Flowgroup signs testing deal with US giant

CHESHIRE-based Flowgroup has agreed a deal for its pioneering new energy-generating domestic boiler to be trialled by a Fortune 250 company to assess its potential in the US market.

It has agreed a Memorandum of Understanding with NRG Energy Inc to initiate a trial for the testing and evaluation of its innovative microCHP products for the US heating market.

Flow will deliver two boilers to NRG for evaluation to begin. The trial units will be deployed in a facility in Texas and testing will examine the performance characteristics and the various heating applications together with installation and service requirements for the product in the US market.

The testing is planned to take place in three stages and be completed in Spring 2015. A decision will then be taken on whether to move forward.

Tony Stiff, chief executive of Flowgroup said: “Our short term focus remains the launch of our Flow microCHP boiler and proposition to the large UK market where we believe significant potential exists. We have also been developing relationships with major strategic players in other attractive markets for Flow’s products.

“This MoU represents the first step into the US retail energy market, linking up with one of the leading players in US energy, a company with considerable vision for the energy businesses of the future and one which has already demonstrated leadership in this sector. We believe that this relationship, and the US market, could have the potential to generate significant returns for the company.”

Elizabeth Killinger, president of NRG Retail, adds: “As we enter into this new era of personal power where consumers can safely generate power in their own homes, we believe consumers will come to rely on appliances like the one Flowgroup offers. We are delighted to work with Flowgroup as we create a portfolio of distributed generation solutions for residential customers.”