European heating manufacturer Baxi Innotech has entered into a fuel cell supply agreement with Canadian firm Ballard Power Systems.
The three-year deal will see Baxi Innotech, agree to exclusively purchase Ballard fuel cells until the end of phase two of Germany's Callux project, scheduled to finish in 2012.

The Callux project (launched in September 2008) is Germany's largest demonstration project into operating CHP fuel cell systems for residential use. Baxi Innotech, a Hamburg-based firm, has been participating in the project, which is seen as the practice test for the German federal government and industry in preparation for the market launch of fuel cell heating units.

Headquartered in Burnaby, British Columbia, Ballard Power Systems designs, manufactures and sells fuel cell products. Ballard is bringing its experience in the Japanese residential cogeneration market with its FCgen(TM)-1030 fuel cell product to the European market. Baxi Innotech will integrate the product into its 1kW fuel cell heating unit GAMMA 1.0 natural gas pilot production series.

'The close cooperation, along with Ballard's position as the world wide most experienced fuel cell maker, will set a benchmark for all other fuel cell technologies and system manufacturers,' said Guido Gummert, managing director of Baxi Innotech.

'We are very pleased to be working with Baxi, a strong system integrator and respected leader in the European heating industry,' said John Sheridan, president and CEO.

John Sheridan added: 'This partnership represents a win-win opportunity for both parties to successfully participate in the Callux project.'

With Baxi Innotech's agreement to exclusively purchase and use Ballard fuel cell products for the Callux project, Ballard has in return agreed to supply fuel cell stack products exclusively to Baxi Innotech for the project.

Baxi Innotech, a subsidiary of heating manufacturer the Baxi group since 2002, has been developing a fuel cell heating unit for single-family homes in partnership with suppliers, utility companies and specialist trade to meet the needs of the European market.