Bosch Thermotechnik, Enatec micro-cogen (Netherlands), Merloni TermoSanitari-MTS (Italy) and Rinnai (Japan) plan to develop an electricity-generating heater based on Stirling technology. The four companies have signed a cooperation agreement to make this form of combined heat and power generation (CHP) marketable.

Enatec micro-cogen, Rinnai and Infinia have already developed a Stirling module - based on the Infinia free piston Stirling design - that has been specifically adapted for use in small CHP-systems. This first-generation module will be produced by Rinnai.

Under the cooperation agreement Bosch Thermotechnik and MTS plan to install and test over 1,000 gas-fired first-generation devices in the context of a Europe-wide field test between 2008 and 2010. This would be the world's largest Stirling technology field test conducted to date.

Building on the results of the field test, the four cooperation partners plan to develop a second generation gas-fired Stirling heater. Rinnai aims to launch a system specifically adapted to the Japanese market, while Bosch Thermotechnik and MTS will focus on adapting the overall system to the requirements of the European market. The second-generation Stirling heater is expected to be mass produced by Rinnai from 2011. The system would be marketed separately by Bosch Thermotechnik, MTS and Rinnai.

Stirling heaters generate electric energy and heat exactly where they are needed, so that no energy is lost during transport. Thanks to the decentralised and highly efficient parallel generation of electricity and heat, Stirling heaters can achieve a high overall efficiency of over 90 percent.

Consisting of a Stirling engine, a burner, a fan, a heat cell and a gas valve, the electricity-generating Stirling heating system is very environmentally friendly as the heat released in the electricity generating process is almost entirely used for space and hot water heating.

About Bosch Thermotechnology:
Bosch Thermotechnik GmbH represents the Thermotechnology Division of the Bosch Group. Together with its subsidiaries, the company is a leading supplier of resource efficient heating products and hot water solutions in Europe. In fiscal 2006, the company generated sales of approx. EUR 2.8 billion (64 percent outside Germany) and employed approx. 12,900 people. Bosch Thermotechnik has strong international and regional brands and manufactures a diversified product range in 19 plants in nine European and North American countries.


About ENATEC micro-cogen
Founded in 1997, Enatec micro-cogen B.V. is leading in the development of robust micro CHP applications based on free piston Stirling engines, system integration and connection to the electricity grid. Enatec owns various patents regarding the Stirling engine interface, the electronics for electricity grid connection and free piston applications. In this way, Enatec makes a significant contribution to the commercial introduction and exploitation of this energy saving heating system of the future. The shares of Enatec are owned by the Dutch energy company ENECO and the Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (or ECN - Energieonderzoek Centrum Nederland).
For more information on Enatec micro-cogen please visit
www.enatec.com


About Infinia:
INFINIA Corporation has successfully developed and marketed innovative Stirling engines and generators since 1985. INFINIA’s proven and reliable free-piston Stirling engine technology is at the core of the residential combined heat and power appliances to be commercialized by Rinnai in Japan and - based on Enatec licences - by Bosch Thermotechnik and MTS in Europe. INFINIA’s mission is to improve the quality of life by changing how the world generates and uses energy.
For more information on INFINIA Corporation, please visit
www.infiniacorp.com



About Merloni TermoSanitari-MTS:
The MTS Group is a leading international company in the heating and water heating sector. In 2006 the Group recorded sales totalling about € 1.2 billion; 6.8 million pieces were manufactured in 23 production units located in 10 countries; it has 7,300 employees and 45 subsidiaries in 25 countries. The Group offers a complete range of products, systems and services mainly under the brands Ariston, Chaffoteaux & Maury and Elco. The Group demonstrates its commitment to energy efficiency issues through significant investments in renewable energies and in the development of sophisticated energy saving products.
For more information on MTS Group, please visit
www.mtsgroup.com


About Rinnai:
Rinnai Corporation was established in 1920 and is Japan’s number one manufacturer of residential and commercial gas appliances for the efficient heating of water, air and food. Headquartered in Nagoya, Japan and with worldwide recognition as an industry leader, Rinnai has an extensive network of 23 sales offices and 16 production facilities, and maintains a broad international presence on all continents.
Registered office: 2-26 Fukuzumi-cho, Nakagawa-ku, Nagoya, Japan
Paid-in Capital: JPY6,460 M
President: Hiroyasu Naito
Number of Employees: 3,200
Consolidated sales: JPY235B
For more information on Rinnai, please visit
www.rinnai.co.jp

Media contact:

Bosch Thermotechnik GmbH
Thomas Pelizaeus
Phone: +49 (6441) 418 1729
E-mail: Thomas.Pelizaeus@de.bosch.com

Head of Communications:

Dr. Ingo Rapold
Phone: +49 (6441) 418 1739
E-mail: Ingo.Rapold@de.bosch.com