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                    NEWS RELEASE FROM THE

                 CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE       FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
May 5, 1995                   Percy Della - 916-654-5027


                   TEN FIRMS RECEIVE FUNDS 
                  TO EXPLORE PROJECTS ABROAD


The California Energy Commission has announced awards of $25,000 
each to 10 California companies seeking a foothold in the world's 
alternative energy markets.

The cash awards from the Commission's International Energy Fund 
will help finance pre-construction activities that could 
ultimately help the companies win energy projects overseas. 

The companies, their proposed projects and target countries are: 

*  Zond Systems of Tehachapi, windpower development in Chile

*  Cypress Energy of Encino, powerplant construction in Gambia

*  Walker Development Company of Sacramento, wind energy projects 
   in the Greek Isles

*  Optimum Power International of Lancaster, wind energy project 
   in India

*  Systems Integrated of Orange, energy management systems in 
   Mexico

*  Great American Energy Systems, Inc. of West Los Angeles, 
   natural gas-fired cogeneration plant in Myanmar

*  United Cogen Inc. of San Francisco, cogeneration plants in 
   China

*  ZAP Power Systems of Forestville, market development for 
   electric bicycles in Singapore

*  Michael York & Associates of Moraga, bagasse-fired cogeneration
   project in Nicaragua

*  Trans-Pacific Geothermal Corporation of Oakland, development of
   a 50 megawatt geothermal project in Nicaragua

"The awards are a renewal of our mandate to assist California-
based energy companies export technologies, products and services 
to foreign markets," said Energy Commission Vice-Chair Sally 
Rakow. "International trade is a two-way street: it benefits 
California  and the host countries in a common quest for business 
productivity."

Created by the Legislature in 1988, the International Energy Fund 
improves the chances of California-based energy firms by 
providing seed money for pre-construction activities in a foreign 
country, offsetting some of the advantage enjoyed by Japanese and 
European competitors heavily-backed by their governments.  

The fund, administered by the Commission's Energy Technology 
Export Program, requires applicants to provide at least half of 
the total cost of pre-construction activity. Ventures such as 
feasibility studies, market and site assessment and analysis, and 
technology transfer agreements, are the crucial early stages of 
overseas project planning that often dictate selection for the 
job.
 
The Commission requires regular reports on the projects 
undertaken. Awards plus interest are reimbursed to the Commission 
when the recipient companies earn revenue and positive cash flow 
from a specific project.

For further information, please contact:

Claudia Chandler
Assistant Director, California Energy Commission, (916) 654-4989

Jean Pierre Bourgeacq
International Projects Manager, Zond Systems, (805) 822-6837

Bradley Goode
President, Cypress Energy, (818) 995-3799

James Walker
Walker Development, (916) 988-9753

Nanda Nair
President, Optimum Power (805) 948-7747

Susan Corrales-Diaz
President, Systems Integrated, (714) 998-0900

Ted Handel
Corporate Attorney, Great American Energy Systems, (310) 826-4780

Lawrence Finne
Vice President, Operations, United Airlines, (United Cogeneration)
(510) 763-7812

Gary Starr
Managing Director, ZAP Power Systems, (707) 887-0479

Robert Tamaro
President, Tazcogen (Michael York & Associates), (510) 631-0114

Ellen Margon
Project Manager, Trans Pacific Geothermal, (510) 876-3127


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