Voller Energy and Love UK/National Lottery competition

by Helena Searcaigh on 31 Jul 2007
Voller Energy, fuel cell supplier to the marine industry, has joined with the National Lottery to offer a day’s sailing onboard their new Beneteau Oceanis 411 Emerald.

On Friday the 10 August, winners of a ‘Love UK’/National Lottery competition will be treated to a VIP sailing day onboard Emerald, courtesy of Voller. Emerald will be moored at the RHP Marine pontoon, West Cowes for the duration of Skandia Cowes Week, welcoming on board guests throughout the 8 days of racing.

The National Lottery’s ‘Love UK’ fortnight ran from the 4 – 16 June, celebrating everything that is loved about the UK with the aim of highlighting the difference that National Lottery Funding makes to the country. Sailing is one of the UK’s strongest Olympic sports and the prize of a VIP sailing trip, courtesy of Voller, reflects this.

Voller Energy, one of the first companies in the world to produce fuel cell systems, is currently undertaking sea trials of their innovative environmentally friendly, hassle free, fuel cell generator. ‘The Emerald System’ is quick and easy to install and is safe and economical. It works by automatically monitoring battery voltage, when the battery voltage falls, it automatically switches itself on and recharges the batteries. Once the batteries are fully charges the fuel cell switches itself off to conserve fuel. It requires minimal maintenance and is virtually vibration and emission free.

Stephen Voller, Chief Executive comments: 'We are delighted to welcome onboard the winners of the ‘Love UK’ competition. Being onboard Emerald for the day will give them the perfect opportunity to view some of the exciting racing taking place at Skandia Cowes Week.'


About Fuel Cells

Fuel cells work by converting the chemical energy in hydrogen to electrical energy. Hydrogen is combined with oxygen from the air across a special membrane. The outputs from the reaction are electricity, heat and water. No toxic emissions are produced.

About Voller Energy

Voller Energy Group PLC (LSE: VLR) is one of the first companies in the world from which you can buy fuel cell systems. Voller is a developer and manufacturer of portable fuel cell systems that produce the electrical energy you need but without the toxic emissions that contribute towards global warming and climate change. Founded in 2002, Voller Energy has built considerable expertise in fuel cell systems technology for use as battery chargers and mobile generators.

Voller is a carbon neutral company. The company has received two DTi Smart Awards from the UK Government (£45,000 each) and was named by Real Business magazine as one of the Top 50 companies to watch in 2005. Also during 2005 Voller Energy Group PLC was the winner of the Power category of the IEE Innovation in Engineering Awards for their VE100 portable fuel cell system. The Company was also the winner of the Environmental Innovation & Technology Category in the Hampshire Sustainable Business Awards - sponsored by Business Link. Voller was also short listed for the British Industry Awards 2006 and was a finalist in the Growth Company of the Year awards sponsored by the CBI. Voller Energy is a NATO registered firm NCAGE, and is a registered supplier to the US Defence Procurement Agency (DPA). www.voller.com

About ‘Emerald’, a Beneteau 411

Voller Energy has purchased a Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 411 sailing yacht for use as a demonstration platform for the 1kW fuel cell Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). The ‘Emerald’ is a 41ft two cabin sailing cruiser built in 2001 and is typical of family sailing boats. She is a comfortable sailing cruiser more than capable of crossing the Atlantic. She was selected because Beneteau are the market leader in Voller’s target market (40ft to 49ft) sailing yachts, and the 411 is the most successful Beneteau model they have every produced. www.beneteau.com. Voller’s selection of this boat is deliberate in order to demonstrate the typical fuel cell use and retro-fit market potential.