption of smaller fuel cell products such as the MINIPAK will help accelerate the development of a more efficient hydrogen infrastructure over time. Q: Are there any social benefits associated to this product? A: Because the cartridges can be refilled and hydrogen content of one refill can be worth less than a few cents, new cartridge distribution models are expected to emerge both in the developed and developing world based on available industrial gas or small electrolyzer based refilling systems (see HYDROFILL). Q: Are there any other Horizon portable fuel cell products planned? A: The MINIPAK is Horizon s first portable fuel cell product to enter the market, while several others are under development, some of which as joint efforts with large scale market participants. Other portable power products made by Horizon include the 150W HYMERA generator under the BOC brand, which uses new portable hydrogen bottles from Linde Gas, owners of BOC, and the 50W HYDROPAK portable power supply which is in the final stages of development. Q: Can the MINIPAK be scaled up in size? A: Horizon is also already working on scaling up the size of the solutions, since they offer the promise of storing renewable energy in larger quantities with no self discharge and at a lower cost than batteries, opening a path towards independent, distributed energy in homes, businesses and other industrial applications. Q: Where can I buy the MINIPAK and its cartridges?

5 A: You can request order forms directly with as an evaluation customer. The product is not ready for resale at this stage, and only evaluation units are being shipped. The order form we will send you will include the price of the various components as well as delivery schedule. You can or scan and the signed form with your shipping information back to Horizon Fuel Cell or any of its local dealers. Q: When is the earliest I could receive the MINIPAK? A: Evaluation units are shipping starting today with some level of reserved orders, therefore one can expect a delivery up to 8 weeks from the time of order. Q: Can I order more HYDROSTIK cartridges and where can I get my refills? A: Contact minipak@horizonfuelcell.com so we can help locate a dealer near you. Horizon has developed a global distribution network for its products and cartridge refueling solutions are available close to you. Q: Can I refill the HYDROSTIK cartridges myself? A: It will be possible to refill the HYDROSTIK using a revolutionary desktop hydrogen station, recently unveiled by Horizon but still under development. The refueling station is called HYDROFILL and comes with a standard AC plug in system. All you need to do is add water to its reservoir, screw in the empty HYDROSTIK cartridge, and power on. The HYDROFILL will remove oxygen and hydrogen from water, sending hydrogen into your HYDROSTIK cartridge. HYDROFILL Specifications: Q. How many times can use the HYDROSTIK refillable hydrogen storage cartridges? A: The cartridges are designed for use 100 times, after which the cartridge will degrade in performance. It is possible to purchase further HYDROSTIK cartridges separately from Horizon at any time. Please note that the HYDROSTIK does not contain any dangerous chemicals or liquids and is 100% recyclable. Q: Is it possible to produce renewable hydrogen fuel using solar or wind power? A: Yes. The HYDROFILL uses a DC power input and Horizon has already designed a foldable solar power accessory that can be adapted to the HYDROFILL to use as initial power source. The result is a zero carbon fuel from production to consumption. The solar power accessory is available to purchase and will be deliverable starting in April. Horizon will also introduce a wind turbine option in the near future.