Opcon and Skellefteå Kraft collaborate on a new application of Opcon Powerbox technology for converting small heating plants into CHP-plants

Opcon and Skellefteå Kraft collaborate on a new application of Opcon Powerbox
technology for converting small heating plants into CHP-plants

 

Opcon AB, the energy and environmental technology Group, has reached an
agreement concerning a collaboration with Skellefteå Kraft, one of Sweden's
largest producers of electricity, concerning a new application of Opcon Powerbox
technology that will enable profitable generation of electricity at small
heating plants. The project, which is being partly financed by the Swedish
Energy Agency, is considered to have great potential, with economic, climate and
environmental benefits. 

The collaboration comes after Opcon has further developed its Opcon Powerbox
technology to enable electricity to be generated from steam. This opens the door
to a series of new applications within the energy sector, process industry and
shipping. 

An installation is planned for March 2010 on a boiler generating 12-14 bar
pressure at a small heating plant operated by Skellefteå Kraft. According to a
feasibility study made by Skellefteå Kraft, a future investment would be
profitable even based on electricity prices in 2009.

“There are several interesting opportunities for our technology in the power
industry, even though we see an even greater potential in, for example
CHP-applications in the process industry. Co-operation with Skellefteå Kraft,
who are themselves investing significant amounts so that we can evaluate this
technology together in a new application, shows that Skellefteå Kraft has high
ambitions concerning opportunities for cost-efficient production of electricity
at smaller plants. Along with support from the Swedish Energy Agency, this gives
an indication that we are not alone in seeing considerable economic potential in
these applications,” says Rolf Hasselström, President and CEO of Opcon AB. 

“Skellefteå Kraft aims to be at the forefront of the development of energy and
bioenergy. It's of great interest for us to be able to add generation of
electricity to our smaller, existing plants. It is also very much in line with
the goals our modern society sets in its environment, climate and energy
policies. Combined production of heating and electricity has the advantage of
production taking place close to the customer and thus has benefits in terms of
distribution. Our collaboration with Opcon regarding this project has so far
been good,” says Lars Atterhem, business area manager for heating, Skellefteå
Kraft.

According to official statistics from the Swedish District Heating Association,
there are 66 district heating networks with incineration plants, that are not
combined heat and power plants, in the 21-80 GWh heating range (total of around
2.35 TWh) and 40 smaller networks in the 11-20 GWh heating range (total around
0.65 TWh).


For further information, please contact
Niklas Johansson, vice president, Investor Relations, tel. +46 8-466 45 00, +46
70-592 54 53
Opcon AB, Box 15085, 104 65 Stockholm, Sweden
Tel. +46 8-466 45 00, fax+46 8-716 76 61
e-mail: info@Opcon.se
www.Opcon.se

Stig Lindkvist, Skellefteå Kraft, heating dept.
tel +46 910-77 26 52
mobile +46 70-674 84 71
e-mail stig.lindkvist@skekraft.se

The Opcon Group
Opcon is an energy and environmental technology Group that develops, produces
and markets systems and products for eco-friendly, efficient and
resource-effective use of energy. 

Opcon has activities in Sweden, China, Germany, the UK  and Denmark. There are
around 375 employees. The company's shares are listed on Nasdaq OMX Stockholm.
The Group comprises three business areas:

Renewable Energy focuses on generating electricity from waste heat, bioenergy,
systems for handling natural gas, industrial cooling, recycling of heat, drying
of biomass, treatment of flue gases, handling systems for biomass, etc., air
systems for fuel cells and measurement and monitoring of processes. 

Engine Efficiency focuses on ignition systems for combustion engines including
ethanol, natural gas and biogas engines. 

Mobility Products focuses on technology for positioning, motion and regulation
for electrical vehicles, electrical wheelchairs and hospital beds. 

Skellefteå Kraft 
Skellefteå Kraft is one of the largest producers of electrical power in Sweden,
with its own hydroelectric energy resources. With our in-house expertise and
continuing development work, we provide quality, security, and competence in
bioenergy technologies and processes, wind power and more. This means that we
can offer our customers value-for-money, long-term green energy solutions and
safe and secure delivery. Skellefteå Kraft AB is a wholly owned municipal
company incorporating five business areas - Electric Power, Electric Networks,
Heating, Properties and Communication. We also have the staff to support these
business areas. We currently employ around 500 staff and our turnover for 2008
was SEK 3.6 billion.